GUARDIAN OF THE SHLUCHIM

The horrifying massacre in Pittsburgh shook up the world. President Trump was quick to protest the fact that there was no security at the entrance to the house of worship. Others maintained that gun laws made it easy for extremists to acquire murder weapons. * Beis Moshiach spoke to shluchim in various parts of the world who explained how they secure their Chabad Houses. * Some think the Israeli government should provide money to help secure Chabad Houses. All agree that the best protection is “the Rebbe is with us and protects us.”

THE REBBE INQUIRED ABOUT SECURITY MEASURES

The murders of eleven Jews by a white supremacist reminded everyone that anti-Semitism is alive and well. Although the shots rang out in Pittsburgh, they alerted police forces in hundreds of places where Jews live around the world. This included shuls (with a police car parked right outside 770), Jewish centers, schools, and places where Jews meet. Security experts are examining the best way to deal with lone wolf extremists.

Shluchim wonder whether it is really possible to protect Jewish mosdos.

Some historical background: After the murder of students and counselors in Kfar Chabad, the Rebbe wrote a number of times about the importance of security in the Kfar. In one of these letters, the Rebbe even detailed the type of security that was needed. The Rebbe wrote to R’ Pinyeh Altheus, one of the heads of Aguch:

“They must immediately get in touch with appropriate offices and people regarding increased protection. I was asked here why there is no wire fence around the Kfar or a searchlight in the highest place in the Kfar, guard dogs, etc. It is also worthwhile raising the question about the orchards, since a number of sources have pointed out that they serve as hideouts that make it difficult to search.”

Every Chabad mosad or center around the world has, based on need, some kind of protection, whether obvious or concealed. In places where the security or crime situation is consistently bad, the shluchim are extra careful.

It is ten years since the massacre in the Chabad House in Bombay in which the Rebbe’s shluchim, Rabbi and Mrs. Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg were murdered along with four other Jews, K’doshim. In the wake of that horror, many Chabad Houses upped their security.

It is interesting to read an announcement published a year and a quarter after the attack in Bombay, about the preparations at the Chabad House in Poona, India, run by Rabbi and Mrs. Betzalel and Rochel Kupchik, which was published as part of the preparations for Pesach 5770, a holiday when many Jewish tourists visit the Chabad House:

“In Poona, in southern India, they are planning a much more modest event. ‘The seder we are having is one of the smaller ones, with about fifty guests, since we are located in the south and it is not the tourist season now; the temperature is around 40 degrees Celsius (104F),” explained Mrs. Kupchik. ‘There are a few tourists, and some businessmen and local families who will be joining us.’

“The local authorities take security seriously. Just last month, nine people were killed and dozens wounded in an attack that occurred only 150 meters away from the Chabad House. ‘Since then, eight policemen surround the place at all times and on the eve of the holiday the numbers will increase. The local police constantly ask about our plans for the holiday; apparently, they will heighten the security. All this is being done on their own initiative.

“Despite the attack last month, and the attack at the Chabad House in Bombay a year and a quarter ago, Kupchik is not worried. ‘India is a very quiet place and they love Jews. When you say you are from Israel, people express support and concern.’”

By way of contrast, a different time, intelligence information said that terror organizations were planning an attack against Israelis in India. Indian security forces increased security around Jewish institutions in India, including Chabad Houses. Nevertheless, Chabad Houses continued to operate, business as usual.

The highest tension was in Bombay, naturally, the place where there already was an attack. The shliach there, Rabbi Yisroel Kozlovsky, said at the time that “when there are warning signs, we are informed about them by the Israeli authorities and the people in charge of protecting Jewish sites. On our end, we follow the guidelines of the local police who guard the building.”

Rabbi Kozlovsky added, “There is 24-hour protection in all directions. We feel calm and secure, mainly because we are children of the Creator of the world. But at the same time, we need to do all that is necessary to defend ourselves and our guests and we do everything according to guidelines from the security forces.”

