Police to be extra visible at events during High Holy Days in Rockland
With tensions running high in the Middle East and a nationwide surge in antisemitism, law enforcement agencies are taking proactive steps to ensure safety.
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Police throughout Rockland County are providing extra security to local synagogues, beginning this evening with Rosh Hashana, the first of the High Holy Days that include many large events.
Officials with several Rockland synagogues told News 12 Wednesday they are glad that local police are planning to make themselves to visible at places of worship that their presence will be hard to miss.
Jewish community leaders said that events over the last year have given the holidays have a different feel this fall.
"There's a great heaviness to it this year," Jessica Trokel, executive director of the New City Jewish Center, said Wednesday.
Trokel said her members seem most concerned about the safety of Jewish people worldwide, not so much here at home. Some of the worshippers have loved ones in the Israel Defense Forces.
"They don't express so much about their personal safety, because they know we're doing our best to keep the building secure and to create an environment that's safe for everybody to come and worship," Trokel said.
Police from Orangetown, Clarkstown and Ramapo are increasing patrols over the coming weeks with a focus on synagogues and other venues where large vigils and prayers are scheduled.
Some rabbis and worshippers have taken additional steps.
Yossi Gestetner, a longtime advocate of Rockland's Hasidic Jewish community, said many synagogues now have fortified windows and doors, as well as security cameras.
He said many worshippers have also been trained in self-defense, just in case it comes to that.
"They generally have some defensive measures and tactics in place," he said. "With reassurance from law enforcement and some structural, physical measures, things will be what they will be. You have to go on and plan for the worst and hope for the best, as they say."
Rabbis and community leaders told News 12 they have no plans to cancel any large prayer events, since they are integral to the Rosh Hashana.
