Secure Community Network and ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal Formalize Strategic Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to Enhance Safety and Security

The Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, and ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal are pleased to announce a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) formalizing SCN as ALEPH’s official safety and security partner. Through this agreement, SCN will support the safety, security, and resiliency of approximately 50 ALEPH-affiliated synagogues across North America, as well as their clergy, leadership, staff, members, and affiliated organizations.

The MOA establishes a coordinated, best practice-based national approach to safety and security across the ALEPH movement. ALEPH will benefit from SCN’s network of security professionals, relationships with law enforcement, and real-time intelligence from SCN’s National Jewish Security Operations Command Center (JSOCC). Additionally, ALEPH will receive a comprehensive range of services, including intelligence sharing, threat assessments, physical security consultations, training, incident and crisis response, event management, and coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement.

SCN will also work closely with ALEPH’s leadership and institutions to develop training programs and implement best practices for security protocols. Specialized support will be provided for High Holidays security, the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), and proprietary training in de-escalation, active threat response, and situational awareness.

“Choosing to partner with SCN to help increase the safety and security of our affiliate organizations was an easy decision to make,” said ALEPH Executive Director SooJi Min-Maranda. “We look forward to benefiting from their experience and expertise.”

The recent surge in domestic antisemitic incidents, exacerbated by the Hamas terror attacks on Israel, highlights the urgent need to strengthen security measures within North America’s Jewish communities. Tragic events such as the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and the 2022 Colleyville hostage crisis further underscore the importance of coordinated security efforts. In 2023, SCN’s Duty Desk recorded 5,404 threat incidents and referred 1,619 individuals to authorities.

SCN recently concluded another successful High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series in conjunction with community partners. The series 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.

About Secure Community Network, Inc.:
The Secure Community Network (SCN), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America. Founded in 2004 under the auspices of The Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, SCN serves as the central organization dedicated exclusively to the safety and security of the American Jewish community, working across 146 federations, 50 partner organizations, over 300 independent communities, and other partners in the public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors. SCN is dedicated to ensuring that Jewish organizations, communities, life, and culture can not only exist safely and securely, but flourish. Learn more at securecommunitynetwork.org.
 
About ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal:
ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal envisions a spiritual renewal of Judaism that is joyous, love- and justice-centered, earth-aware, and rooted in the legacy of our tradition. We serve as a leading edge of consciousness, culture, spiritual innovation, and social action to heal ourselves and our world. Learn more at aleph.org

✡✡✡