It’s likely that we’ll be learning more details about, and drawing lessons from, the hostage crisis at the synagogue in Texas for weeks. Right now, we’ve already gleaned a few things that can help us gain valuable perspective and can aid law enforcement and Jewish communal leaders to better prepare for future situations.
Heroic rabbi says, “It’s safe in shul.”
In an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (January 19, 2022), Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas stated that its been “incredibly overwhelming to see the level of support that we have received from our local community, our national community and the global community. I can’t tell you how much it means to me and the congregation.”
Rabbi Cytron-Walker also encouraged Jewish community members not to avoid attending shul out of fear for their safety, commenting: “It’s such a random occurrence, and the percentages are so low” of an attack like this happening. “I have literally led thousands and thousands of services at Congregation Beth Israel, and this was the first time we had such a traumatic incident.”
Hostage taker’s brother urged him to give up.
The Associated Press reported (January 19) that the hostage taker, Malik Faisal Akram, spoke with his brother, Gulbar, during the crisis at the synagogue and Gulbar pushed his brother to release the hostages and put down his weapons. “You don’t need to do this. Why are you doing this?” asked Gulbar in the call. “Just pack it in. You’ll do a bit of time and then you’ll get out. These guys you’ve got there, there’re innocent people, man.”
In response, Malik got increasingly angry, saying he had planned the attack for two years, wanted to be a martyr, and he didn’t want his children to cry at his funeral. “I’ve come to die, G, OK?” he said. “I’ve prayed to Allah for two years for this … I’m coming back in a body bag.”
NJ makes Security Grant Program permanent.
In a press release on January 18, Governor Phil Murphy announced that he had signed legislation that creates the “New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program,” after a successful three-year pilot program that concluded in 2020. The New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program, housed in the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, will provide funds to enable nonprofits at high risk to institute changes in their facilities to protect themselves.
NJ offers resources and hotlines to report threats.
In an email to their Interfaith Advisory Council on January 21, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Protection advised Council members of useful tools they offer, including training resources such as a Houses of Worship Security Program (https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/programs) and a hotline for individuals who believe they are targets of a bias crime to call, 1-800-277-BIAS (2427). People can also report suspicious activities to the NJOHSP’s Counterterrorism Watch, at 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or send email to [email protected].
FBI and DHS: “Threats likely continue.”
A letter from FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Intelligence Official John D. Cohen, excerpted in a story in The Hill (January 18), states: “Faith based communities have (been) and will likely continue to be targets of violence by both domestic violent extremists and those inspired by foreign terrorists.” They also said that online platforms connected to domestic extremism have disseminated conspiracy theories that link Jews to the pandemic, the results of the 2020 election, and “even the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the resettlement of refugees in the U.S.”
Responding to these concerns, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated: “We need to ensure that we not only protect our houses of worship and all places of assembly but that we become aware of the signs that someone is going down a path towards violence.”
Jewish security groups offer new tools.
The Secure Community Network, the Jewish community safety organization affiliated with the Jewish Federations, announced a new program intended to give participants an enhanced sense of situational awareness. Titled “Be Aware,” the interactive training will be available online and in person and will help people to recognize, report and react to dangerous situations. For more information on this program, contact: [email protected]
The Community Security Service (CSS) plans to debut a new virtual training called Entrypoint, to help synagogues train their members in basic security skills and how to critically assess and respond to different circumstances. The training will be one hour long and will be customized to each shul. For more information on this program, contact The CSS via their website, at https://thecss.org/contact-us/general-inquiries/
By Harry Glazer
