Magen Yehuda, an Israeli non-profit organization that provides security and anti-terror training for communities in Israel, will be visiting Teaneck on Sunday, September 25. In the face of increased terror attacks in the late 1990s, the IDF organized kitot konenut, civilian first response teams, to protect communities in Israel on both sides of the Green Line. There are now more than 430 such teams made up of 8,000 local residents who serve on a volunteer basis. They continue to receive training and other support from the IDF and from some municipalities, but government support falls short of the security needs. Magen Yehuda was formed in 2004 to help bridge the gap.
Magen Yehuda provides training to kitot konenut by former members of elite IDF special forces units. This includes out-door tactical training, tracking and lessons on dealing with all types of terrain. Practice sessions address how to identify tar-gets, protect civilians and evacuate and secure the scene of an incident. All training is provided in cooperation with and un-der the supervision of the IDF. Magen Yehuda also provides lectures and workshops in security awareness to the population at large.
With the increase in terror attacks in Israel this past year, Magen Yehuda has decided for the first time to come to the U.S. to spread the word about its vital mission. Among those making the trip will be Shuki Gilboa, a member of the kitat konenut of Kiryat Arba. Gilboa was one of the first to respond to the recent infiltration in Kiryat Arba in which Hallel Ariel was murdered. He lost an eye and was seriously wounded in the leg when confronting the terrorist. He has since rejoined his emergency response team. Gilboa will recount his story and talk about the critical security role played by the kitot konenut. Magen Yehuda invites the community to Congregation Rinat Yisrael, 389 West Englewood Avenue in Teaneck, on Sunday, September 25 at 8:00 PM. The title of the program will be “כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה — Civilians Standing in the Front Line against Terror.”
By JLNJ Staff
