As the High Holy Days arrive, safety is a top priority with the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack by Hamas in Israel falling during the holidays and antisemitism on the rise. Jewish organizations and local law enforcement are planning to insure the community is safe as they celebrate the Jewish new year and other holidays.

With four months until it celebrates 10 years, JFC Security, LLC, a community security initiative, has become the “gold standard” across the country. In 2013, former FBI agent Jim Hartnett was hired to serve as director of community-wide security for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s security provider.

Audrey Glickman’s active shooter attack, prevention and preparedness training was essential to her survival during the 2018 Pittsburgh Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue shooting, she told the Cleveland Jewish News.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s security provider, JFC Security, LLC, launched a new security training series with a lively group participating in its “Run-Hide-Fight: Active Shooter Response” training on March 21.

Antisemitism, resources and security were some of the topics discussed at a March 8 roundtable with leaders in the Cleveland Jewish community and members of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood.

Helping to keep our community safe is one of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s top priorities. Through our security provider, JFC Security, LLC, we are continuously exploring new ways to enhance our community’s ability to combat hatred targeting the Jewish community. Since its humble beginning in 2013, JFC Security has become the gold standard of community security initiatives across the country.

With antisemitic incidents on the rise, especially since the Oct. 7 Hamas surprise attack on Israel, the Northeast Ohio Jewish community and local law enforcement have remained on high alert.

The First 7 Minutes is a seminar offered by Israel's most experienced paramedics and instructors to provide communities with the tools they need to stay safe and save lives in the chaotic period between an armed attack and the seven minutes it typically takes for EMTs and other first responders to arrive to the scene.

Dreaming of the matzoh balls and challah that follow Yom Kippur, safety is the last thing congregants should be worried about during the High Holy Days.

Community members and local Jewish professionals took part in a life-saving training program called “First 7 Minutes” June 22 at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood.