In response to a sharp rise in bomb threats targeting Jewish institutions nationwide, the Community Security Initiative (CSI) held a specialized in-person security training session this morning for community leaders, law enforcement, and institutional security personnel in Rockland County.
The training, led by CSI Director Etan Erlich, was conducted in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security Office for Bombing Prevention and focused on best practices for safely and effectively managing bomb threats. Over the past three years—most recently as last week—hundreds of Jewish institutions across the United States, including many in the New York metropolitan area, have received bomb threats. Targeted locations have included schools, synagogues, and Jewish Community Centers, with incidents causing fear, service disruptions (including on Yom Kippur), and school closures.
The 60-minute course was designed for law enforcement officials, first responders, school and synagogue security teams, Jewish institutional leadership, and managers of large facilities such as retail centers, critical infrastructure sites, and healthcare facilities.
The session took place Thursday at Community Outreach Center in Monsey. Organizers thanked the center for hosting and emphasized the importance of proactive preparedness and coordination between community institutions and law enforcement amid ongoing security concerns.
