The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Anti-Defamation League teamed up to offer community partners a proactive security briefing.

Submitted by Denise Brodey, VP, Marketing & Communications, Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford

West Hartford Police Chief Tracey Gove and members of the West Hartford Police Department Community Relations staff met with Jewish Federation and partner agency leadership for a security Summit on June 4, 2015. The half-day meeting was co-sponsored by the AntiDefamation League and the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council. Submitted photo

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and local law enforcement, held a state-wide Security Summit on June 4, 2015, for more than 40 community professionals and volunteers.

The Summit, which covered preventative security and cyber-security measures, was part of the Federation’s ongoing mission to provide the Federation’s partners, houses of worship and community leadership with information to safeguard community against security threats and emergencies.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford is part of a national network, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), which provides emergency response, security and preparedness resources as well as advocacy resources and help for Jews worldwide.

The half-day summit included speakers from the ADL’s national security experts as well as West Hartford Police Chief Tracey Gove and top-ranking officers from his department, who spoke about the importance of developing relationships with local law enforcement before an incident occurs.

In addition, Kevin Kline, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s New Haven Field Office, presented information on the international threat of ISIS and how international threats affect the Connecticut Jewish community.

ADL Connecticut Interim Regional Director Marji Lipshez-Shapiro gave attendees advice and tools to craft their own personalized security plans.

“Each organization’s representative left the summit with an understanding of the national news as well as information to help their local institution create a pro-active, personalized plan,” said Laura Zimmerman, the Federation’s public affairs director, who organized this Summit with leaders of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. “In a time of heightened security, we are grateful that so many people made this meeting a priority.”

Since 1945, Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford has been a community leader and change agent, working with a diverse set of partners to create a thriving, caring and connected Jewish network in 30 towns in Greater Hartford. Federation collaborates with partners across the State to create meaningful connections to Israel; care for the neediest and bring Jewish values to life. For details on the ongoing work of the Jewish Community Relations Council, the public affairs voice of the Jewish Federation, visit our website: www.jewishhartford.org or email Laura Zimmerman, [email protected].