Global security advisory reaches Westchester’s Jewish population

WESTCHESTER, N.Y. - A new advisory issued by the Israeli National Security Council is drawing attention among Jewish communities worldwide, including in Westchester County, which is home to a substantial Jewish population and dozens of synagogues and communal institutions.

In a statement released amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Israeli military campaign known as Operation Roaring Lion, the council warned of increased threats targeting Israelis and Jewish institutions abroad.

“In light of serious concerns that terrorist elements are operating with the aim of harming Israelis abroad, the National Security Council urges Israelis overseas to maintain increased vigilance and adhere to safety precautions,” the advisory states.

According to the council, the conflict has coincided with “a surge in motivation and an increase in terrorist activity and threats from Iranian security agencies against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide.”

Officials also noted that Iran has carried out kinetic attacks in countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan, raising concerns about potential attacks against Israeli targets internationally.

The advisory said several attempted attacks against Israelis have already been thwarted in recent days.

Officials also warned of a rising risk from so-called “lone-wolf” attackers.

The council cited a March 1 incident in which a gunman opened fire in an entertainment district in Austin, Texas following the American attack in Iran, as well as a March 3 shooting targeting Jewish locations in Toronto, where the suspect remains at large.

While the guidance is directed primarily at Israeli citizens traveling abroad, it has relevance for Jewish communities around the world.

Westchester County has one of the largest Jewish populations in the New York metropolitan region.

According to the Jewish Community Study of New York, the county is home to approximately 89,000 Jewish adults and 16,000 Jewish children across 56,000 households. Altogether, those households include about 137,000 residents, counting both Jewish and non-Jewish members.

The study estimates that about 15 percent of Westchester households include at least one Jewish person.

The local community is represented by numerous religious and civic organizations, including the Westchester Jewish Council, which lists more than 50 member synagogues and temples throughout the county. Those congregations span a wide range of Jewish traditions, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist denominations.

LOCAL PRAYERS, PRECAUTIONS

Rabbi Yehuda Heber of Chabad of Yorktown assured the community that the congregation is “in touch with the local and state police departments” and is taking “all necessary precautions.”

“We pray for the eradication of evil, and for peace and security around the world,” he added in an email to Halston Media on Friday, March 6.

The threat environment for Jewish institutions worldwide is considered “extremely high,” according to a report by the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), an international Jewish non-governmental organization.

Rabbi Sarah Freidson of Temple Beth Shalom in Putnam County’s Mahopac also had something to say about the situation.

Attacks on -- and threats against -- synagogues and the Jewish community have been “on the rise for the last decade,” she said Friday, adding that “this is simply the latest escalation.”

Temple Beth Shalom already takes a lot of safety precautions.

“To put it explicitly, when people have an issue with actions taken by a foreign government and they attack a local house of worship, that’s just antisemitism, plain and simple,” Rabbi Freidson said.

Rabbi Jonathan Malamy of the Hebrew Congregation of Somers sent the following statement:

"It is hard to know exactly how the escalation in the Middle East increases risk, but it certainly exacerbates anxiety. We manage security so we can focus on increasing meaning and enhancing the lives of our community members, our families, friends, and neighbors.  As always, we remain attentive to security arrangements around our programs and services. Notwithstanding the statement you mentioned, for us the most important mechanisms for managing community safety are much closer to home. We prioritize strong connections with our local community leaders and organizations. We're grateful for a good relationship with the Somers police department who are aware of and responsive to our needs. The sources we turn to for guidance in managing security are the local and regional civil and Jewish organizations."

Rabbi Arik Wolf of Chabad of Bedford confirmed that the congregation is taking extra security measures in light of the security council’s warning and of the global upsurge in antisemitism.

Referencing the attack on Thursday, March 12, in which an armed man rammed his vehicle into a synagogue and preschool near Detroit, Wolf noted “these are very disturbing stories.”

According to media reports, the car itself contained what appeared to be explosives. The driver was killed and a security guard injured. All students and staff were safely evacuated, media reports said.

Wolf said Chabad of Bedford was grateful for all the extra monitoring that’s being undertaken by local police.

“Most importantly, we don’t any security threats or fears get in the way of us practicing our faith, educating our children, and living our lives,” he added.

PRECAUTIONS OUTLINED

In its advisory, the INSC outlined several precautions for Israelis traveling or living abroad. Among them are avoiding transit flights through the United Arab Emirates until further notice, concealing Jewish or Israeli identifiers in public spaces, and refraining from sharing real-time travel details on social media.

The council also urged heightened awareness in and around locations associated with Jewish or Israeli life — including synagogues, Chabad houses and Jewish restaurants — and encouraged individuals to report any suspicious activity immediately to local law enforcement.

Another recommendation advises avoiding areas known to be hostile toward Israelis or Jews and to review detailed country-specific travel alerts published on the council’s website.

TRAVEL ALERT HOTLINE

Anyone with questions about terrorism-related travel alerts is adviser to call the National Security Council's travel alert hotline at +972-2-6667444.