Statement by Jewish Federations of North America
Yesterday evening during a Hanukkah celebration, a man with a knife attacked the home of Rabbi Chaim Leibish Rottenberg in Monsey, New York and stabbed five people. We join with the entire Jewish community in expressing outrage at this attack, which is part of a growing epidemic of anti-Semitic violence. It is incomprehensible to think that we are not safe in a home, a supermarket, or a sanctuary for prayer. It is unacceptable.
Addressing this scourge must be the highest priority of government officials and communal organizations. In Monsey, elected officials have already made commitments to redouble efforts to patrol neighborhoods and reinforce its police presence. Steve Gold, co-president of the Jewish Federation of Rockland County, joined local Jewish leaders and New York Governor Cuomo at a press conference today to focus attention on these efforts.
We have much work to do in this arena. However, it is important at this moment for the Jewish community to be aware of the critical work that is already underway to increase the security of our community.
Federations across North America have been leading the efforts to secure their local communities, raising the funds needed to build comprehensive community security initiatives. These efforts, which include preparedness training and facility hardening, have accelerated over the past 18 months and will continue to be increased until the community is fully secure.
JFNA’s safety and security efforts – at a national level – are led by the Secure Community Network (SCN), which has dramatically increased capacity to support Federation Security Directors, as well as serve the vast majority of Federations and communities that do not have such a resource but are increasingly committed and working to address security.
With regard to the ongoing security situation in Monsey, NY, SCN is coordinating with national and local partners, Federation Security Directors and security liaisons as well as law enforcement. We are grateful for their ongoing support. SCN’s Duty Desk and Operations Team will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate as well.
Sincerely,
Mark Wilf, Chair, Board of Trustees
Eric D. Fingerhut, President and CEO
Jewish Federations of North America
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Anti-Defamation League and the Secure Community Network Statement on the Stabbing in Monsey, New York
(New York, NY - 29 December 2019) – ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) and the Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of The Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, issued the following statement regarding Saturday night’s stabbing attack at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, NY:
“We are horrified by the latest string of anti-Semitic attacks in New York, and the most recent attack against Jews in Monsey, NY. We are committed to surging our joint resources to combat the growing spate of anti-Semitic attacks, particularly those taking place in New York State. New York has a growing problem.
This is at least the 10th anti-Semitic incident to hit the New York area in just the last week. When will enough be enough?
It is time for leaders everywhere, Jewish and non-Jewish, to recognize that additional actions to protect the Jewish community are urgent. The Jewish community is under assault. All of America must hear our cry.
These heinous attacks make something abundantly clear: the Jewish community needs greater protection, and we are committed to stepping up and working together to do so.”
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org
The Secure Community Network (SCN) is the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America. A non-profit organization founded in 2004, SCN supports individuals and Jewish organizations through information and intelligence-sharing, security assessments of organizations and facilities, training, consultation and incident response. Working on behalf of 146 Federations, 50 partner organizations and over 300 independent communities as well as with other partners across sectors, the Secure Community Network works exclusively to ensure the safety, security, empowerment and resiliency of the Jewish people
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