Security | Jewish leaders across U.S. reviewing measures

In response to Friday's shootings at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Jewish leaders here and nationwide are reviewing already heightened security safeguards at synagogues, temples, schools and community centers.

The shootings, which left one woman dead and five wounded, were seen as a breaking point for a community already on high alert as tensions rose in the Middle East, said Robert Jacobs, regional director for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a New York -based organization that assesses security for local Jewish organizations.

"We're receiving calls from L.A. and Atlanta asking if people should go to synagogue," Jacobs said. "Here in Seattle, there is a greater feeling of the need to focus on our security than ever before."

For some time, the ADL has recommended Jewish organizations:

• closely monitor those entering synagogues and temples.

• hire security personnel during holy days or high-profile events, such as rallies.

• avoid publishing information online about youth-oriented events or organization staff.

Precautions will become even more stringent as security is scrutinized, Jacobs said, and they could consider permanent safeguards.

Immediately after Friday's shootings, police offered additional patrols at synagogues, temples and Islamic mosques that requested them.

Aziz Junejo, a local Muslim community leader and columnist for The Seattle Times' Faith & Values page, said local mosques are also concerned about safety and some have feared retaliatory attacks. Those fears have resulted in restrictions at such facilities as the Idris Mosque in the Northgate area. It used to be open throughout most of the day but now is open only during designated prayer times.

For 24-hours after Friday's shooting, Mercer Island police posted officers at the island's three Jewish institutions — a synagogue, a school and a community center — and provided stepped-up patrols Sunday, according to spokeswoman Leslie Burns.

Beyond that, police departments in Seattle, Bellevue and Mercer Island will provide off-duty officers to Jewish organizations that request — and are willing to pay for — the services.

Robin Boehler, chairwoman of the Jewish Federation's board, said Sunday that her organization is more than willing to do that.

"Our primary concern is people," she said, "not economics."

At the same time, Jacobs and other ADL leaders have asked that officers on routine patrols pay special attention around Jewish places of worship, schools and social-service organizations.

Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb said supervisors are reminding officers to be "very aware of areas around churches, synagogues and mosques." Bellevue and Mercer Island police have issued similar reminders.

Nationally, Jewish organizations have been increasingly vigilant since a rash of violent crimes between 1999 and 2000 — including the fatal shooting of a postal worker at a community center in Los Angeles and the wounding of six worshippers near a synagogue in Chicago. The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the recent escalation of fighting in the Mideast intensified security concerns.

Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the ADL, said the Seattle shooting has prompted Jewish communities across the nation to reconsider their security.

"We have always been concerned, aware and alert to security issues," Foxman said. "It's the way of life today. But now, what's happening abroad is enraging people who act out their hatred and anger not at the place of the conflict, but locally."

Jacobs wouldn't say specifically how security will be stepped up around Puget Sound, but he did say the ADL is recommending organizations remain on high alert with additional security on hand for the foreseeable future.

That's a departure from a more reactive and temporary response seen previously, he said. Now, Jewish organizations will be looking at permanent security measures.

"We're aware we're a minority community that needs to protect ourselves," Jacobs said. "But I'm still going to my services every day. I refuse to wake up in the morning thinking I'm going to someplace that's not safe."

Nathan Hurst: 206-464-2112 or nhurst@seattletimes.com