Local synagogue says security will be ‘ramped up’ ahead of vigils this week
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A local synagogue in Columbia, Congregation Beth Shalom said security measures are being ramped up as tensions over the Israel-Hamas war rise.
With a vigil to honor those who died in the war set to occur on Thursday, Rabbi Matt Derrenbacher with Congregation Beth Shalom told ABC 17 News that precautions are being taken. Some of those precautions include working with local law enforcement, as well as hiring private security.
"It makes sense for us to yeah, try to keep everyone as safe as possible, especially with members of the wider community coming to the events," Derrenbacher said.
Derrenbacher also said that the synogogue had not received any threats as of Tuesday afternoon.
"So thankfully, no threats or anything at this moment, but we are ramping up security just as we did during the high holidays," Derrenbacher said.
This comes on the same day that President Joe Biden said that police departments across the United States had also stepped up security at centers surrounding Jewish life.
"We’re also taking steps at home. In cities across the United States of America, police departments have stepped up security around centers for — of Jewish life," according to a transcript of Biden's Tuesday speech. "And the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are working closely with state and local law enforcement and Jewish community partners to identify and disrupt any domestic threat that could emerge in connection with these horrific attacks."
Israel was attacked by Hamas militants over the weekend, prompting the country to declare war. According to CNN, there have been nearly 2,000 combined deaths on both sides. More than 1,000 people have died in Israel, according to CNN, including a woman who was born in Boone County.
Derrenbacher also told ABC 17 News that the Jewish community is always on guard.
"Whether it be a regular service or a special event," Derrenbacher said. "Especially with the rise of anti semitism over the past few years continually and steadily rising it has become more necessary for us to think of security."
According to the Anti Defamation League, in 2022 there were 3,697 total anti-semitic incidents across the United States. This marks a 36% increase from 2021, when there were only 2,717. Of those incidents, 2,298 involved either verbal or written harassment. The other 1,288 cases involved vandalism.
Incidents were reported in all 50 states, with Missouri accounting for 30. California and New York led the country, with more than 500 incidents each.
