Jewish Federations of North America condemns U.S. Holocaust Museum attack

UJC/Jewish Federations of North America condemned yesterday’s shooting attack at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington as a “despicable” act that underscored the lessons of the Holocaust.
 
"This despicable act of hatred and cowardice at the citadel of our nation's efforts to fight prejudice and ignorance reminds us that the lessons of the Holocaust still must be taught and re-taught," said UJC/Jewish Federations of North America President and CEO Howard Rieger.
 
“This is also the fourth reminder in as many weeks that hateful attacks against the Jewish community can happen at anyplace, anytime, and anywhere," Rieger added.
 
“Fortunately, as in the Wesleyan University murder, the Bronx synagogue bomb plot, and the Arkansas military recruiting center shooting, the swift actions of law enforcement and security officials played a significant role in mitigating the violence at the Holocaust Museum.
 
“Oh behalf of the entire North American Jewish community, we mourn with the family of Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns, a righteous man who bravely gave his life to protect the lives of other innocents. This tragic attack demonstrates yet again that the Jewish community must be prepared for the unthinkable."
 
Such violence underscores the need for UJC/Jewish Federations of North America to continue supporting security for Jewish Federations and other institutions at heightened risk of threats.
 
UJC was one of the first organizations seeking the creation of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) support for non-profit institutions at increased risk of attacks and has helped secure more than $55 million in grants for Jewish Federations and other communal institutions to improve physical security, preparedness planning, and training.
 
UJC began advocating for the creation and funding of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program six years ago, which has become the only federal program designed specifically to address security at non-profits deemed at heightened risk of terrorist attacks.
 
"Since 9/11, UJC has diligently worked with the federal government to point out potential threats against the Jewish community and to work to arm Federations, synagogues, and community centers with the resources they need to improve their security infrastructure," said William Daroff, Vice President for Public Policy & Director of the Washington Office of UJC/Jewish Federations of North America.
 
"Congress has consistently supported the Non-Profit Security Grant Program. As they begin drafting this year’s appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security, we strongly encourage their consideration of these latest outbursts in violence as proof of the need to increase funding to protect vulnerable populations from attack."
 
UJC, in conjunction with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, launched the Secure Community Network (SCN) several years ago to help advise the Federation system and other Jewish institutions and to enhance security awareness generally.
 
On Wednesday, SCN issued an alert to Jewish leadership about the Washington attack, based on information SCN develops from the DHS and FBI, said SCN National Director Paul Goldenberg. SCN has also been consulting with Federations to help fortify their security, he said, visiting the Columbus Jewish Federation this week and due to visit the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford next week. The Columbus consultation, which included 100 community representatives, was the first such community-wide consultation to-date.
 
SCN helps Federations assess, evaluate and enhance their security measures. While security equipment is important, Goldenberg added, it is also critical that staff are trained to understand threats.