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Category Archives: Nonprofit Security

Considerations for digital & online security at Jewish institutions

November 28, 2012

The hackings of 82 synagogue websites during Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense by the “Moroccan Ghosts” brought appropriate responses from law enforcement agencies. The intrusions should remind us that cybersecurity is in our own hands. The following recommendations from the ADL make sense.

Read More Considerations for digital & online security at Jewish institutions

NYPD gives “special attention” to synagogues; ADL says embassy violence demands increased vigilence

September 12, 2012

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Office of the Chief of Community Affairs

Informational: The High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is translated as “head of the year” and is the beginning of the Jewish New Year. This is considered to be a time of devotion and prayer to the Almighty to decree a long, spiritually enriching life, as well as good health and prosperity to all. Rosh Hashanah will be observed this year from sunset, Sunday, September 16th through sundown, Tuesday, September 18th. During this time period, the Jewish religion strictly prohibits many common day activities such as going to work, writing, turning lights on or off, riding in a car, carrying a cell phone and other items such as a driver’s license and credit cards and touching money.

There will be an increase of foot traffic in Jewish neighborhoods during these days as family and friends are commonly invited to others to participate in festive meals. The manner of dress for males during Rosh Hashanah may include a black hat, a long black coat (even in hot weather), and a white prayer shawl with strings attached to the corners. Females may wear expensive jewelry and will be traditionally dressed in clothing of a modest nature.

Synagogues will have prayer services three times each day. Special attention should be given to every synagogue, especially during times of prayer service. Because prayer service times vary with each different congregation, it is important to be in contact with clergy liaisons and other community leaders in order to determine prayer service times for each individual synagogue.

 


Anti-Defamation League

SECURITY ADVISORY

September 12, 2012

Today’s headlines from Libya and Egypt, where American embassies were attacked, suggest a need for increased vigilance in advance of and during the High Holidays. The murder of the American Ambassador to Libya and three of his colleagues in Benghazi may have been planned as revenge for the recent killing of a high-ranking al-Qaeda leader and timed to coincide with the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. There have also been reports of protests in both Benghazi and Cairo responding to a virulently anti-Muslim video, “Innocence of Muslims,” being promoted on YouTube. The trailer for this video portrays the Prophet Muhammad as a child-molester, and homosexual and a philanderer, and some stories are linking the video to an Israeli-American. Regardless of what triggered the anti-American violence in Libya and Egypt, and who produced the highly offensive video (about which questions are still circulating), the timing of these events and the possibility that they may incite others to violence prompts us to recommend extra precautions.

It is important to emphasize that ADL does not currently have any information regarding a specific threat to any Jewish institution. Nevertheless, we recommend the following action steps – including specific priorities for the high holidays.

Action Steps:

  • Keep your eyes and ears open for anything unusual or suspicious and call law enforcement immediately if you come across something. Unusual behavior, unwarranted interest in your facility (including unusual traffic patterns), suspicious or unattended packages and strange devices should be promptly reported to the police or security personnel. Advise staff and volunteers to do the same. See ADL’s Guide to Detecting Surveillance of Jewish Institutions.
  • Ensure that staff members, including newly hired personnel, and all volunteers know what to do in the event of an emergency.
  • Review and practice security procedures. In particular, review with all personnel their role in security. Ensure that your institution’s rules and procedures dealing with who gets into your facility are sufficient and enforced (access control).
  • Make sure to use the security devices you have in place and that access controls are being used properly. For example, ensure that communications equipment and video cameras are working and properly used.
  • Renew/establish relationships with local law enforcement and discuss security. If you have not established personal relationships with key police personnel, set up a meeting to do so.
  • Trust your instincts. If something strikes you as being out of place or problematic, call law enforcement immediately.

For the High Holidays:

  • Advise local law enforcement of High Holy Day schedules and special events. In particular, communicate with the police commander of the jurisdiction in which your institution is located.
  • Ensure that ushers understand that they play a critical role in security matters (even where there is security staff), as they are often used to control access to the sanctuary and are in a position to spot trouble early.
  • Ensure that ushers are familiar with suspicious activity indicators, and encourage them to promptly report anything suspicious to the police or security personnel. Review ADL’s Guide to Detecting Surveillance of Jewish Institutions.
  • Establish procedures for keeping people out of your institution who do not belong. It is important to establish policies and procedures well ahead of time so that ushers and others who are reacting to developing situations know how to respond according to pre-determined rules.
  • If your institution has hired a police officer or security guard, provide them with specific instructions and identify someone to be their primary contact if they have questions (such as an usher captain).
  • Encourage staff, leadership, and constituents to trust their instincts if they come across someone or something suspicious.
  • Pre-event publicity for upcoming events should be reviewed in light of security. Potential gains in audience numbers must be weighed against the security concerns created through different types of publicity.

