The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is horrified by the antisemitic terrorist shooting in Australia.
This was a deliberate terrorist act targeting the Jewish community in Sydney as they celebrated the first night of Chanukah – an act that must be loudly and clearly called out as antisemitism.
The security of the Jewish community is the top priority of Jewish Federations across North America. All Jewish Federations and their community security initiatives are on full alert for the Chanukah celebrations in their communities, working with all our law enforcement partners.
We mourn those killed in this horrific shooting, send our comforts to their families, and wish a speedy and full recovery to the injured.
Our community will never retreat in the face of hatred, and will never refrain from carrying on our Jewish traditions. Rather, we will use every tool at our disposal to make sure our communities are safe and that our lights burn all the brighter.
Joint Statement from Jewish Federations, ADL, SCN, CSS, and CSI
In light of the horrific shootings that took place today in Sydney, Australia, at an event celebrating the first night of Chanukah, Jewish Federations of North America, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Secure Community Network (SCN), Community Security Service (CSS), and Community Security Initiative (CSI) of New York strongly urge all Jewish organizations that are hosting events in the coming days to undertake the following actions:
- Ensure awareness and coordination with law enforcement and the Jewish Community Security Initiative and/or security professional servicing your community or region.
- Extend the protections or security of your event’s/facility’s perimeter as far as possible
- Only open events to identifiable individuals and pre-screened invitation lists (e.g., no mass emails to the broad public)
- Particularly for events open to the public, require registration and verification of registrants
- Provide details of location, time, and other information only upon confirmed registration
- Have access control (locks and entrance procedures) to only allow known, confirmed registrants/attendees into the facility/event
- Remain vigilant and report suspicious activity
- Add armed on-duty or off-duty law enforcement, private security, and/or volunteer teams as additional layers of protection wherever possible.
This new Community Guide for Event Security offers organizers practical, checklist-based steps for risk assessment and safety. To receive support or a volunteer team for your event from CSS, please request here. We will continue to actively monitor events and proactively share any relevant information.
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About the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Since 1901, the Jewish Federation 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 annually invest in caring for those in need, combating antisemitism and global crisis, and securing a vibrant Jewish future. For more information, please visit: jewishphilly.org.
About the Secure Community Network
The Secure Community Network (SCN), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America. Founded in 2004 under the auspices of Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, SCN serves as the central organization dedicated exclusively to the safety and security of the American Jewish community. SCN is an official partner of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Learn more at securecommunitynetwork.org.