ARMED SOLDIERS AT THE ENTRANCE

There are many security precautions that shluchim need to take (see sidebar), and they cannot just operate out of routine; certainly not in countries and cities where there is concern for danger.

I know there are people reading this who will dismiss it. I remember that when I was on shlichus in a moderate Moslem country, I also laughed off the “extreme precautions” that were imposed on me in a special training session by Israeli security. But when a car bomb shook up my place of shlichus, the security forces acted swiftly; the airport and border crossings were closed, tanks moved in the street, and there was a complete blackout on information.

Only after a while did we learn that this was an overthrow attempt by extremist Moslems. After that, I and my fellow Israelis became the biggest proponents of extreme precautions when it came to security. Obviously, we don’t need to wait for situations like these in order to be careful and protect ourselves properly.

A shliach in London and New York should not be compared to a shliach in an average Ukrainian or African city. Consider a shliach who lives in a city where the locals earn a hundred dollars a month, have no bank account, and live from day to day. They see a shliach going about, a visitor from abroad, wearing a nice suit, a tie, and seemingly with plenty of dollars in his pocket, without protection. He is easy prey.

Even if, G-d forbid, evil people plot an attack, in many cases they will prefer places or people who are unprotected. We know now that in Bombay, the terrorists sent someone to check out the Chabad House building and its exits and entrances.

Still, security is no simple thing for the typical shliach. It costs a fortune, which eats away at a budget for Shabbos meals, a pair of tefillin, and other important activities. Although there was talk about the Israeli government funding security for Chabad Houses around the world, nothing has happened yet.

Another problem that can arise in places where tight security is needed is when many Jews show up for an event. Security checks can create long lines which will cause some people to leave and even make them fearful about going to a place that seems to be a likely target for a terrorist attack.

We can divide the level of protection at Chabad mosdos and Chabad Houses around the world into dozens of categories, and to do this, we spoke with shluchim to hear what they do. Many shluchim declined to be interviewed for obvious reasons. Many others agreed but were brief. “There are things that are better not spoken about much,” said one of them.

What security measures are there at your Chabad House?

We turned to Rabbi Yeshaya Lerner, shliach in Brookline (near Boston). The reverberations and the painful shock of the attack on Shabbos in Pittsburgh reached him as it did all of us.

“The security situation for us is generally fine. The Chabad House door is locked and is opened only for activities or invited guests. There is a police car regularly stationed near the Chabad House that patrols for traffic violations but is available to be of help to us too.

“The terrible attack in Pittsburgh affected the spirits of the people in our community. Everyone is shocked and shaken up but practically speaking, it doesn’t seem like there is anything to do other than a certain step we are taking to increase security measures. Obviously, above all else, we need to increase our bitachon in Hashem. ‘Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.’ As shluchim of the Rebbe we rely on the power of the meshaleiach to take care of us.”

We spoke with Rabbi Tzemach Mizrachi, shliach in Milan, Italy who said:

“Our outreach work is centered in the Chabad shul which is located within a yard surrounded by a high fence. At the entrance to the yard there is a locked guard booth. The door is opened only from within by the guard and this after ascertaining, by speaking through an intercom, that the person is a Jew. Aside from that, the windows of the building have bars affixed and on Shabbos, when there are a lot of people, the government assigns soldiers to stand near the shul.”

Here too, the tightened security came after a tragedy, not before.

“Security was increased after the attack in Brussels in 5774 in which two Israeli Jews were killed near the Jewish museum where there was no security.

“We have soldiers stationed on Shabbos and holidays, not only near our shul but also at other shuls and near Jewish mosdos, according to the situation. The soldiers stand at the entrance, armed with rifles with the magazines inserted. There are also patrols of soldiers in the Jewish area where many Jews live.”

Who is responsible for all this security?

“Security for the Jews of Milan is administered by the security officer of the Jewish community, and under him there are trained and experienced guards, some of them stationed at shuls and Jewish mosdos; others are on call in case of need. The security officer is in contact with the government to supply soldiers, and with the Israeli embassy in Rome, from whom he gets updates and security warnings.”

