In the wake of the shootings targeting Jewish institutions, many in our community are feeling frightened, angry, and asking questions about their safety. These reactions are understandable and deserve clear information.

Moments like these also prompt important questions about how Jewish institutions are protected and the role that the Jewish Security Network (JSN) plays in safeguarding our community.

Responding to the Recent Synagogue Shootings

While we cannot comment on specific details of any cases so as not to jeopardize the investigation or potential arrests, we want the community to understand how JSN has been involved following the three synagogue shootings:

• Rapid co-ordination with law enforcement: In each incident, JSN was on the scene to assist the affected institutions assess the situation, help with communications, and support the security action plans.
• Supporting the investigation: JSN is supporting law enforcement investigations by reviewing and sharing camera footage and providing online intelligence monitoring.
• Progress in the investigation: We’re seeing positive developments in the ongoing investigation to identify those responsible and hold them accountable, as seen in the recent arrest by Toronto Police in relation to the shooting at a Jewish-owned restaurant.
• Security investments in place: Two of the three facilities have applied to JSN for financial, physical, and operational security upgrades. The third is now in the process of doing the same. These investments go a long way to deterring threats, protecting lives, and ensuring that if an incident does occur, high-quality evidence is available to support police investigations.

How JSN Works and What Has Been Built

Effective security systems identify threats, thwart incidents, and support investigations. Some of the essential components of community security include intelligence monitoring, reporting, and responding through a centralized security operations centre; community training and deployment; and strong working relationships with law enforcement.

JSN is an independent entity that was created to build a strong co-ordinated community security network across Jewish institutions in the GTA. It is modelled after similar organizations that have protected other Diaspora communities around the world for decades. In less than two years, JSN has made advancements at an incredible pace:

• Dedicated intelligence gathering and threat monitoring: JSN maintains a dedicated research and intelligence function. We use Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools to monitor emerging threats and conduct online investigations. JSN works closely with law enforcement at all levels to identify, prevent, and respond to emerging threats to our community.
• Centralized monitoring and rapid response systems: JSN operates a 24/7 security operations centre (SOC) that connects participating institutions to a co-ordinated Jewish security network. The SOC sources information on suspicious activity, monitors security cameras, and rapidly dispatches responses across the community when needed. Eleven institutions are connected to the SOC and an additional 15 will be connected within the next three months.
• Professional security assessments and facility upgrades: JSN deploys trained security professionals to assess vulnerabilities at community facilities and guide institutions through physical, process, and technology upgrades. Seventy-three grants have been issued to the value of $3.4 million. UJA funds JSN operations and many community facility upgrades.
• Supporting grant writing for government funding: JSN helps institutions write and apply for government funding for their security needs. While government funding exists, it has been difficult to access. We have not waited for government funding to make our community safer thanks to UJA funding.
• Community reporting tools: JSN has selected and disseminated a smartphone mobile panic button and reporting app to quickly and easily report suspicious activity or incidents. More than 350 teachers, staff, and stakeholders across numerous community institutions are connected using the app.
• Expanded community engagement: JSN has hosted presentations and briefings for partner organizations and led multi-agency emergency preparedness exercises.
• Community training programs: JSN has trained more than 800 community members in various programs designed to help recognize, report, and respond to potential threats.

Together, these capabilities strengthen our community’s ability to respond quickly and effectively when incidents occur. Over time, we will work to co-ordinate security beyond Toronto and connect all Canadian Jewish communities across one security network.

Police Presence

While community security relies on its members to identify that which is out of the ordinary, the ability to react quickly is key to minimizing casualties in the event of an incident. Police presence is part of the JSN recommendation to large Jewish institutions, working in concert with volunteers.

National Structure

Together with CSN (Montreal) and WSN (Vancouver), JSN is part of a coast-to-coast security alliance developed to help protect Jews in all Canadian communities.

The Role of the Community (Your Role)

Professional security, technology, and law enforcement partnerships are critical to protecting Jewish institutions, but security is strongest when the entire community is engaged and galvanized into action. Here are ways you can strengthen the safety of Jewish spaces:

1. Get trained. JSN offers three levels of “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” training. These programs provide practical tools to help recognize, report, and respond to potential threats. Links to register:
   1. Security Awareness: JSN Security Awareness Training
   2. Community Watch Training: JSN Community Watch Training
   3. Protector Security Course: JSN Protector Security Training
2. Become a facility champion. Facility champions are members who push and facilitate JSN audits, upgrades, and the connection for their facility. If you would like to help move security initiatives forward at your synagogue, school, or community facility, please contact Ilya Volkov, Director of Facility Security, at [email protected].
3. Report suspicious activity. You are an expert in your community. If you see something suspicious, report it by calling the police at 911 first, then JSN by calling (437) 222- 3999.

Jewish life should be lived proudly, not fearfully. JSN and you make that possible. By bringing together intelligence, technology, security experts, trained community, and law enforcement into one co-ordinated system, we identify threats early, strengthen our institutions, and act when it matters most.

See Something. Say Something. Do Something.

For those who like to see success by the numbers, please see the schedule of achievements below. The progress is impressive. Kudos to the JSN team!

Register to receive JSN Security Bulletins that provide community updates and information regarding current JSN initiatives.

Michael Buckstein
Chair

 

Plan	Year-End Target	To Date	Past Four Months
Community Watch volunteers trained	630	495	+124
Protectors trained	250	146	+35
Deliver education director and staff training courses	30	14	+2
Conduct security audits - schools and summer camps	63	42	+5
Conduct security audits - synagogues	80	57	+24
Conduct security audits - community institutions and businesses	10	8	+2
JSN Grant Allocated - schools	38	22	+13
JSN Grant Allocated - camps	20	8	+2
JSN Grant Allocated - synagogues	90	40	+25
JSN Grant Allocated - JCCs	3	4	+2
Implement standard operating procedures for securing schools and camps	56	53	+5
Implement standard operating procedures for securing synagogues	70	54	+21