Nothing is more critical than the safety and well-being of our communities. The Jewish Federation provides resources for communal security in order to identify and proactively address potential safety threats in our region, and to engage everyone in the effort to be trained and prepared.
Since our 1901 founding, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has centralized resources to provide an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Today, with a rise in extremism, terrorism and violence — often targeting Jewish institutions like synagogues, JCCs, camps, day schools and Jewish Federations — that supportive infrastructure has evolved to include tools that help create a safe environment for our communities.
Our strategy is one of security awareness, information sharing, training, close communication with local law enforcement, and partnerships with national organizations charged with keeping Jewish communities and other institutions safe.
CONNECTING TO A STRONG NATIONAL NETWORK
The Secure Community Network (SCN) is the first national nonprofit organization dedicated to homeland security specifically on behalf of the American Jewish community. An initiative of the Jewish Federations of North American and the Conference of Presidents of the Major American Jewish Organizations, SCN has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a national model for information sharing and preventative security.
SCN connects Jewish communities across the U.S. to local, state and federal law enforcement — helping us develop channels of communication — as well as connects Jewish Federations to one another for fast and reliable information sharing. In times of calm, SCN’s security professionals help us review our security infrastructure, protocols and preparedness and make recommendations for enhancements. In the event of a crisis, SCN sends consultants to help communities prepare for, resolve, or recover from an unfortunate situation.
Incident Reporting Form (IRF)
The Secure Community Network (SCN) has created an Incident Reporting Form (IRF) to standardize an online form for the public to use to report threats, incidents, or suspicious activity related to Jewish organizations, facilities, or community members. The IRF was developed following an extensive review of suspicious activity reporting forms, and coordination with security professionals and our partners in law enforcement and homeland security. To learn more submit an IRF, click here.
DIRECTOR OF SECURITY
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Director of Security Scott Kerns assists with security initiatives throughout the five-county region and acts as an advisor to community agencies, day schools and synagogues. He also serves as lead liaison with all local, state and federal law enforcement and as the main point of contact in the event of an incident.
Resources for Organizations & Synagogues
For questions about security training, threat assessments, grant-writing support to attain nonprofit security grants or any other communal security requests, please contact security@jewishphilly.org. You can also access security resources by clicking here.
REAL-TIME EMERGENCY ALERTS
In the event of a true security emergency, we use a notification system called SCN Alert to relay crucial information to our executive leadership within the community at the touch of a button. Our alerts go out instantly via text, email, and phone to agencies across the Jewish Federation’s four campuses, partner organizations, synagogues, and other Jewish institutions and community organizations with necessary and up-to-date information.
combating antisemitism
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is here to secure and safeguard the community by proactively preparing for and immediately responding to incidents of antisemitism and hate. Learn more about how we are combating antisemitism by clicking here.
FIND OUT MORE
To learn more about communal security, contact security@jewishphilly.org.