In Eastern Europe, we spoke with Rabbi Shlomo Solomon, shliach in Kremenchug, Ukraine. He kept his comments to a minimum, “Our mosdos are secured by closed circuit security cameras and special security guards.”

As for Chabad Houses in India, we spoke with Rabbi Shneur Kupchik, shliach in New Delhi, who said, “Our Chabad House is secured with security cameras, a heavy door and an emergency call button for any emergency that may arise. In addition, there is a patrol car near the Chabad House almost around the clock.”

Is this paid for by the local government?

“Not at all. Almost all of the security measures, some of which were increased after the attack in Bombay, were donated and set up by members of the community. I won’t elaborate, but since many of our visitors are official Israeli representatives, we are in close cooperation with the security staff of the Israeli embassy, and they guide me, with the emphasis being that they are concerned for official Israeli visitors … As per their guidance, we often purposely break routine, according to their instructions. I will emphasize that the security precautions do make some of our visitors feel more comfortable and this is part of our job.”

TENSIONS IN GAZA ARE FELT AROUND THE WORLD

Security funding for Chabad Houses around the world by the Israeli government has come up a number of times for discussion in various Knesset committees. Unfortunately, these discussions have followed tragedies that occurred or almost occurred.

A few years ago, the Committee for Aliya, Absorption and the Diaspora, discussed in the Knesset the need for educational, security and public relations collaboration between government offices and shluchim of the Rebbe around the world. The chairman of the committee at the time, Danny Danon, stressed that, “every Jew who goes to any part of the world knows there is a place to celebrate Shabbos and holidays. The government is already investing in Jewish education in the diaspora and it should also take responsibility for securing centers for tourists on the holidays.”

The background for the discussion was the need to secure Chabad centers under constant security threat by terrorists. These are places that are no less under threat than Israeli embassies, but they are lacking any established security, not even on the level of a deterrent. Rabbi Nechemia Wilhelm, shliach in Thailand, took part in this discussion. He said that the security burden has fallen on the shluchim in Bangkok:

“There are warnings of terrorist threats against concentrations of Israeli tourists, but we are the ones who pay for security at the Chabad house, to the tune of $60,000-$80,000 a year.”

After the terrorist attack at the Chabad House in Bombay, the question came up again of securing Chabad Houses around the world that are potential targets for attacks. Following the attacks, the Deputy Minister of Health, Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, wrote a letter to then Foreign Minister Tzippy Livni and raised the issue of the extensive work done by Chabad Houses around the world, even in the most far out places, serving as an address for every Jew.

He added that “The Foreign Office, its representatives, and embassy staff around the world, also benefit from the services of Chabad Houses, whether religious services that they provide to, among others, representatives of the Foreign Office, as well as the assistance in acclimation they provide to the representatives that rotate from time to time, as the Chabad shluchim permanently stay where they are and help new representatives of Israel get acquainted with the target country, its language and customs.

“This is why it is incumbent upon the Foreign Office to finance security for Chabad Houses for the benefit of Jews and many Israelis who visit and enjoy their services, and the benefit of staffs of the Foreign Office and the embassies in particular.”

However, nothing resulted from this.

Said a shliach who works in a Moslem country, who preferred to remain anonymous, “We don’t need things to happen in order to be prepared. Any security event in Eretz Yisroel is enough to put us on high alert. I remember that we once got a security warning because of the anniversary of the elimination of one of the top terrorists. The recommendation was to close the Chabad House and our school on that day. We didn’t do that; we don’t shut down, but our routine was definitely disturbed by the security tension.”

“Rabbi Berel Lazar, chief rabbi of Russia, referred to this specific event when he said, ‘A Jewish school cannot be closed because of a security concern, because when it will be reopened, parents will be afraid to send their children. So a school cannot be closed; instead, the security has to be increased.”

