In my previous column, I provided updated guidance to community organizations and members following the murder in Washington, DC of two Embassy of Israel employees. I never thought I would follow that up with another column addressing appropriate responses to these ongoing crimes against the Jewish community (those occurring in Boulder, CO) and now the possible aftereffects of Israel’s attack on Iran. We remain aware of the possibility of copycat incidents or that people may feel emboldened by seeing others take action. The situation calls for proactive, layered security strategies due to a collective increase in risk.

I’ve received questions from community members on recommendations for personal weapons and concerns about Iranian intelligence officials retaliating against Jewish communities. For me, this speaks to the fear that some are feeling, and I want to acknowledge that. At the same time, I want people to know that their individual risk remains extremely low, and the data of reported incidents in Oregon bears that out. I’m not denying that it only takes one person to do terrible damage, but the events in DC and CO are extremely rare, and it’s important to find a healthy balance between paying attention and living in fear.

In Oregon, I’ve not been made aware of any specific or credible threats to any locations or events. Our partnerships with law enforcement are strong, and I’m comfortable knowing that if we needed to know something, they would share it with us. In the absence of that, national organizations like the Secure Community Network (SCN) and others focused on security in the Jewish community are encouraging the community to continue gathering and hosting events. However, they also urge the highest level of attention to the security protocols in place at Jewish gathering spaces. These follow-on recommendations were released on Friday, June 13th, and highlight the importance of taking concrete steps and that organizations are aware of the elements within their control.

Reporting is a critical piece of sharing information. I’ve directly asked organizations to ensure they report unusual, suspicious, or potentially biased activity to me. The goal of this effort is to continue to develop a shared feeling of responsibility within our organizations.  If something happens or is observed in SW, it may be relevant for someone on the East Side to know. Incident reporting should be made to me by email, phone, or our incident reporting form, located on the JFGP website:  https://jewishportland.org/security.

Ensure organizational safety plans, protocols, and measures are reviewed and implemented. This may mean reviewing registrants for events, establishing a wider safety perimeter, and re-addressing protocols for entrances and exits.

The regular schedule and rhythm of gatherings can create situations where we may let our guard down – stay mindful of this natural human tendency. If you’re having a special event, please let me know, and I will inform the Portland Police or the local police department. All safety agencies are eager to be a strong partner and always want to know if large gatherings are happening, particularly those that are publicly advertised.

Consider armed on-duty or off-duty law enforcement, private security, and/or volunteer teams as additional layers of protection for events.

Outdoor events pose unique challenges that should be re-evaluated. This is not an admonishment against having them but acknowledges that they are more difficult to secure and pose elevated safety concerns. Take the time to review your plans and consider if they should be moved.

We’re sometimes so focused on physical security that we overlook cybersecurity in these instances. The Federation has recently upgraded its cybersecurity program, and I’d be happy to share the resources we’re using. Notify your IT point of contact of suspicious emails or attempts to gain access to data systems.

Lastly, training is a way to boost your confidence in handling all kinds of situations, and we know that training in one area (like an Active Threat class) creates an improved ability to respond to a variety of situations in other areas of your life. Safety and security classes are offered year-round, both in-person and over Zoom. Check out the Zoom class schedule at the security page of the JFGP website: https://jewishportland.org/events/security-training.