Haven't We Been Here Before?

Good evening everyone.

We are all likely aware of the events that took place at Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas over Shabbat.  Thank God that synagogue attendance was low due to COVID (I just love that irony) and that those present persevered and survived without physical injury.

I follow the news assiduously.  I also keep making the remarkably stupid error of reading comments after the news articles.  (Note to self: STOP!!)  In comments after one article, many people extolled the virtues of attending such events with a concealed weapon.  In and of itself, I have no issue with personal firearms.  Conceptually, even in such situations, there might be room to discuss having a weapon handy.

However, and it is a huge "however," what might seem intelligent as a concept often does not make the jump into reality.

All of the comments supporting bringing a weapon to shul mention Constitutional rights and self-defence.  The use of lethal force in self-defence requires training and preparation.  Training with a weapon is only part of the issue.  Do the folks in the pews know what to do?  When the rounds start flying, people will panic.  Some may duck.  Others may freeze.  Do we want a situation in which one of the good guys has to make a decision with a human shield as part of the equation?  Still others may hamper the good guys in a panicked rush to find safety.  Being armed will not mitigate the panic.  A weapon will not bring order to chaos.  The presence of a firearm will not level the playing field.  It is not a good idea.

What might we do instead?

Let's start with the fundamentals, beginning at the synagogue door.  In Alexandria, VA, the cost to a synagogue to have a uniformed police officer on the property is $35/hour.  In Toronto, it is $100/hour with a minimum of four hours.  With the assumption of four hours here in Virginia, the cost for 52 Saturdays would be ~$7280.00 USD.  In Toronto, it is ~$20800.00 CAD.  Even before considering synagogue policy, there is room for local government to ease the financial burden and help organizations figure out policy.

For synagogue policy, a fence around the synagogue is a solid beginning.  Keeping people off of the property limits the concerns with getting into the building.  Beyond that, it is entirely appropriate to ask people to show the contents of backpacks, purses, and diaper bags before allowing entry to the building.  A metal detector can also go far in initial security.

Synagogue websites all have COVID policies.  Policies include advance registration for services and showing proof of vaccine.  We do not blink over having to do that.  In coming to DC, I chose my hotel based in part on walking distance to a synagogue.  I checked the synagogue's COVID policy.  If the synagogue had asked for registration, I would have registered.  Okay...what is the difference between such requirements for COVID and asking for identification and registration for attendees as a matter of physical security?

The place I attended services yesterday had only one available entrance into the building.  The synagogue was able to afford police protection.  Two people were checking COVID records.  That means that anyone with nefarious intent would have had to pass three people.  Extra training for the folks checking COVID records might be in order to facilitate reaction to such intent.

In the pews, laminated cards outlined what to do in case of a bomb threat, active shooter, fire, and other emergencies (there were also instructions for what to do in the unlikely event of a water landing).  This congregation takes the security concerns seriously enough to talk about it and to communicate with the membership.

Congregations should address whether the greeters at the sanctuary door know what to do.  Immediate action on their part can buy precious seconds for others to run or hide.

Please note that in general, I agree that the physical security of the synagogue is the concern of the board, not of the bimah (pulpit).  However, when people are scared about coming to shul, that fear becomes a pastoral issue for the bimah.  As well, given that many synagogues have a panic button on the pulpit, the rabbi is a necessary part of the discussion.

The rabbi of the shul in Texas said today that they are "going to tighten security."  Without knowing what the security practices have been, deliberate thought about the security of a synagogue (or any other institution) needs to happen before an attack.  Making tomorrow's policy based on yesterday's events is too little, too late.  When the train has already left the station, running after it is an exercise in futility.

To our friends in Colleyville, we stand behind you and next to you in support as you recover from this violation.

Stay warm.  Stay dry.

R/SCG