Synagogues build a new security playbook as antisemitic attacks intensify
Synagogues across the U.S. are having congregants train to be volunteer security teams as antisemitic assaults hit record levels and Jewish gathering places face increasing threats. Driving the news: The front doorways of many synagogues are becoming both a place of welcome and a security checkpoint — a sign of how antisemitism is reshaping Jewish life in America. The traditional practice of…
As antisemitic attacks in the U.S. surge to record levels, synagogues are rethinking their security measures. The traditional approach of hiring guards for High Holy Days services is evolving into comprehensive, layered systems. Rusty Rosenthal, a retired FBI agent and leader of JShield in Washington D.C., explains that while they are not ninjas or law enforcement, every congregant can contribute to safety.
The need for heightened vigilance stems from a 46-year high in physical assaults against Jews in the U.S. in 2025, including a deadly double stabbing in New York City and swastikas painted at a California synagogue.
The Community Security Service (CSS), a nonprofit protecting over 500 synagogues and events, has trained more than 7,100 volunteers, with 20,000 completing training last year. Secure Community Network (SCN) logged a record-high 5,409 threat incidents in 2024, a 112% increase from 2022, and helped secure $23.7 million in security funding. Security measures now include cameras, reinforced doors, stricter access rules, trained volunteers, and coordination with law enforcement.
JShield emphasizes that security is a team effort, balancing vigilance with the welcoming nature of Jewish spaces. CSS founder Richard Priem notes that trained congregants offer unique insights, unlike commercial guards. However, the psychological impact of these measures cannot be overlooked. Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz, senior rabbi at a large Los Angeles synagogue, acknowledges the struggle to maintain spiritual optimism while ensuring safety. He emphasizes the community's desire for reassurance.
The security issue is further complicated by Israel's war in Gaza and declining U.S. support for Israel, with Gallup finding 41% of Americans now sympathize with Palestinians. Pew reports growing negative views of Israelis and the Israeli government since the Hamas attack in 2023. Protests outside Jewish centers, often targeting synagogues regardless of the congregation's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlight a double standard.
Rabbi Lebovitz warns that unless the American Jewish community feels safe, the trend of increased security will persist.
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