Please Be Aware
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement this week regarding potential changes to the threat environment following President Trumps press conference on its posture in the Gaza region. Spontaneous protests targeting Jewish community may occur. Please continue to report any suspicious activity to us. Please see article below and see SCN bulletin here: SCN BULLETIN: Threat of Protests Directed Against the Jewish Community After POTUS’ Press Conference.
President Trump signed an executive order outlining a broad, federal crackdown on antisemitism, especially on college campuses. The new policy directs federal officials to use “all available and appropriate legal tools to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful antisemitic harassment and violence.” It also directs all federal agency heads to come up with new means to combat antisemitism within 60 days. A copy of the fact sheet with more details is here: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Forceful and Unprecedented Steps to Combat Antisemitism – The White House
Last week, our Security Team met with our South Hills Rabbis and synagogue leaders and local police chiefs from Mt. Lebanon Police, Scott Township Police, and Upper St. Clair Police to discuss the current threat landscape and preventative measures.
So far in 2025, we have logged 24 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 17 for 2024. We continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity. Please continue to report any suspicious incidents via the Incident Report Form.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Federation’s community security director provides annual security assessment (jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com)
- US forms task force to battle antisemitism focusing on schools, campuses (Reuters.com)
- Trump: US will ‘take over’ Gaza, ‘own’ it, develop it, then make it an ‘international’ area (jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com)
- Neo-Nazi leader found guilty of plotting attack on Maryland power grid (CBSnews.com)
BluePoint Status
BluePoint installation is nearly complete at Kollel and Aleph, Shaare Torah and Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. 26 of our organizations are online with BluePoint, with six more coming online by April 1, 2025. Police boxes have all been installed at 16 of our organizations.
Our BluePoint training video and refresher video are available on YouTube. These are useful for new staff or as a reminder for existing staff.
Security Resources and/or Training
PCCD Grant Workshop
Pittsburgh, PA 15219 United States + Google Map
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Security team invites nonprofits and faith communities to a workshop on applying for the FY27 the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) Nonprofit Security Grant Fund. This grant supports organizations serving individuals at risk of hate crimes. We’ll cover grant guidelines, security assessments, threat documentation, budgeting, narrative writing and implementation.
Guardian: Identify. Protect. Respond.
Guardians take personal responsibility for the safety and security of themselves, their families and their communities. Learn the skillsets that help you identify, protect and respond to all hazards and become an Active Bystander in your community. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series, de...
Guardian: Identify. Protect. Respond.
Guardians take personal responsibility for the safety and security of themselves, their families and their communities. Learn the skillsets that help you identify, protect and respond to all hazards and become an Active Bystander in your community. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series, de...
Welcoming, Inclusive & Prepared
This session addresses critical emergency preparedness considerations for all congregants, with a focus on elderly attendees, individuals with mobility challenges, families with children, neurodiverse members and caregivers. The program features experts who implemented a practical, inclusive model, offering lessons and best practices for easy adoption in your own community. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and p...
Power of Hello Training
The Power of Hello training equips you with the knowledge and skills to observe and evaluate suspicious behaviors. It empowers you to mitigate potential risk by knowing when to seek additional help. When used effectively, the right words can be a powerful tool. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webin...
Power of Hello Training
The Power of Hello training equips you with the knowledge and skills to observe and evaluate suspicious behaviors. It empowers you to mitigate potential risk by knowing when to seek additional help. When used effectively, the right words can be a powerful tool. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webin...
Ensuring Readiness, Security and Empowerment for the High Holidays
Is your community ready for the High Holidays? Securing Our Space offers practical guidance to strengthen both physical security and personal preparedness. Learn how to implement layered security measures, keep your emergency supplies accessible and empower your community to respond confidently and effectively during an incident. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) i...
Guardian Training
Please contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252 to schedule this training.
Situational Awareness, Active Threat, and De-Escalation Training
If you or your organization have not yet had these training modules, please contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252. All can be made available in person or via Zoom.
Request Training for Your Organization →
If you need Go Bags, Emergency Safety Procedures Flip Charts or medical supplies contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252.
