(VINnews Editorial) — It’s time for all yeshivas and shuls to have a lock-door policy. It does not cost much money, nor does it require special equipment.
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It is fast and simple to set up, and the only thing required is that it be strictly enforced at all times.
It’s well-established by security experts that attackers choose the path of least resistance. A locked door can be enough of a deterrent to save lives.
On Yom Kippur in 2019 in Halle, Germany, a violent gunman attempted to enter a synagogue. He was unsuccessful, partially because the door was locked. He live-streamed himself trying, and failing, to enter. The gunman shot at the door’s lock repeatedly and set off an explosive but the door was not breached. The terrorist killed multiple people outside the shul, but thankfully those inside were safe.
Conduct a simple experiment. Try to enter your child’s yeshiva through a side or back door, without being noticed. If you can enter, then an attacker can enter as well, and the yeshiva is a soft target.
In our experience, although many institutions have a lock-door policy, a large number of yeshivas and shuls are soft-targets that can be easily breached. Thousands of students and congregants are sitting ducks. If one crazy person decides to enter and start shooting, it could be disastrous.
You may be thinking, “What are the chances?” But if Chas v’Shalom the unthinkable happens, people will be thinking “If only…”
It’s an easy fix, and while it does not make the building invincible, it can certainly help, with minimal sacrifice.
Just last week in Toronto a man was riding his bicycle through a yeshiva property when he was confronted by students.
This individual reportedly returned a little while later and started yelling at the students. Police said he also made antisemitic comments. Yeshiva staff then confronted the man and a physical confrontation broke out during which a staff member was threatened and assaulted.
Baruch Hashem that frightening incident had a relatively innocuous ending. Sadly, there are many crazy people, and antisemitism has become an increasing trend.
We are pleading with you. It’s time for all parents and shul members to demand from Menahelim and Rabbonim a lock-door policy. And it needs to be enforced at all times.
It may be inconvenient. It may be annoying. But isn’t it worth it to protect your family’s lives?
There is no excuse, and the feeling of regret if the unthinkable happens, asking oneself “Why didn’t we just do more?” is something that nobody should ever experience.
A well known Jewish school in NYC has locked bullet resistant unbreachable doors and a guard opens them for students and staff only if he knows them. ID cards are then carried by all on the campus. NOBODY is allowed in the building without a face to face recognition and registration at the front desk.
The best system I think is that the door automatically locks when it closes.
Im Hashem lo yishmor ir….
This photo shows the Young Israel of Flatbush, which is at the southwestern corner of Avenue I and Coney Island Avenue. If one looks at the tower of the Shul at the far right, the structure appears to end at a certain point. It actually used to go higher, until the summer of 1962. At that time, there was a very bad storm, and portions of the upper tower were damaged. As a precaution, parts of the upper tower were permanently removed.
Someone’s gotta say it. Once you put the measures in place, don’t prop the door open, which is what let the Texas shooter inside the school.
Camps are all outdoors. At least we could do I during the school year
It’s not the locked doors that we need ITS BAIL for the tugs is what we need , so simple why don’t we get it ?
… and keep NYS BoED gestapo out.
ln crown heights this was started after the stabbing in 770
and seems to work very well in every place.
It would seem a little better security might prevent some problems. The idea seems to be a good one.
Citing the incident in Toronto is disingenuous and symptomatic of fake news. It happened outside. The Yeshiva could have Fort Knox security (and maybe it does), the incident would happen regardless. Had more of the Yeshiva staff and boys been trained in martial arts/self defense, the incident would have ended sooner and with no harm to the staff member who was punched in the face!
Most schools do have a locked door policy, however, the doors are not strong enough.
There is no real security in our yeshivas it’s an illusion But they take government moneys for security needs
Especially if you are a Rav Shaul chusid
You should protect yourself from ger!
oy
The article about shul safety turned into a debate over antisemitism and Amish success. But secular Jews in America are highly respected as productive, intelligent, educated, clean, leaders in the arts, philanthropy, and business and are not shunned but sought after! Charedi Jews on the other hand…
It makes a lot of sense this policy and I hope it will be implemented there is no reason to spend alot of money on security this is the perfect solution and it’s definitely cost effective besides security guards won’t help if they have no guns to shoot the intruders
I see my comment was rejected
You’re also scared of Ger I guess
The amount of anti-semitism in the comments section is truly shocking. Wtf is wrong with you people
Whether this is true or not, trying to call this out in an online forum is pretty stupid and counter to the very idea itself.
<em>and antisemitism has become an increasing trend.</em> hence the time has long since arrived, for every anti semitic incident culprit to be publicly flogged for an entire hour non-stop, to be followed by death penalty no questions asked.
Mark my word:- Anti semitism incidents shall slump overnite:- Quite literally!!
Hut ah bissel bitachon.
oy
What I find amazing is that the Amish who are also very traditional in their culture, Their mannerisms and their dress, are actually well liked by their Neighbors. Why are we Jewish people so despised by our neighbors?.
Oy
Oh please