The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) cosponsored a town hall meeting about community safety with the Philadelphia Police Commissioner Keven Bethel on April 7 at Politz Hebrew Academy.
During the town hall, Bethel spoke about practical methods and resources to combat antisemitism and increase the security and safety of the Jewish community. Security Director of the Jewish Federation Scott Kerns and Rabbi David Kushner, who helped organize the program, also spoke at the event which marked six months since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
As antisemitism continues to rise at unprecedented rates following October 7, the town hall was paramount in discussing the importance of keeping the community safe. The Jewish Federation is grateful for the participation of many law enforcement agencies, elected officials, and community leaders at this event, including the following people:
Col. Chris Paris, Commissioner of the PA State Police
Lt. Col. George Bivens, Deputy Commissioner of the PA State Police and Head of Operations
Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Philadelphia State Police and his staff
Council President Kenyatta Johnson
City Commissioners Lisa Deeley and Seth Bluestein
State Senator Jimmy Dillon
State Representative Martina White
Councilman Jim Harrity
Sheriff Rochelle Bilal
Rob Reed of the Attorney General’s office
Jason Holtzman, Jewish Federation’s JCRC Director
Robin Schatz, Jewish Federation’s Director of Government Affairs
Thank you to the media who covered the town hall:
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Since 1901, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments, and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, we invest more than $61 million each fiscal year to care for those in need, combat antisemitism and global crisis, and strengthen Jewish identity.
For more information, please visit: jewishphilly.org.
For press inquiries, email phillyfed@redbanyan.com.