As stated, any security tension in Eretz Yisroel on the border with Gaza or Lebanon, is enough to cause the tightening of security at Chabad centers around the world. One of the more sensitive spots is the central Chabad House in Bangkok. R’ Wilhelm said in the past, “Since the start of the operation in Gaza, we increased security. Today, there is security around the Chabad Houses in Thailand. Still, our concern is that due to the frustration of terror organizations in the fight against Israel, they will try to concentrate their efforts in opening other fronts against Jews abroad. Our plan is to increase security and improve it so that the Chabad Houses will continue to be warm and secure homes for every Israeli.”

The Chabad Houses in Thailand service thousands of Israeli and Jewish tourists. Every week there are shiurim, workshops, and t’fillos, all with numerous participants. This, plus it being relatively easy to bring in explosives to Thailand and the millions of Moslems who live in the country, have made the Chabad Houses a target even for terror organizations abroad.

The IFCJ (Note: taking money from this group is subject to a halachic controversy – SZB) maintains a fund which helps with the costs of security and protection. Over the years, it has donated millions of shekels to shluchim of the Rebbe around the world: in Latin America, Australia, western and eastern Europe, Moslem countries where there are Jewish communities, the Far East, countries of the CIS, Ukraine and other places.

The following is another case where shluchim were forced to respond to a deteriorating security situation. Two years ago, there was a terrorist attack in Paris which led to increased security around Chabad Houses and Chabad schools in that city. Increased security included adding security personnel stationed around Chabad Houses and more careful screening of anyone wanting to enter. Likewise, the police increased patrols around Chabad centers and other Jewish institutions, out of concern that the terror groups would try to carry out terror attacks against Jews.

Rabbi Mendel Azimov, director of Chabad mosdos in Paris, noted, following the terror attack, that “these are the most difficult days for citizens of France in general, and Jews in particular. Naturally, we feel like walking targets and are aware that our community centers, shuls and schools are exposed to danger. This situation has made the need for aid vital for us.”

Rabbi Moshe Cohen, a shliach in the 11^th district of Paris, said that the attack took place near the shul that he left just a few hours earlier. “We need to trust in Hashem, but it is a little scary. However, if we trust in Hashem, nothing can frighten us.”

If you had more money for security, would you beef up security or stick to what you have?

R’ Shneur Kupchik: “If I had a donation or budget for security, the security measures would be enhanced many times over. Since the security of the shluchim and visitors to the Chabad House is directly affected by the situation in Eretz Yisroel, I don’t think it’s an act of ‘generosity,’ but the obligation of the Israeli government to help with security.”

Rabbi Yeshaya Lerner: “We are now considering adding cameras and electrified doors. The Chabad House will be extensively renovated soon and included in that will be additional security, paid for by the local authorities.”

Rabbi Shlomo Solomon: “For sure, if there was money for it, I would increase security. What holds us back is the high cost for equipment. I think the Israeli government should provide funding for the security of shluchim and Chabad Houses around the world.”

Rabbi Mizrachi of Milan also affirms that if he had more money, he would station guards and would have additional security.

THE SUSPICIOUS GUEST

Security is a complicated topic and not every shliach is willing to elaborate. In matters such as these, it is better to talk less and do more.

“Shluchim, wherever they may be, must be careful; each according to the conditions and security situation in his city and country,” says R’ Solomon, in summary. “Obviously, we aren’t to forget the Watchful Eye Above and that the Rebbe is with us constantly and protecting us.”

R’ Mizrachi told us about a situation that appeared to be dangerous but ended up well:

“Milan is a city that is not generally dangerous. You don’t need to look all around as you walk on the street and on Friday night, the door to my home is not locked. Many guests come, open the door, and walk in.

“One Shabbos, I got up for a moment from the Friday night meal and heard knocking at the door. It seemed a bit strange to me – who was knocking when all the regular guests just walk in? I opened the door and there was a dark-skinned young man who said, ‘Shabbat shalom’ in a heavy accent and introduced himself with an odd name that sounded Arabic. He asked to come in and having no choice, I allowed him in, while I worried about whether I was doing the right thing.

