world Balancing Act After Santa Monica bombing, synagogues ponder openness vs. security. Sue Fishkoff Jewish Telegraphic Agency that Hirsch knew he would be welcomed as a fellow Jew, with few questions asked. "He felt comfortable enough to come into a community that offered him shel- ter and offered him money because the Orthodox community is very hospitable and takes care of its own:' said Rabbi Sruly Wolf of Cleveland Heights. San Francisco N obody thought much about the shabby but quiet middle- aged man who showed up at an Orthodox study hall in suburban Cleveland. Locked Doors But when police came April 11 and Churches traditionally have arrested the man, Ron Hirsch, 60, on kept their doors unlocked charges of setting off a bomb next to the round the clock on the Chabad synagogue in Santa Monica, Calif., principle that the house of it sent shock waves throughout the Jewish God should be open to all, community. but few U.S. synagogues It also raised the question of how Jewish follow that practice over institutions should balance openness with concerns about everything security. from petty vandalism and "You want people to feel safe, but Torah thefts to anti-Semitic still welcome," said Howard Lesner, attacks. executive director of Sinai Temple, a large At the same time, some Conservative congregation in downtown rabbis fear that overdoing Los Angeles. security will keep away Jewish institutions in the United States precisely those unaffiliated Jews they want have beefed up security since 9-11, fol- to attract. lowing the lead of Israeli embassies "We should not send the message to around the world as well as synagogues a Jew that walking into the synagogue is and Jewish centers in Europe and South dangerous," Eliezrie told JTA. America. But measures designed to A year ago, he said, half a dozen unfa- thwart terrorists can make worshipers feel miliar young men walked into his syna- uncomfortable and newcomers unwel- gogue right before Saturday morning ser- come. No one wants to pray in a fortress, vices. He went to the lobby to check them religious leaders say. out — "I was welcoming, but wondering," "It's a dilemma we face every day," said he recalls — and learned that they were Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie, director of Chabad being initiated into a Jewish fraternity and of Yorba Linda, Calif. had to visit five Chabad centers on one Cleveland-area Jews were particularly Shabbat. disturbed that Hirsch, a transient who Eliezrie invited them in for kiddush and often slept near the Santa Monica Chabad wouldn't let them leave until they listened shul and asked for handouts at Jewish to his 6-year-old grandson pontificate on doors, sought out an Orthodox neighbor- the weekly Torah portion. If I would have hood when he fled Los Angeles for Ohio overreacted, I would have driven them on April 8. Those interviewed surmised away," he said. Eliezrie said metal detectors and secu- "It looks very pretty, but we did it on rity guards do more harm than good — purpose," Rabbi Gary Glickstein said. but he's in a quiet suburb. Those in the big "There is just one entrance, so we can con- city, where transients are more common, trol access!" have more to worry about, he acknowl- edged. Public Events Over the last 10 years, security around Glickstein said it has the optimal balance and inside Detroit area congregations has between security and openness. been upgraded, with most Beginners' services, also called learners' outside doors locked and minyans, are particularly confounding visitors directed to offices. for security concerns because they are The Jewish Federation of consciously trying to attract newcomers Metropolitan Detroit has a rather than congregants who know each security professional and other. committees to advise area "Too much security and people Jewish institutions. get turned away:' said Rabbi Yitzchak But few organizations Rosenbaum, associate director of the in the nation go to the National Jewish Outreach Program, which lengths of Sinai Temple, sponsors services for unaffiliated Jews a large Conservative throughout the United States. "We have synagogue in the heart of beginners' services, so that means you downtown Los Angeles, have all kinds of strange people walking where all visitors are in." screened, wanded and The key, he says, is to keep tight secu- eyeballed by a bevy of security person- rity outside and a discrete watchfulness nel. Members of the congregation get a inside. special decal allowing them to park in the "We have a committee of lay leaders building's secure parking lot. The temple who keep an eye out to make sure nothing employs a full-time security director and untoward occurs:' Rosenbaum said. brings in nearly three dozen guards for In general, rabbis say, worshipers who High Holiday services that draw upward seem suspicious have to be watched, but of 5,000 people. discretely, so they and everyone else in "On Shabbat we have 1,000 people at the room is unaware of the surveillance. services," Lesner said. "More than half Eliezrie says no one would be denied of them are not members. They're all access to the kiddush or not counted in a screened, but we do it in a dignified man- minyan because of such suspicions. ner. I've never had anyone refuse and walk 'A human being is a human being:' away. Eliezrie said, adding that he's never had to Temple Beth Sholom, a large Reform ask someone to leave his synagogue. "I'm synagogue in Miami Beach, Fla., also runs going to treat everyone with respect. "I a tight ship. The synagogue was rebuilt have to welcome him in and just wonder four years ago, and a perimeter wall of a little bit." 1 Jerusalem stone was constructed around the building. See related story on page 5 All visitors to L.A.'s Sinai temple are screened, wanded and eyeballed. Office Suites For Lease ... sell Downtown Royal Oak - 41111111-wrik - 11 ,00-41., 14 4 mow a Full service office space available for attorneys and other professionals. Offices are 10' 6" x 12: up to 15'10" x 11'9" with additional space in common area offices for clerical staff. 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