JCRC-NY applauds conviction in Riverdale synagogue bombing case

The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York salutes the work of the prosecutors who won the conviction of four men who plotted to bomb two synagogues in Riverdale and shoot down a plane at the Stewart Air National Guard Base.  The conviction was based on the stellar work of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, led by the New York Office of the FBI and the NYPD.  We are grateful to all of them.

The evidence presented at trial was shocking, in that it demonstrated the visceral anti-Semitism of the defendants. We had no doubt that, given the opportunity, the defendants intended to destroy houses of worship and to kill and maim scores of Jews, soldiers and others. We are fortunate that our law enforcement agencies continue to be vigilant and were able to interrupt the defendants before they committed a heinous act.

Tornado Watch Guidance

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for most of southern New York State and NJ. Click on the links for more localized information. 

A tornado watch defines an area shaped like a parallelogram, where tornadoes and other kinds of severe weather are possible in the next several hours. It does not mean tornadoes are imminent -- just that you need to be alert, and to be prepared to go to safe shelter if tornadoes do happen or a warning is issued.

Recently, New Yorkers have learned that tornadoes can happen here. To learn more about personal preparedness, click here. Jewish organizations should put their tornado watch plans into effect:

• Flying debris is the greatest hazard in most severe storms. Make sure that your sukkot and their contents are secured or brought inside. 
• Turn on local TV or radio, turn on and set the alarm switch on your weather radio, make sure you have ready access to safe shelter, and make your friends and family aware of the potential for tornadoes in the area.
• Keep children at school beyond regular hours if threatening weather is expected; and inform parents of this policy. Children are safer deep within a school than in a bus or car. Students should not be sent home early if severe weather is approaching, because they may still be out on the roads when it hits.
• Lunches or assemblies in large rooms should be postponed if severe weather is approaching. As illustrated above, gymnasiums, cafeterias, and auditoriums offer no meaningful protection from tornado-strength winds. Also, even if there is no tornado, severe thunderstorms can generate winds strong enough to cause major damage.
• Get more information tornado preparedness and planning for schools  from the National Weather Service click here.

TSA Guidance on Lulav, Etrog, et. al.

The TSA released the following guidance:

Religious Holiday of Sukkot

September 13, 2010

The travel period for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot is from September 19 through October 4, 2010.

Observant Jewish travelers may carry four plants – a palm branch, myrtle twigs, willow twigs, and a citron – in airports and through security checkpoints. These plants are religious articles and may be carried either separately or as a bundle. Jewish travelers may be observed in prayer, shaking the bundle of plants in six directions.

TSA’s screening procedures do not prohibit the carrying of such agricultural items through the airport or security checkpoints, or on airplanes. These plants are not on TSA’s Prohibited Items List. And, as always, TSA is committed to treating all passengers, including passengers who may be observing Sukkot, with respect and dignity during the screening process.

Hurricane Earl may visit: Are you ready?

As of this posting, Hurricane Earl is a Category 4 storm in the Caribbean. Forecasters predict that Earl will move up the East Coast and pass 100-200 miles off of Montauk as a Tropical Storm on Friday night/Saturday morning (see Shabbat tips below). The heavy wind and rains increase the likelihood of flooding, fallen trees, blocked roads and power outages, especially on Long Island. 

For more information (including an overview and NY area historic patterns and conditions), view an excellent presentation by I. Ross Dickman, Meteorologist-in-charge, NOAA's National Weather Service, New York, NY office.

The JCRC-NY recommends:

• Be informed. Broadcast and print media are doing a good job, but storms can be unpredictable. Pay attention to the updates. For preparation planning tips, see information from NYC, Nassau (including evacuation routes), Suffolk and Westchester.
• Plan and Prepare. 
• Stockpile food, water and medicine. Organizations should alert their members and suggest that they top off their food supply and check that they have sufficient medication on hand in the event that they can’t leave the house. People should also have a reserve of water (it’s a good idea to freeze water in gallon plastic bags which can help to prevent the food in your refrigerator from spoiling in the event of a power outage). 
• Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit for Home and a Go-Bag for Evacuation 
• Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan 
• Develop a Family Communications Plan
• Prepare your organizations for power outages
• Remember Shabbat. The storm forecast coincides with Shabbat which may require additional preparatory steps: 
• Reach out to local officials. If you have special concerns over Shabbat (see below), discuss them with your local police of fire officials. 
• Make decisions before the storm. The Orthodox Union issued Shabbat Protocols in Case of a Hurricane, written by Rabbi Kenneth Brander (now of Yeshivah University) with thanks to Rabbi Hershel Schachter for his guidance. While these protocols are an excellent guide to the issues of concern, consult with appropriate rabbinical authorities about specific guidance regarding the expected conditions of the upcoming storm.
  
