ICYMI: SCN Focuses on Resilience and Safety for the High Holidays and the 07 October Anniversary

This week marks one year since the 07 October Hamas terror attacks across Israel—which includes acts of terror and savagery that have profoundly impacted Jewish communities worldwide. While we have faced unimaginable pain – and continue to with hostages that remain in captivity, families in mourning, and acts of harassment, intimidation, and violence around the world targeted at the Jewish people – we have emerged stronger and more united in our commitment to vibrant Jewish life.

As we commemorate the one-year mark since the darkest day in our history since the Holocaust and continue through the High Holiday season, we do so with light. The Secure Community Network (SCN) has been diligently working to be a part of the light, and ensure the safety of our communities through vigilance and coordination with law enforcement, which is central to our daily efforts.

In preparation for the High Holidays, NBC News visited SCN’s Jewish Security Operations Command Center and highlighted SCN’s work in providing security support to Jewish institutions in collaboration with community partners and law enforcement agencies. SCN’s National Director and CEO Michael Masters also penned an op-ed reflecting on the anniversary of the 07 October Hamas terror attacks and SCN’s role in preparing communities for the heightened security threats we currently face.

Additionally, we were proud to conclude another successful High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series, which attracted over 14,500 registrants and provided essential guidance, training, and resources to help Jewish communal leaders, volunteers, and community members enhance their preparedness and resilience during the most sacred time of the year.

October 7 Has Reached U.S. Soil, As Violence Against American Jews Is Surging — Opinion

One month after October 7 last year, a Jewish man in Los Angeles was killed by a pro-Palestinian protester during a pro-Palestinian rally. In August, a Jewish man was stabbed outside a synagogue in Brooklyn while the perpetrator yelled “Free Palestine” and “Do you want to die?” In September, a 20-year-old Pakistani citizen was arrested for allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired mass terrorist attack targeting Jewish people in New York City. The attack was planned for October 7, 2024. Students at dozens of colleges have been harassed, threatened, and assaulted on campus by protesters. A student at Cornell University was sentenced to prison for making online posts that included “if you see a jewish ‘person’ on campus … slit their throat” and threatening to rape, torture, and throw Jewish women off a roof.

As we reach the anniversary of the October 7 mega-atrocity by Hamas, we need Americans from all walks of life to support our community. We need pressure applied, especially to university leaders, who tolerate violence and illegal encampments. We need people, if they see something, to say something to law enforcement. We need those with authority to prosecute people who engage in hate crimes.

Nonprofit Works To Track Antisemitic Threats Ahead Of Jewish Holidays

The Secure Community Network (SCN), a Chicago-based nonprofit, is working to track antisemitic threats as the Jewish High Holidays are underway. Out of a control center in Chicago, SCN works to protect the more than 7.5 million members of the Jewish community nationwide by tracking threats. With direct lines to the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and state and local law enforcement agencies, this 24/7 operation scrapes data from 18,000 sources — everything from social media to the dark web to utilities.

Michael Masters, SCN National Director and CEO, shared with NBC News, “We are facing the most complex and dynamic threat environment that has ever faced the Jewish community or the United States in the nation’s history.” He continued, “We’ve seen an alarming trend of the language in the online platforms. Sadly, it gave them a license, and it gave them the inspiration to say, think, and potentially attempt to act on those things. Our job is to deny them the opportunity.”

Ahead of High Holidays, U.S. Jewish Leaders Stress Need for Security Vigilance as Antisemitism Surges

Ahead of the High Holidays that begin this week, a network of Jewish security experts and religious leaders hosted several webinars to help prepare for the season. Among the topics: how to respond to an “active threat” targeting the Jewish community, and how to stop severe bleeding.

The holidays, encompassing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are meant to be a period of joy and reflection. Over recent years — in the face of increased antisemitic threats and violence — the season also is a time of heightened vigilance.

Security measures have been expanding at Jewish institutions across the U.S. for more than a decade, but efforts intensified after a gunman killed 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018. It was the deadliest act of antisemitic violence in U.S. history; the gunman, Robert Bowers, was sentenced to death in early August at the close of a lengthy, wrenching trial.

One of the biggest security initiatives since the massacre was launched in 2021 by The Jewish Federations of North America — a $130 million campaign seeking to ensure that every Jewish community in the U.S. and Canada has access to state-of-the-art communal security programs. As of last month, 103 Jewish federations in the two countries had programs based on standards set by the Secure Community Network; the requirements include community-wide trainings and intelligence-sharing with law enforcement. SCN was the organizer of the recent series of webinars — including those on severe bleeding and “active threats” — offered ahead of this year’s High Holidays.

Jewish Community Most Targeted Religious Group, New FBI Hate Crime Report Says

Antisemitic hate crimes accounted for 67% of all religiously motivated hate crimes recorded last year by the FBI, up by 11% from the year prior, according to the FBI’s 2023 Hate Crimes Report. The FBI recorded 1,832 antisemitic hate crimes in 2023, a number the American Jewish Committee claims is likely much lower than the actual number of incidents, as hate crimes are widely underreported across the country. The FBI recorded 539 reports of property destruction, damage, and vandalism, as well as 437 reports of intimidation. Most incidents occurred at home, with fewer at synagogues or places of worship.

The FBI’s report carries added significance following October 7, according to the Secure Community Network, which fueled increased violence and harassment against Jewish communities across North America.

“While extremist groups, sympathizers, and politically motivated individuals have driven the rise in hate crimes, law enforcement agencies have successfully disrupted multiple plots and swiftly brought offenders to justice,” SCN said. “Additionally, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) saw a marked improvement in data collection, with participating agencies increasing from 77.5% to 83.5% compared to the previous year. Accurate data is essential for informing law enforcement and partners about evolving threats, enabling better community protection by directing appropriate resources, and adjusting security strategies to meet the threat environment.”

The historic increase in hate crimes against the Jewish community, as demonstrated by both FBI and SCN data, underscores an unprecedented threat environment, particularly after the October 7 Hamas attacks, said SCN National Director & CEO Michael Masters.

“We commend those state and local law enforcement agencies participating in the FBI’s UCR for improving their hate crimes collection efforts in the last year — critical progress that helps provide a more clear and complete picture for law enforcement and Jewish communal security partners to operate within to protect our communities and ensure dignity and justice for victims. Whether in synagogues, community centers, or university campuses, SCN is continuing to work in partnership and close collaboration with the FBI to ensure that Jewish life in North America thrives and remains secure, no matter the challenges we face.”

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