You may refer to ADL’s security manual, Protecting Your Institution, for additional information at ADL’s security website: www.adl.org/security.

Please do not hesitate to contact this office with questions or for further assistance.

NYPD High Holiday Briefing: Increased vigilance

September 10, 2012
Michael Miller addresses
NYPD High Holiday Briefing

Unfortunately, some of it sounded familiar. At the NYPD High Holiday Briefing on September 5th, NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly reported that, once again, the Jewish High Holidays brought with them heightened threats against Jewish institutions. Fortunately, the NYPD will respond with additional coverage.

Commissioner Kelly invited Michael S. Miller, Executive VP & CEO of the JCRC-NY to speak at the briefing. Michael Miller spoke of the role that the leaders of Jewish institutions have played as partners to the police and how they can do more. He also recognized the importance of intelligence operations, which interrupted the Riverdale and Manhattan bomb plots against synagogues.

Read Michael Miller’s remarks after the jump.

Read More NYPD High Holiday Briefing: Increased vigilance

Schumer, Gillibrand on Homeland Security grants.

July 10, 2012

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND SECURE OVER $3.4 MILLION TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR 42 AT RISK JEWISH SCHOOLS AND CONGREGATIONS

Schumer and Gillibrand Secured over 30% Of Total Funding For Organizations Based in New York Out of the Total $10 Million Granted to Awardees Across the Country

The Awardees Include 42 Jewish Educational Institutions and Congregations; The Money Will Help These At-Risk Nonprofits For Security Preparedness

Schumer, Gillibrand: These Schools and Congregations are Vital Parts of our Community – the Grant Money Will Go To a Good Cause

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that 42 New York Jewish organizations, including schools and congregations, have received a combined total of $3,419,184 for the 2012 fiscal year as Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Awardees. The program, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, awards federal funds to nonprofit organizations that are at a high risk of a national terrorist attack to encourage preparedness efforts.

Read More Schumer, Gillibrand on Homeland Security grants.

First look: Nonprofit Security Grant guidlines: 2011

May 19, 2011
  1. Timing. The US Department of Homeland Security released its guidance for the 2011 Nonprofit Security Grant Program and applications from nonprofit organizations are due to be submitted to state authorities by 11:59 PM on June 9, 2011. The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (NYS DHSES) and the lead agencies in other states may be able to slightly alter the due date, but that remains to be determined.
  2. New webinar date. The JCRC has sponsored trainings annually and those following the JCRC suggestions have a high success rate. The information provided will include tips on how to complete the Investment Justification and an introduction to the New York E-Grant application process.The JCRC webinar will now be scheduled for Monday, May 23rd at 1PM. We will assume that all who reserved for the old date will join us for this online webinar. Based on input from past participants, we are offering this session exclusively over the internet. Information applicable to all eligible applicants will be presented at the beginning of the webinar, followed by NY-specific guidance. You can reserve here.
  3. Eligibility. This year, DHS reduced the number of eligible urban areas (31 eligible Urban Areas in 2011 vs. 64 in 2010). New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties remain eligible, other counties in New York State are not eligible. For a complete list click here.
  4. Non-recipients will have an advantage. The most significant change this coming year is that preference will be given to nonprofit organizations that have not received prior years’ funding. That doesn’t mean that past grantees cannot apply. However, they will be at a slight competitive disadvantage.
  5. No local match required this year. The local match (25% of total project costs) will remain voluntary for FY2011. This voluntary nature will be neutral in the scoring process. Making the contribution will not create a preference, and declining to contribute will not count against an application. However, where a local match can be made, it should be made, as it will save limited resources and enable additional applicants to secure grants.
  6. Equipment. The Authorized Equipment List seems to be the same as last year. Check it out here.
  7. Citizen Corps Council. Once again nonprofit applicants are required to join the Citizen Corps Council. NYC OEM is trying to streamline the process as much as possible.Organizations wishing to join the Communication Network should visit www.NYC.gov/citizencorps and click on the link for the Communication Network. Any questions can be sent to Justin Land at citizencorps@oem.nyc.gov or by phone at 718-422-8902. We are in the process of confirming the how to apply Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester.
  8. New Investment Justification form. This year applicants will be required to use a specific MS Excel 2003 Template. The Template does not seem to be posted at this time, but you can learn more about it here.

We are continuing to review the official guidance for more information. New York State applicants should rely on the official application package published by NYS DHSES. For further information contact Dov Horwitz at horwitzd@jcrcny.org. You may obtain FY2010 guidance from the JCRC at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants and the Jewish Federations of North America at: www.jewishfederations.org/homelandsecurity.

Details of May 11th Terror Arrests

May 13, 2011

 

This afternoon Mayor Michael Bloomberg held a press conference to announce the arrest of two suspects accused of plotting to bomb a major synagogue in Manhattan. Michael Miller and David Pollock of the JCRC were invited and attended. Watch the video of the press conference in low or high bandwidth.

