Security issues facing Temple Emanuel were discussed at the Temple Emanuel Congregational Security Update Meeting, held December 17. Panelists included Brad Orsini, Director of Jewish Community Security for the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon Chief of Police Aaron Lauth, Mt. Lebanon Deputy Chief of Police-Operations Division Paul Petras, and Mt. Lebanon Deputy Chief of Police-Support Services Division Jason Haberman. 

After Temple Emanuel President David Weisberg outlined the steps Temple has taken since the tragic event at Tree of Life, Brad Orsini reassured those in attendance that Temple is taking appropriate measures to secure the building and ensure that our members, guests, and staff feel safe when they are here. Chief Lauth talked about the police department’s excellent relationship with Temple Emanuel, which is longstanding and ongoing. He noted that Temple was one of the first religious institutions to offer ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training for its staff and teachers.

Orsini spoke to the need for the layered approach to security including but not limited to:

Deterrents: Guards, cameras, greeters, improved lighting, effective and enforced policies & procedures

Infrastructure: Hardening: bollards, protective window film, secure doors, entry portals

Response: Panic buttons, intercom systems, emergency plans, situational awareness

Intelligence: Surveillance cameras, “If you see something, say something”

Be prepared, not paranoid, Chief Lauth said. To that end, Temple is pleased to announce that the Mt. Lebanon Police Department will offer ALICE training to all adult and teen members on Monday, January 14 at 7PM at Temple. Please RSVP to the office if you plan to attend.

If you have questions regarding security at Temple, please contact David Weisberg, Leslie Hoffman or Nate Eisinger, chair of our Security Task Force.