Tagged synagogues

Synagogues are now conducting active shooter drills during services

Avi Abraham, a Krav Maga instructor who teaches self-defense classes to synagogue-goers, shows how to combat an attacker in a promotional video. (Screenshot from YouTube)
July 3, 2019 / Ben Sales, JTA

(JTA) — When the ushers locked the door to the sanctuary, and the congregants prepared to flee the synagogue in preparation for a mass shooting, Rabbi Neil Cooper made sure it all happened before they had to take the Torahs out of the ark. Ten minutes later the worshippers… Read more »

Why synagogues started putting American flags in the sanctuary

American, Canadian and Israeli flags are displayed in the S.H. and Helen R. Scheuer Chapel on the Cincinnati campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. (Ady Manory)
July 5, 2018 / Josefin Dolsten, JTA

(JTA) — Jewish tourists from North America are likely to notice one big difference when visiting synagogues around the world. Though a plethora of symbols, such as stars of David and menorahs, may be displayed, national flags are rare inside the sanctuary. Meanwhile, in the United States and Canada,… Read more »

New Czech Jewish museum to spread exhibits across 10 sites nationwide
December 11, 2012 / Ruth Ellen Gruber, JTA
Interior of the restored synagogue in Jicin, Czech Republic, one of the 10 Stars locations. (Ruth Ellen Gruber)

PRAGUE (JTA) — A large Jewish museum set to open in the Czech Republic in October will be a far cry from any Jewish museum in Europe. Instead of one building or a complex of exhibition halls in one city, it will be a nationwide museum comprising 10 linked… Read more »

After attacks on synagogues in New Jersey, heightened security — and anxiety
January 20, 2012 / Jessica Leader, JTA
A swastika spray-painted on a window of Temple Beth Israel in Hackensack, N.J., Dec. 10, 2011. (ADL)

NEW YORK (JTA) — As Jews in some northern New Jersey communities made their way to synagogue last Shabbat, the scene was slightly different from the typical day of rest. Extra police cars were on patrol near synagogues. At Bnei Yeshurun in Teaneck, a new buzzer system had been… Read more »

Adult ed classes bountiful feast for the mind
September 16, 2011 / Sheila Wilensky, AJP Assistant Editor

After retirement some people say they don’t know how they used to fit work into their busy lives — and understandably so, considering the wide range of adult education classes available in Tucson. The Brandeis National Committee, Tucson Chapter, a non-alumni philanthropic support group of Brandeis University, is offering… Read more »

Shalom Tucson brunch will spotlight synagogues
August 4, 2011

Shalom Tucson will present the ninth annual Gateway to our Synagogues bagel brunch on Sunday, Aug. 14, from 10:30 a.m. until noon at the Tucson Jewish Community Center at 3800 E. River Road. The event, which is for newcomers and anyone interested in hearing about Tucson’s synagogues, is one… Read more »

Got seder? Operation Elijah pairs first night hosts, guests
March 24, 2011

In an effort to ensure that every Jew in Southern Arizona has a seat at a seder table for Passover, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and local synagogues are joining forces for Operation Elijah, which pairs seder guests and hosts. All who are new to the community, single,… Read more »