New York, NY – Jewish Community on Alert, NYPD Keeps Closer Eye

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    Police are stationed outside Chabad Lubavitch synagogue in Brooklyn on Saturday.New York, NY – Security was stepped up at synagogues across New York on Saturday and the Jewish community was on alert after authorities intercepted explosives bound for Chicago houses of worship.

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    In Brooklyn, some members of the Orthodox community were unaware of the terror threat since they had not read the newspaper, watched television or listened to the radio in observance of the Sabbath.

    However, word was spreading quickly that Jewish centers in Chicago were believed to be the target of the potentially deadly packages found in the United Kingdom and Dubai and that the NYPD was beefing up security.

    “It’s always related to a Jewish organization,” said Yehuda Eber, 43, who was attending a service at Chabad Lubavitch in Crown Heights, where NYPD patrol cars lingered on the streets as worshipers filed inside for Shabbat services.

    “The threat is alive and well. I’m not gonna say I’m used to it, but anything can happen anytime, anywhere,” Eber said. “We hope and pray that law enforcement takes it seriously. It’s a different world now.”

    Worshipers endured extra security at high-profile synagogues around the city yesterday, and air travelers admitted some jitters as an international hunt continued for more terrorist bombs.

    “We’re nervous. We are all on our toes and looking out for anybody who looks suspicious,” said Gabriel Shehebar, outside the Edmond Safra Synagogue on East 63rd Street.

    At the nearby Fifth Avenue Synagogue, two private security guards used metal-detector wands to screen the congregants while a very visible NYPD mobile command center was posted outside.

    “It’s a sad state of affairs not just for synagogues, but for the world today. Everybody has to be on heightened alert as Americans,” said congregant Rochelle Hirsch.

    Rabbi Yaakov Kermaier, 40, lamented the extra precaution.

    “It’s a matter of concern. Just because we are feeling comfortable and safe doesn’t mean our enemies aren’t working overtime to attack our homeland,” he said.

    “It reminds us just how devious and pernicious our enemies really are.”

    At the Temple Emanu-El on E.65th St. in Manhattan, a mobile command center and patrol guard stood outside the synagogue.

    “Our counterterrorism coverage will continue to include coverage of synagogues, at least for the next few days,” said NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne. “Although I want to emphasize that there’s nothing to suggest New York is being targeted in this instance.”

    Locals said the police presence was the same every Saturday, but news of what President Obama described as a “credible terrorist threat against our country” was on everyone’s lips.

    “It’s scary, isn’t it? It’s odd, it’s creepy,” said Margery Daly, who sings in the choir and lives in Tarrytown. “We’re always in danger but you can’t dwell on it.”

    In Chicago, members of the Jewish community continued their weekend services despite knowing that two packages containing white power and wires were addressed to two synagogues in the city’s North Side neighborhood.

    “We’re always prepared,” said Emily Eyre, 49, who is also in the choir at Temple Emanu-El. “When you work in a synagogue you’re prepared for it.”

    An as was reported here on Vos Iz Neias, heightened security was also visible at Orthodox and Hasidic synagogues in Borough Park and Williamsburg in Brooklyn.


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    3 Comments
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    5TResident
    Noble Member
    5TResident
    13 years ago

    “Elah, sheb’chol dor v’dor, oimdin aleinu l’chalosainu, v’Hakodesh Boruch Hu maztilainu m’yadam”

    True yesterday, true today, true tomorrow.

    joeynathan
    joeynathan
    13 years ago

    i would think that it is better to stay home on schabos then to checked with one of those metal-detector wands . if you feel that it is pekuach nefesh then sit home and don’t make the guard desecrate the schabos so that you can sit in shuel.

    jewsforisrael
    jewsforisrael
    13 years ago

    Islam was not the religion of peace to Winston Churchill. He described it as the religion of blood and war.