Mayor Bloomberg explained in his opening remarks:

“Yesterday, detectives from the NYPD arrested two men who said they wanted to destroy a major synagogue in Manhattan, and then purchased several weapons and a hand grenade from an undercover officer.

“Fortunately, long before their aspirations could take hold, New York City police officers were watching them and were in a position to take them into custody, before they could maim and murder innocent New Yorkers.

Read Mayor Bloomberg’s full remarks here.

Ahmed Ferhani, 26, and Mohamed Mamdouh, 20, are charged with multiple felony counts and hate crimes carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. In the course of the investigation Mr. Ferhani expressed clear anti-Semitism and asked an undercover officer whether he would join him in a plan to bomb a synagogue.

Manhattan DA, Cyrus Vance, Jr., noted:

“The defendants plotted and took concrete steps to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish New Y orkers as an act of terrorism”

Read DA Vance’s statement here. Read the full criminal complaint providing more details here.

NYPD Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly described the police activities leading to the arrests and commended NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence David Cohen and his team for their outstanding work. He also commented that:

“While there are no specific plots targeting New York City in the wake of Bin Laden’s death, this latest case reminds us that we must remain vigilant every day.

Read Commissioner Kelly’s account of the investigation here.

When the news of the arrests broke this morning the JCRC called for heightened vigilance and tighter access policies in a security alert to synagogues, yeshivot and other Jewish institutions. Read the recommendations here.

Organizations wishing to apply for Nonprofit Security Grants will find more information at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants and can reserve for the JCRC May 23rd  Grants Webinar here. Find guidance and practical suggestions on how to increase the security of your Jewish institution at: www.jcrcny.org/securityresources.

May 11th arrests reinforce need for heightened vigilance

May 13, 2011
Media outlets report the arrest of two individuals allegedly engaged in a terror plot in New York. See the NY Post article here. Law enforcement officials have not yet released details, but the article states: “One source said the man was trying to buy a handgun and talked about attacking a synagogue.” The NYPD is providing special attention to Jewish institutions.  We are grateful to the Mayor and the NYPD for their ongoing concern and efforts to keep all New Yorkers safe.
Harden your target now. The suspects have been described as “lone wolves.” The NYPD has cataloged over 50 cases of Americans who were radicalized to acts of violence and/or conspiracies over the last 30 months. This case may add to the total and those responsible for Jewish institutions should review their security precautions and introduce steps to ensure heightened awareness. The JCRC Security Resources webpage (www.jcrcny.org/securityresources) has guidelines and practical solutions on how to detect hostile surveillance and how to tighten your access systems.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program
. The US Department of Homeland Security’s 2011 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) will be opening soon, allowing nonprofits to apply for up to $75,000 for target hardening measures such as security hardware and related training. The JCRC-NY will provide a free webinar training detailing the specifics of the grant and the application process. The webinar will be held on Monday, May 23rd, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm and is accessible from any internet capable computer. Please click http://bit.ly/JCRCNPSGWebinar to RSVP to receive login information. The JCRC-NY has hosted trainings annually and those following the JCRC-NY’s suggestions have had a high success rate. Get more information on the grants at the JCRC Security Grants website (/securitygrants).

Ongoing threat.
In the aftermath of the killing of Bin Laden we should remember:

  • Anti-Semitism is a core component of militant-Jihadist ideology;
  • Anti-Semitism is a common tool in the radicalization process;
  • Jewish-affiliated targets may be preferable for less sophisticated terrorists; and
  • Jewish institutions may not be priority targets, but may become secondary targets or targets of convenience.

Feel free to contact David Pollock at (pollockd@jcrcny.org or 212. 983.4800, ext 132) or Dov Horwitz at (horwitzd@jcrcny.org or 212 983.4800, ext. 129) if you need more information.

More info on Nonprofit Security Grant Program

April 15, 2011

Thanks to the great work of Rob Goldberg we have some preliminary information from DHS.

  1. DHS currently expects to release the guidance to the state on May 9th.  The DHSES staff (aka our friends in Albany) will then put out the Request For Applications just as soon as they reasonably can.
  2. The most significant change this coming year is that preference will be given to nonprofit organizations that have not received prior years funding. That doesn’t mean that past grantees can not apply. However, they will be at a competitive disadvantage.
  3. We do not yet know when the applications will be due. We continue to advise you to download the Investment Justification from last year and to begin to prepare answers to those questions ASAP. This year the Investment Justification will be in MS Excel format. You will be able to paste your answers into the new DHS template.

Note that all of this information is tentative. The JCRC webpage (www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants) will have ongoing guidance. The JCRC plans to hold a webinar on the grant guidance soon after it is released.