  
  
  

View "Keeping your High Holiday Services Safe and Secure" webinar materials

• "Access control considerations during high holiday services" (PDF) Dov Horwitz, Security Specialist, JCRC-NY
•  "Tips on detecting hostile surveillance" (PDF) Paul DeMatties, Senior Advisor on Corporate Security Programs and Director of the Counter-Terrorism Assessment Program, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• "Planning for the unexpected: High Holiday edition" (PDF) David Pollock, JCRC-NY
• View a video transcript of these presentations

The presentation by NYPD Director of Intelligence Analysis Mitch Silber on the evolving al-Qaeda threat and its potential impact on the Jewish community is considered confidential by the NYPD and not available.

Related materials

• JCRC Emergency and Secrurity Planning Tips for the High Holidays (PDF) The High Holidays are a special challenge for synagogues. Find tips for security and emergency planning here.
• ADL Security for the High Holy Days and Other Special Events (PDF)
• Sample Building Access Policies and Procedures (PDF) Learn how to balance the goals of having your institution be both welcoming and secure.
• Emergency Planning: Disaster and Crisis Response Systems for Jewish Organizations published by United Jewish Communities, written by John Jay College of Criminal Justice and JCRC-NY

Protect yourself and your community from West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus has been found in all five boroughs during this mosquito season (June through October) So far this year; four New York City residents have been diagnosed with West Nile virus. 

West Nile virus is spread to people by infected mosquitoes.  Protecting yourself from mosquito bites is the best way to avoid West Nile virus.  Persons over 50 are at an increased risk for severe disease if they become infected. 

Click on the links for a Health Bulletin about protecting yourself and your community against West Nile Virus and a flyer specific to how to protect yourself from mosquito bites.  Please share these widely within your communities, with a special focus on getting this information out to those who are over 50.   

For further information on West Nile virus call 311, or visit www.nyc.gov/health/wnv.   

Nonprofit Security Grant results released

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced grants of $19 million in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to non-profit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack.

New York organizations fared particularly well, with 83 winners (71 in NYC) qualifying for $4,995,121 in federal funding to support target-hardening activities. New York applicants gleaned 30% of the grants (273). The number of New York winners grew by nearly 15% (compared to 2009) and the NY total grant amount increased by $380,000.

All applicants, whether successful or not, will be officially notified of their status by the the New York Office of Homeland Security (NY OHS).

We owe a special debt of gratitude to those dedicated public servants who actually administer the grants and answer our questions, especially Shelley Wahrlich, Steve Tierney and Valerie Bloomer. This program could not be successful without their dedication, patience and expertise. Thanks to Governor David Paterson, Acting NY Director of the Office of Homeland Security James Sherry and the entire NY Office of Homeland Security staff for their continuing, tremendous support for the Nonprofit Homeland Security Grant Program.

Coping with the heat and power outages

With the extreme heat affecting the New York City area energy consumption is, and will be, at record levels and ConEd  requested that customers conserve energy (check out these tips). Blackouts are already occurring throughout the city and more are inevitable. Many simple steps can help you prepare accordingly, both to keep people safe and to ensure that your important services continue.

• Be aware of others who are vulnerable to the heat and may need assistance (including older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, and those taking certain medications). Encourage them to use their air conditioner during a heat event. For additional information, visit http://www.advancewarningsystemnyc.org.
• Keep water available and move people to a cool place (find a nearby city-run cooling center at http://gis.nyc.gov/oem/cc/index.htm).
• Have flashlights and batteries available (don't forget to test regularly -- suggestion, when you change your clocks).
• Monitor radio or TV for up-to-date information ( have a wind up or battery operated radio/tv in case the power goes out).

Follow this link for more steps to help you and your organization through a power outage. Bonus: these steps are an easy precursor to more comprehensive emergency planning.

Hate begets hate: Westboro Baptist Church exposed

Over the last year the Westboro Baptist Church picketed Jewish organizations in the NYC metropolitan area on several occasions. Find out more about them and their tactics from the ABC News report: Raised to Hate: Kids of Westboro Baptist Church.

Prepare for an "active to extremely active" hurricane season

Yes, hurricanes can strike the New York area.

An “active to extremely active” hurricane season is expected for the Atlantic Basin this year according to the seasonal outlook issued today by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service. As with every hurricane season, this outlook underscores the importance of having a hurricane preparedness plan in place. Forecasters anticipate the following to affect the Atlantic Basin:

• 14 to 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), including:
• 8 to 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which:
• 3 to 7 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph)

To get more information (including an overview and NY area historic patterns and conditions), view an excellent presentation by I. Ross Dickman, Meteorologist-in-charge, NOAA's National Weather Service, New York, NY office.

For preparation planning tips, see information from NYC, Nassau (including evacuation routes), Suffolk and Westchester.