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How Jewish Organizations Train People to Prevent Shootings
(JTA) Josefin Dolsten - Michael Masters heads the Secure Community Network, which coordinates security for Jewish organizations across the U.S. and is affiliated with the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Masters told JTA: "We have seen an increase in targeting of houses of worship generally, and we have seen an increase in targeting of Jewish houses of worship specifically. That coincides with an increase in anti-Semitic incidents around the United States and around the world, as well as an increase in hate crimes against our community and an increase in threats." SCN conducts assessments and recommends security strategies tailored to the needs and circumstances of the particular organization. In addition, the Community Security Service has trained more than 4,000 Jewish volunteers across the U.S. in how to keep their synagogues safe. The CSS focuses on preventive measures by training community members to spot suspicious behavior. Synagogues are encouraged to post trained volunteers at their entrances. "There are a lot of ways they can make themselves safer, it just takes time and commitment," said CSS executive director Jason Friedman. When CSS was founded in 2007, the primary threats came from international terrorist groups as well as white supremacist organizations. Now they often come from unaffiliated individuals. As a result, less prominent communities, like Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh or Poway, are more vulnerable.