The Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America, in partnership with Jewish Federations of North America, has released two newly updated guides to strengthen security and preparedness for event planning.
  

The guides come in the wake of deadly attacks targeting Jewish gatherings in Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colorado. As synagogues, schools, and institutions enter a busy season of events and celebrations, communities are also facing a disturbing trend of organized attempts to disrupt Jewish life, including incidents in New York and Los Angeles that have blocked access to facilities, interfered with programming, and even disrupted activities once inside.
 

The new Community Guide for Event Security provides volunteer organizers and lay leaders with practical steps to build additional safety layers into their planning. The updated Security Professional Guide for Event Security offers advanced tools for trained teams. Both resources include interactive checklists covering essentials such as risk assessment, perimeter safety, access and egress, and emergency response planning.
 

“Jewish Federations are on the front lines of combating antisemitism and keeping our communities safe, which is why we built out a professional security initiative in every single Federation community across North America,” said Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America. “With antisemitism at historically alarming levels, we know there is always more work to be done, and these guides are an important tool for both security professionals and Jewish organizers to ensure we can allow our communities to flourish in safety and security.” 

“The recent deadly attacks targeting communal life are sobering reminders that prioritizing safety and preparation is non-negotiable for remaining open and welcoming, particularly during this season of joy,” said Michael Masters, SCN National Director & CEO. “These resources, developed with security professionals and community leaders, provide practical, low- and no-cost solutions helping faith-based organizations of all sizes ask the right questions to plan safe and welcoming events.” 

The new Community Guide for Event Security is designed for lay leaders and volunteer organizers. Its interactive checklist helps teams determine whether an event is low, moderate, or high risk and outlines the corresponding steps needed for effective preparation, including coordinating with local law enforcement.
 

The updated Security Professional Guide for Event Security equips security professionals and partner agencies with guidance on gathering key data, strengthening safety procedures, and proactively managing risk to anticipate threats. The guide is fully adaptable for events of different sizes and complexity.
 

Both guides reflect current, collaborative input from security professionals, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations nationwide. They draw on SCN’s ongoing efforts to address emerging threats and provide clear, actionable frameworks for assessing and managing risk.
 

SCN urges all Jewish community organizations to review these materials and work with law enforcement and security professionals ahead of events to maintain the highest standards of safety and preparedness, in accordance with SCN’s National Jewish Community Security Standards (NJCSS). SCN strongly recommends that event organizers always consult with their local or regional Jewish security professional early in the planning process.