JEWISH LONG BEACH & ALPERT JCC
Saying Something Can Save Lives Meredith Burke | Community Security Director
Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the threat environment facing the Jewish community in North America is at an all-time high. Secure Community Network’s Duty Desk has documented a historic surge in Meredith Burke antisemitic threats and calls for violence, logging a record 1,677 incident reports since October 7, 2023, a 193% increase from 2022. Incidents include vandalism, harassment, and assault among other acute threats and actions. Notably, there have been 158 bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting Jewish facilities since October 7, 2023, as well as 29 assault incidents and an additional 248 harassment incidents. While these numbers are shocking, they also reflect something meaningful: people are “saying something,” when they “see something.” Making reports can
truly have an impact when it leads to the prevention of a crime being committed. It is rare that an avoided attack is reported in the news, yet there are many instances where good situational awareness coupled with the commitment to report suspicious activity has made the difference between life and death. You may be the only witness and therefore the only person able to report the suspicious activity you observe! Don’t discount activity, behavior, or environments that you find troubling. In Los Angeles and Long Beach, reports can be made anonymously by texting tips through the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Program. Report by texting “TIPLA (along with your message)” to CRIMES (274637). The process is completely secure and anonymous and is a very effective and efficient means of safely communicating important information. Another resource is the Sandy Hook Promise, formed in 2012 following the tragic school shooting. A tipster can report anything from school threats they’ve seen
or overheard to personal crises, including sexual harassment, self-harm, abuse, bullying, and depression. Tips can be reported via a telephone call (1-844-5-SAYNOW), through its website, or through a mobile app. According to the website reports, the system has received over 185,000 tips, which have saved a confirmed 536 lives. This system was adopted by the Long Beach Unified School District in 2022. Report antisemitic incidents, threats, phishing emails, and other suspicious activity to me using the Incident Reporting Form on Jewish Long Beach’s website (https:// www.jewishlongbeach.org/resources/ incidentreporting), or by sending an email to mburke@jewishlongbeach.org. Any criminal information will be shared with law enforcement. Non-criminal information is assessed by Secure Community Network’s Intelligence Analysts and shared with partners including the Anti-Defamation League. If you’re at the Alpert JCC, stop by to see me and let’s talk in person. I hope 2024 finds you safe, healthy, and happy!
E L B P E M T E H T SHALOM t A s U n i o J TBS SERVICE SCHEDULE Thursdays at 8am on Zoom Fridays at 6pm / Saturdays at 10am In-Person & Streaming
Beginners Biblical Hebrew Class with Rabbi Mirski Tuesdays @ 6pm
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www.facebook.com/tbslb/
tbslb.org | (562) 426-6413 3635 Elm Avenue—Long Beach, CA 90807
Life vs Faith TBS Torah School Presents: Kids Shabbat
Tuesday, February 27th @7pm
Saturday mornings @ 10am-12pm
TBS Men’s Club World Wide Wrap February 11 @ 8am
Led by HaMo'Robyn! Join us Saturday mornings for learning and fun! The Torah School program is sponsored by a generous gift from Congregation Shir Chadash
Adult Learning with Rabbi Mirski Torah & Talmud Thursdays @ 7 pm, TBS Beit Midrash 1st, 3rd, & 5th Thursdays - Torah Study 2nd & 4th Thursdays - Talmud Study
Rabbi Dr. Mirski's lecture on Holocaust theology at AJCC, Long Beach, CA
Learn how to play Pan with Sisterhood Contact Linda Simmons: lindasimmons1@gmail.com
JEWISHLONGBEACH.ORG | 5784 TEVET – SHEVAT – ADAR | 17
