Community Security Begins with Us

Be Secure: Situational Awareness Training

Thursday, August 28 - Two 90-Minute Options: 1:30 & 6:30 PM
Click here to register - TheJewishFed.org/Secure

A program designed to build up our community security through training & interfaith partnerships. SCN’s Intro to Situational Awareness will teach you how to recognize suspicious or potentially dangerous behavior and threats, and what to do. Whether you're at synagogue, school, or just going about your day.

Designed for every member of the community, no background in security is required. The course will cover the basics of situational awareness and how to help protect yourself, your family, and your community.

Brought to you by Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley and Secure Community Network, with support from The Tepper Foundation.

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A message from Dan Cossman, Director of Operations

Jewish community security is no longer just the responsibility of professionals or institutions. It is a shared obligation that begins with community action. As antisemitic incidents rise globally, Jewish communities are responding not with fear, but with proactive, united efforts to protect their people, spaces, and way of life.

Jewish institutions are adopting layered approaches to safety: access controls, communication plans, and regular drills. These actions not only prepare for potential threats but also build a culture of collective responsibility.

Organizations like the Secure Community Network (SCN) help empower communities through education, training, and coordination. However, the most effective security comes from within, from the people who know their spaces, their routines, and their neighbors.

Community action starts with awareness. From staff, leaders, and volunteers to school parents and congregants, every individual plays a role in maintaining safety. When community members are trained to recognize suspicious behavior, respond to emergencies, and follow security protocols, the entire network becomes stronger and more resilient.

Community action also includes outreach. Interfaith partnerships and cooperation with law enforcement build bridges and reinforce a sense of solidarity. When Jewish communities stand together with others, they are stronger and safer.

Security does not mean closing ourselves off. It means protecting the openness, warmth, and vitality that define Jewish life. Through interfaith partnerships, neighborly cooperation, and public vigilance, we can build bridges while building resilience.

Ultimately, Jewish security is about people caring for each other. It is about showing up, getting trained, asking questions, and staying engaged. In a changing world, community action is not just a defense; it is a declaration that Jewish life will endure, thrive, and remain unshaken.

That is why we are inviting all Jewish community members and our interfaith partners to participate in one of two security trainings provided by SCN on Thursday, August 28 at 1:30 or 6:30 PM. These sessions will equip you with practical skills to help keep our institutions, families, and gatherings safe.

I urge everyone—clergy, staff, volunteers, and congregants—to take part in this important opportunity.

Dan Cossman
Director of Operations
Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley