Deseret News: Security is a necessity, not luxury, Jewish security experts say at ‘Tree of Life’ screening

As the credits rolled on the screen, the audience in Park City sat in complete silence except for the sound of a sniffle and the crumpling of a tissue. Community members gathered Thursday night at the city’s library to watch a screening of HBO’s “A Tree of Life” hosted by the United Jewish Federation of Utah and Secure Community Network.

Steve Weiss, survivor of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, was part of a panel that included security experts, law enforcement and a Jewish community center official. The focus of the discussion that followed the screening was how communities can prepare in the face of threats. Panelists emphasized the importance of being trained to run, hide and fight in active shooter situations as well as the practical security measures the Jewish community must now take. As participants walked into the auditorium where the screening was held, they passed two police officers.

The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting took place on Oct. 27, 2018, when Weiss and other members of three congregations were worshipping at the Tree of Life synagogue. A man open fired and murdered 11 people that day. The documentary includes interviews with survivors, including Weiss. It discusses the rise of antisemitism and hate-based crimes, and also shows how the community began the process of healing.

Survivors in the documentary described the ways that their lives had changed not only from losing their loved ones, but also losing a sense of security. Audrey Glickman said the clothing she wore the day of the shooting didn’t have large enough pockets for her phone so when she went to hide, she left it on the pew.

Both in the documentary and in an interview with the Deseret News afterward, Weiss spoke about what could have been different for him about that day.

“One Saturday a month, we didn’t have a junior congregation for our children. The other three Saturday mornings we did,” said Weiss, adding that the Saturday of the mass shooting, the junior congregation was not present. His son would have been sitting in the front lobby if they had.

It’s part of the reason Weiss emphasizes the importance of ensuring congregations and communities are trained on how to respond during active shootings. When the shooting in Pittsburgh happened, Weiss said he knew he needed to get out of the room he was in, and without training, he said, “I would have knelt down by the back pew.” Everyone who remained in the room he was in either was murdered or injured.

“Where I get hope is that if enough of us learn what we can do, then we can join together and really make things safer,” said Weiss.

Brad Orsini, senior national security adviser at Secure Community Network, said, “Days are gone where we can rely on law enforcement solely.” Orsini added that law enforcement does its job well, but security needs to be taken seriously. “We can no longer afford to have security as a luxury. It needs to be a line item budget in all our facilities.” Synagogues across the country, including in Utah, pay for security outside their Sabbath worship services to keep congregants safe.

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