“The only empty place was near me, since one of the children who had been sitting there had gone to sleep. I said a short d’var Torah and then the man asked, ‘You said a word I did not understand, beheima. What does that mean?’

“Who knows Hebrew and doesn’t know what beheima means? The situation was very bizarre.

“He then went on to his next question. ‘Did you know Gavriel from Bombay?’ This was shortly after the attack in which Gavriel Holtzberg had been murdered and this question made me extremely uncomfortable. I was afraid for myself, my family and the mekuravim sitting at the table. I felt it was a dangerous situation and unhesitatingly ran to the bedroom, took my phone and called the security officer of the Jewish community and whispered, ‘Send someone right away!’ He said, ‘Within ten minutes, security will be there.’ I put the phone in my pocket and returned to the Shabbos table.

“After I sat down, the guest informed me that he was planning on leaving. I didn’t know what to do. Maybe he had come to do surveillance. I had to delay him until security came. I offered him tea and cake before he left. I ran to the kitchen and called the security officer again. I pleaded, ‘We don’t have ten minutes; come now!’ The security officer calmed me down and promised that they were coming right away.

“As I returned to the dining room, two security men from the community appeared and went right over to the suspicious guest and took him to another room to find out who he is and what he was doing here.

“In the meantime, one of the guests whispered to me, ‘I realized from the outset that you were perturbed. I worked in security in Eretz Yisroel and when you left the room, I spoke with him and he told me that he is a ‘booster’ for El Al, that is, a roving security officer who goes from city to city where there are El Al flights and helps secure the flights. He was chosen for this job because of his appearance.’

“I felt very torn, but after a few minutes, the security men returned with the man who told me I acted correctly. He said he was a new immigrant from India which explained his appearance and how he knew Gavriel Holtzberg, may Hashem avenge his blood.”

PROTECTION USING NATURAL MEANS

In writing this article, we spoke with Mr. Yaron Cohen, a former security officer for Israeli embassies. He is well aware of the possible problems, the difficulties, as well as the conditions under which the shluchim operate. He notes that aside from electronic security equipment that costs a lot of money, there are basic defensive actions that every shliach can utilize, thus diminishing any possible threats, without incurring additional costs.

“Security companies and defense forces around the world recommend many cautionary tactics for prominent individuals or those under threat.”

Here are some examples:

Break your routine when you leave the house or place of work, i.e., don’t leave the house or office the same time every day. This makes it difficult for surveillance or possible attack. At the same time, do not tell strangers or publicly announce to your community members exact plans for travel out of the city.

There should be bars and curtains on all windows at home and at work. Likewise, there should be double locks on main doors and a bolt, security cameras around the doorways, and when possible, manned security.

Be careful when receiving envelopes or packages without a clear return address. Be extra careful with a package or envelope that looks as though it was opened and closed again with tape.

When leaving the house/office/shopping center, don’t take the first taxi that is waiting and definitely do not enter a taxi that stops for you just as you make your exit.

In places where there are heightened reasons for concern from enemies or criminals, look around from side to side and behind you to check that nobody is following.

In dangerous places, it is recommended for the Chabad House or activity center to have an established security setup. Here, there are different levels, starting with a guard who will open the gate and has a cell phone, to highly trained armed guards. Both of them need to have access for immediate reinforcements.

I know about certain places where the Chabad Houses do not advertise their exact location on flyers and you have to call to find out where they are located. You give the address, obviously, only after you have no doubt about the Jewish identity of the person calling.

In certain cases, the security protocol is somewhat unusual, namely to locate the Chabad House near a fully secured place like an embassy.

The list is very long, and every shliach can certainly receive a professional security briefing at the nearest Israeli embassy, or from certified security experts, and these will provide guidance based on experience garnered from many and varied occurrences around the world.