South Jersey synagogues and community centers on high alert as High Holy Days and Oct. 7 approach

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With Israel bound in combat against militants on two fronts, and fears of a wider war in the Middle East growing by the day, synagogues in the Philadelphia area and South Jersey have heightened security to keep people safe through Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish new year.

Rosh Hashana, the start of Judaism’s High Holy Days, begins Wednesday at sundown and ends Friday evening. Tensions are high as Israel is under attack from Iran, and Monday, Oct. 7, will mark one year since Hamas’ brutal attack. Local Jewish leaders want to ensure their communities are protected, and security will be visible at synagogues and Jewish community centers throughout the region.

“We’re in constant communication with local, county and state law enforcement, as well as federal partners,” said Bud Monaghan, executive director of security for the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. “We also work in cooperation with other community security programs throughout the region and throughout the country.”

Monaghan says security for them means much more than just a guard at the door, and these latest efforts are a continuation of hardening their facilities to prevent any potential attacks.

“As we currently stand, we feel confident that there is no imminent threat to the community, however, we always operate in a posture as if there was a threat,” said Monaghan.

“It’s not something that just started today or last week or last year. The community had been in a constant state of preparedness, especially post-Tree of Life, the massacre in Pittsburgh.”

He says the High Holy Days are a joyous time, and everyone has the right to feel safe as they gather to celebrate with friends and family, which is why staff members are trained to react and respond to any situation.