By Jeff Lipton
These are just some of the extreme security procedures put in place by congregations to put worshippers' minds at ease during the Jewish Holy Days which begin with Rosh Hashanah at sundown on Friday, Sept. 6, and end with Yom Kippur on Monday, Sept. 16. The measures, rabbis said, are necessary to calm fears and take precautions on the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11.
Religious leaders have met with Nassau County police officials to go over strategy for the holiday period. Even though police have pledged extra protection and patrols around places of worship and religious schools, religious leaders have implemented their own private security, which includes guards at the front doors of synagogues.
At Temple Israel in Lawrence, an comprehensive security plan has been implemented as a precaution, said Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum.
We are requiring everyone to have a photo ID available, Rosenbaum said. Also, people who bring pocketbooks and they are urged to leave them home are subject to having their bags searched.
Officers and past presidents will be stationed at the front doors to greet congregants and to help identify congregants and turn away anyone who does not belong. We are following the proper security protocol, not out of fear but out of a sense of diligence, Rosenbaum said. This is the security of post-9/11.
On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, at 11 a.m. on Sept. 8, the temple will conduct a family and children's service, which is open to the entire community. But all will be required to show a photo ID before entering, Rosenbaum said.
We're taking steps to provide our congregants with a sense of security, a security that is not only physical but an emotional sense of well-being.
At Temple Hillel in North Woodmere, similar security measures are in place, but the temple has gone a step further and instituted closed-circuit TVs all around the building. No one is buzzed in unless the person can be recognized, said Rabbi Alan Lavin.
Throughout the entire year we have beefed up security, Lavin said. We have extra guards all the time.
Everyone is subject to an ID search, he said.
Lavin said there has been an increase in anti-Semitic acts around the world, including several synagogues being firebombed. Much of the acts are in response to the bloodshed in the Mideast between the Israelis and Palestinians. Lavin said, in a post-Sept. 11 era, one can't be too careful and bolstering security is a good response.
Prohibiting trucks and gas-carrying tankers from parking in front of the synagogue is another security measure implemented by Temple Hillel.
Recently, Temple Hillel officials held a meeting with its 20 ushers to go over plans for the holidays, instructing them where to direct worshippers in case of an evacuation. Signs have also been posted to aid in a possible evacuation.
People have come to appreciate this, Lavin said of the beefed-up security.
The rabbis said the measures are not a sign of panic, but rather a sign of the times.
At some synagogues, anyone who does not belong will be asked to leave, whether they produce a ticket for an assigned seat or not.
Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, spiritual leader of Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, said, I think every congregation feels a sense of responsibility, but there is no specific cause for alarm. He said his synagogue will probably not institute a photo ID requirement but a committee has gone over seating arrangements for the holidays. We know who is who and the layout and where each person is supposed to be sitting, Teitelbaum said.
In addition, he said he is grateful to police for the promise of beefed-up patrols around religious institutions.
People who are not recognized at the door, we will check their photo IDs, said Rabbi Jason Klein of Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth in Hewlett.
Hershel Billet, spiritual leader of Young Israel of Woodmere, said, We are very concerned about security and have been continually meeting with police at the highest level and we are taking additional steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our congregants.
Everyone should feel at ease, otherwise the terrorists have accomplished their mission, said Rabbi Shneur Wolowik of the Chabad Center of the Five Towns. I'm fully confident things will be fine.
Insp. George Gudmundsen, commander of the Fourth Precinct, said he has instructed officers not only to carefully watch the outside of synagogues but to go inside the buildings and pay a visit to make sure things are secure. This will allow Jewish citizens to worship peacefully and safely, Gudmundsen said.
In addition, he said Fourth Precinct crossing guards will help worshippers get to services safely and will be equipped with cell phones to report any suspicious activity.
Religious institutions across the county are getting similar attention as the Five Towns, police said. We are on heightened alert since 9/11, said Det. Sgt. Anthony Repalone of the county police. And with the anniversary approaching and with the upcoming High Holy Days, we are intensifying patrols at all synagogues and religious schools.
Helen Fuchs, a member of Young Israel of Woodmere, said she feels safe attending services, confident that police and synagogue leaders are taking extra precautions. I wouldn't fly on Sept. 11, but the day won't keep me away from the synagogue, she said.
