16 | SEPTEMBER 26 • 2019 

S

ecurity is not a new issue for Metro 
Detroit synagogues, schools and other 
communal buildings. But the coming 
High Holidays will bring together large seg-
ments of the Jewish community at a time 
when hate crimes are more frequent and 
lethal.
In October 2018, 11 people were killed 
and six wounded during Sabbath services 
at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. 
One individual was killed and three were 
wounded this April at the Chabad of Poway 
in California. And the rise in anti-Semitism 
has included attacks on Jews and swastikas on 
synagogues in various parts of the country. 
Since these incidents, Gary Sikorski, chief 
of community-wide security for the Jewish 
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, said, 
“There is much more of an awareness fac-
tor. Synagogues are much more tuned in, 
and there is more of a common discussion. 
This is not only a local but also a national 
topic among security personnel of Jewish 
Federations. There is a delicate balance — 
being neither paranoid nor complacent.” 
Sikorski provides security assessments, 
training and other resources for Detroit-area 
synagogues, schools, agencies and other facili-
ties. He stresses the importance of training of 
staff, congregants and the community. 
“We would love to have a community of 
first responders, not just for an active assail-
ant but also other emergencies,” Sikorski said. 
He strongly recommends “target harden-

ing” to avoid the threat. This is accomplished 
by making it more difficult for outsiders to 
access buildings by using specialized equip-
ment and trained individuals. 
“It’
s important to have some kind of pres-
ence as a deterrent — a person or camera,” 
Sikorski explained.
Another component is “response capabil-
ity,” which entails working with local law 
enforcement. Sikorski maintains strong rela-
tionships with local and state police depart-
ments, as well as the area Homeland Security 
office. He says some local congregations have 
armed guards while others rely on members 
who have permits for concealed weapons; 
others focus on different security 
measures.
Congregation Shaarey Zedek 
Executive Director Robert Rich 
said the synagogue has had a 
very long history of taking pro-
active measures when it comes 
to security, dating back to the 
horrific 1966 shooting of Rabbi 
Morris Adler during Shabbat services.
Over the last year, Rich said Shaarey 
Zedek’
s security task force has been work-
ing closely with the Federation and the 
Southfield Police Department to better secure 
doorways, upgrade camera systems, and pro-
vide seen and unseen security personnel for 
Shabbat and High Holiday services. Also, 
there are laminated instruction cards placed 
in the aisle pockets of each pew offering sim-

Holiday 
Safety

SHARI S. COHEN 
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
AND
STACY GITTLEMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rosh Hashanah

Robert Rich

A year of rising 
anti-Semitic incidents 
 
brings heightened 
security measures. 

KELLI DADE HAINES/SHAAREY ZEDEK

SHAARY ZEDEK

continued on page 18

Security instruction 
cards are in the pews 
at Shaarey Zedek.