In mid-August, the Secure Community Network (SCN) announced an extensive expansion of the threat management and information-sharing capabilities for the Jewish community. Currently, SCN’s analytical capabilities are enabled through a single location – Chicago, IL. When you report inciden…
A few weeks ago, I shared that Michael Bivins was finally convicted of charges stemming from his vandalism of Shir Tikvah, Beth Israel, Everybody Eats PDX, and the Muslim Community Center of Portland. On July 10, a jury took four hours to find him guilty of his bias crimes.
His sentencing i…
It’s hard to believe High Holidays are right around the corner. While we all enjoy our last months of summer, our organizational leaders are busy preparing for services, gatherings, and events.
That is a lot of responsibility, and I’ve long held the belief that the best way you as an in…
I had the pleasure recently to walk in Portland’s PRIDE parade with members of the community who represented several different organizations. It was a perfect day, slightly overcast and in the high 60s. I walked it last year as well, and every time parade planning comes around, since Octob…
It has been a very long road for those invested in the outcome of the Michael Bivins prosecution. Readers are now very familiar with the case against Bivins, who vandalized Shir Tikvah, Beth Israel, Everybody Eats PDX and set fire to the Muslim Community Center of Portland with people inside…
Many in our community have been following the saga of bringing Michael Bivins to trial for his bias crimes - in Spring 2022, Bivins set fire to the Muslim Community Center of Portland with congregants inside of it, shattered windows of Congregation Shir Tikvah and Everybody Eats PDX, and sp…
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…
No one needs a reminder of last week’s sad news out of Washington, DC, however, I’ve been asked by a number of organizations about security postures moving forward. It’s made me think that you, as community members, are wondering about your safety as you attend community events. I want…
