W

ith antisemitism 
on the rise across 
the country, ensur-
ing the safety of High Holiday 
worshipers is both critical 
and challenging. As part of 
an ongoing effort to meet 
this vital need, the Jewish 
Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit hosted a pilot training 
program presented by CARE 
(Community Awareness and 
Resilience Education), an 
Israeli-based organization.
Over four days in August, 
a team of Israeli security and 
risk-assessment management 
experts held training and 
information sessions for local 
synagogue leaders, Jewish 
professionals and securi-
ty volunteers from various 
congregations. The program 
is designed to strengthen 
existing security protocols 

by teaching members of the 
community how to increase 
awareness and identify poten-
tial threats. 
Gary Sikorski, director of 
community-wide security 
at the Jewish 
Federation of 
Metropolitan 
Detroit, believes 
community 
involvement 
serves as a “force 
multiplier” for 
professional secu-
rity personnel and local law 
enforcement.
“It’s incumbent upon all of 
us to be alert,” he said. “We 
want our staff as well as other 
professionals and volunteers 
to be prepared for any poten-
tial threats.” 
The CARE initiative is 
supported by the Israeli 

14 | SEPTEMBER 2 • 2021 

OUR COMMUNITY

Staying 
Safe
in the 
Synagogue

Federation conducts security 
training program in advance of 
the High Holidays.

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CARE security consultant Doron Shalev, CARE Executive 
Director Avidov Bernstein, CARE security consultant Ilan 
Holon, Gary Sikorski, director of community-wide security, 
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

PHOTO BY AARON TOBIN. 

Gary 
Sikorski

JOHN HARDWICK

