By Jeff Lipton
Fourth Precinct police have been checking in regularly with rabbis and congregants at synagogues as part of their rounds, religious leaders said, adding that they have noticed an increased police presence around Jewish institutions in recent weeks.
The heightened security comes on the heels of an FBI report that Hezbollah operatives have conducted surveillance of numerous potential targets for attack in the U.S., including Jewish community centers and synagogues, and have sent videos and photos to Lebanon and Iran. The FBI reportedly has been in touch with Jewish leaders about the potential threat, though there is no evidence that any such attacks are imminent.
But local police officials said they had already bolstered patrols before the FBI warning was issued, as they have ever since Sept. 11, 2001, around the Jewish holidays or whenever tensions rise in the Middle East. "Absolutely, all [police officers in] sector cars are stopping in at all Jewish houses of worship at different times to let them know they're around," said Inspector Richard McCarrick, commanding officer of the 4th Precinct. "And we have intensified patrols in the vicinity of these houses of worship. This is nothing new [since 9/11]."
McCarrick said that police have intensified patrols even though they have seen no signs of any terrorist surveillance activities in the Five Towns. "If we did see this, we would work quickly to put a stop to it," he said. "Our officers are regularly stopping people who are acting suspiciously in the area and asking them for ID."
McCarrick said that police offer religious leaders tips on how they can improve security in their synagogues, though he added that since 9/11, many area synagogues have hired private security.
"I have been in touch with the police department and have noticed patrol cars driving near synagogues, and I have expressed my gratitude to the police for that," said Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, spiritual leader of Congregation Bais Yehuda Tzvi on Oakland Avenue in Cedarhurst.
He said his congregation is "taking internal and external precautions, especially with the children, to make sure we know where they are at all times."
Feitman said that since much of the media has portrayed Israel as the aggressor in the current conflict, this could spark more anti-Semitism.
"I am pleased with the extra police protection," Feitman said. "I do not feel less secure now." He added that he attended a prayer service for Israel at Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence last week, which drew a large crowd, and police were on hand.
Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, spiritual leader of Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, who recently returned from a three-week trip to Israel, said, "We have to be careful and keep our eyes open and be aware of the fact that at any time we can be a target. I don't think the threat exists more today than it did in the aftermath of 9/11, when everyone's awareness and sense of being had been heightened."
Temple Israel of Lawrence Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum said police have made their presence felt at Friday evening prayer services during the past few weeks. But he said the community must resist overreacting to fears of a potential terrorist attack in light of what is happening in Israel. "It's a time to be concerned, not hysterical," Rosenbaum said. "If we retreat from our daily routines, then the terrorists have won.
"I applaud the police for their efforts," he said. "But we always have security measures in place."
"The sad fact of the post-9/11 world is that our houses of worship may be targeted by terrorists," said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), whose 4th Congressional District includes the Five Towns. "We know that Al Qaeda is targeting the New York area, and we should make every effort to protect potential targets on Long Island, especially our synagogues, temples and Jewish community organizations."
McCarthy said the threat "illustrates the need for a new federal homeland security funding formula that provides funding to the areas most at risk. Long Island's emergency responders are charged with a lot of responsibility, and it's time for the Department of Homeland Security to step up and give them the resources they need to keep our area safe."
When asked about the potential terrorism threat, Rabbi Dovid Spiegel of Congregation Bais Medrash on West Broadway in Cedarhurst said, "We just have to pray and it has to be put in God's hands. Even when an officer came around to see what he could do to better protect us, I told him we have to put ourselves in God's hands."
Comments about this story? JLipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
