Security Updates
Jan. 21, 2022
Dear Students,
As we return to campus, I am sure that, like me, many of you are still feeling the reverberations of the disturbing antisemitic incident at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas last weekend. While we are so grateful that the hostages escaped, this incident is a heavy reminder of the threat to Jewish communities everywhere.
In light of this, we want to assure you that UMass Hillel takes our communal safety very seriously and to provide a brief overview of our security precautions. Our approach strives to balance the priorities of being secure and also welcoming as a community.
After the Tree of Life synagogue incident a number of years ago, we had a professional security assessment done. The assessment found that our building is more secure than many but identified steps that could be taken to improve security. We changed our entry policy, implemented most of these recommendations including installing security cameras, improving lighting outside, putting security film on windows, and installing an intercom system at Hillel. We also have emergency panic buttons throughout the building.
Through established relationships with the Amherst Police Department and the UMPD, we ensure they are aware and attentive to the unique security concerns of the Jewish community. We also rely on the counsel and support of the Hillel International Director of Security and the Secure Communities Network. This fall our staff did a security training in situational awareness, and we are planning a follow up training in responding to emergency situations. We will be considering expanding trainings to the participation of student leaders. This fall we also had a second security assessment done and are in the process of reviewing recommendations for continued improvements.
If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our staff members.
For so many centuries, Jews have faced danger rooted in specious antisemitic tropes. In recent years, we have seen antisemitism rear its head up more and more, in conjunction with the proliferation of senseless acts of hate and violence in society at large. The prevalence of antisemitism can be like a barometer for the state of society. When things are bad, antisemitism spikes, as well of course as other forms of hate. And right now, our country and democracy and world at large are in a time of tremendous challenge.
That being said, strong and vibrant Jewish community can help be an antidote to these challenges. Our tradition is one of hope, joy and creativity that asserts that we have the ability and responsibility to reshape our shared reality to be as beautiful as it could and should be. Judaism empowers us to respond constructively to fix what is broken, and all of our staff look forward to working with you to redouble our efforts to do this in the days ahead. As always, feel free to reach out to me or any of our staff to talk.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Fine
Dear Students,
As we return to campus, I am sure that, like me, many of you are still feeling the reverberations of the disturbing antisemitic incident at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas last weekend. While we are so grateful that the hostages escaped, this incident is a heavy reminder of the threat to Jewish communities everywhere.
In light of this, we want to assure you that UMass Hillel takes our communal safety very seriously and to provide a brief overview of our security precautions. Our approach strives to balance the priorities of being secure and also welcoming as a community.
After the Tree of Life synagogue incident a number of years ago, we had a professional security assessment done. The assessment found that our building is more secure than many but identified steps that could be taken to improve security. We changed our entry policy, implemented most of these recommendations including installing security cameras, improving lighting outside, putting security film on windows, and installing an intercom system at Hillel. We also have emergency panic buttons throughout the building.
Through established relationships with the Amherst Police Department and the UMPD, we ensure they are aware and attentive to the unique security concerns of the Jewish community. We also rely on the counsel and support of the Hillel International Director of Security and the Secure Communities Network. This fall our staff did a security training in situational awareness, and we are planning a follow up training in responding to emergency situations. We will be considering expanding trainings to the participation of student leaders. This fall we also had a second security assessment done and are in the process of reviewing recommendations for continued improvements.
If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our staff members.
For so many centuries, Jews have faced danger rooted in specious antisemitic tropes. In recent years, we have seen antisemitism rear its head up more and more, in conjunction with the proliferation of senseless acts of hate and violence in society at large. The prevalence of antisemitism can be like a barometer for the state of society. When things are bad, antisemitism spikes, as well of course as other forms of hate. And right now, our country and democracy and world at large are in a time of tremendous challenge.
That being said, strong and vibrant Jewish community can help be an antidote to these challenges. Our tradition is one of hope, joy and creativity that asserts that we have the ability and responsibility to reshape our shared reality to be as beautiful as it could and should be. Judaism empowers us to respond constructively to fix what is broken, and all of our staff look forward to working with you to redouble our efforts to do this in the days ahead. As always, feel free to reach out to me or any of our staff to talk.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Fine