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Tightening Security At JCCs
Since 9-11 and the war in Iraq, the most visible Jewish institution updates security for a fee.
SHARON LUCKERMAN
Staff Writer
F
JCC shouldn't be spending the money. She
didn't know yet how many of her members
had paid the fee.
"We've been very surprised that quite a few
New Americans who said they couldn't afford
the extra $60 have come forward with $10,
wanting to support the Center," she said.
In a random sampling of JCC members, at
least five complained about the way the secu-
rity fee was presented in the letter and about
having to pay another fee, but none would go
on the record.
Lis explained that $60 was assessed each
membership unit (about 3,500 membership
units are at the combined JCCs).
"Resources at the JCC are stretched and
we're one of the last centers to charge for it,"
he said.
"We really need members' help," Sorkin
added. "It's a particularly difficult time when
the Center does not have the extra resources,
and we're just recuperating from a frail budg-
et."
Of those JCCs surveyed, 21 per-
cent had voluntary fees, while for
the remainder fees were mandato-
ry.
In neighboring Ohio, Joel
Dinkin, executive director of the
Leo Yassenoff JCC in Columbus,
said his center did not charge
members a security surcharge.
"The cost of our security measures
Lis
has not been that significant and
we reallocated resources," he said.
One visible security measure
added at his JCC limits access to
the building — only one set of
doors is available — and an
employee in the lobby checks all
membership cards and greets
guests. Most important, he said, is
that his center spent time and
resources training existing staff
who now provide a higher level of
S o rk i n
security.
The Columbus JCC has about
2,000 membership units and four locations —
one main JCC building, two childcare centers and
a day camp off site.
or the first time in its history, the Jewish
Community Center of Metropolitan
Detroit sent a letter requesting its mem-
bers to pay a mandatory annual $60
security fee.
The letter summarized concerns and the steps
the JCC is taking, which includes working with
the West Bloomfield and Oak Park police depart-
ments to review security procedures and to add
additional regular patrols, deployment - of uni-
formed personnel and installation of behind-the-
scene monitoring systems.
"Prior to 9-11, our biggest security problem
was the antics of teenagers," said David Sorkin,
JCC executive director.
After 9-11, however, when terrorists destroyed
the New York World Trade Center towers —
killing nearly 3,000 people — not only the JCC,
but the entire community, including synagogues
and non-Jewish institutions, began looking at
security issues.
Months after 9-11, the JCC spent $100,000 for
JCCs Around The USA
manned security around the clock — one person
Last month the Jewish Community Centers
each at the Oak Park and the West Bloomfield
Association,
the JCC umbrella organization in
JCCs, Sorkin said.
New
York,
published
the results of a survey of
"After the U.S. war in Iraq this year [and the
JCCs
around
North
America
regarding security
growing hostilities toward Jews], we've been sta-
measures they provide.
tioning additional security personal in both JCCs
Alan Goldberg, regional vice president of the
and the Jewish Federation building," said Hannan
JCCA,
said that of the 76 centers of all sizes and
Lis, JCC president.
from
all
regions of the country that responded, 83
But the JCC has a particular concern because it
is the most visible Jewish corn-
munity institution in the com-
munity, Lis said.
"Thousands walk into the
building a day and it's not a
simple issue to balance security
with hospitality."
Some members, however,
were unhappy with the addi-
tional $60 fee. Lis received calls
from about 35 people con-
cerned about the fee. Sorkin
had about 60 calls from people
percent said they increased security since 9-11
who wanted additional information.
and again since the Iraq War.
"Nobody likes being assessed extra money," said
"It's an ongoing process," he said. "Most JCCs
Joyce Weingarten of Bloomfield Hills, a member
-
have
relationships with local police departments
of the West Bloomfield JCC Health Club.
and with the FBI, along with the Jewish federa-
Her children are teen members. "But in today's
tion and Jewish community councils. Security is a
day and age, if it's for our security and the better-
coordinated effort with all Jewish agencies.
ment of our community, then it has to be done."
"About a third of the agencies have a special
Leslee Magidson, director of the Oak Park JCC,
security
fee, and they charge anywhere from $25
said she had a range of reactions from her mem-
to
$100,"
Goldberg said.
bers. Some supported the effort, others felt the
Security: Detroit's Priority
After 9-11, Detroit's JCCs created a volunteer
security task force, Sorkin said.
After contacting security consultants and the
regional police, the task force created an assess-
ment manual that became the proto-
type for other community centers
and agencies.
"As a result, a majority of JCC staff
is trained to be knowledgeable of
security issues," he said.
Additionally, about $500,000 of
cameras and monitoring equipment
was installed with the renovations at
both JCC buildings.
A year and a half ago, the West
Bloomfield JCC also staged its first
mock security disaster with staff and
volunteers participating. "It made staff much
more aware of the circumstances and we feel
more prepared in case anything comes up,
Sorkin said.
When higher national security alerts occur, a
variety of security measures are put into place, he
said. Some of these measures are easy to see, like
where people can and cannot park. Other measures
are, enforced but not publicized, Sorkin said. II
"Thousands walk into the building a day
and it's not a simple issue to balance
security with hospitality."
Hannan Lis
12/19
2003
16