As Jewish communities prepare to observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, synagogues and Jewish institutions across South Florida and around the world will welcome larger-than-normal gatherings of congregants, families, and visitors. These sacred observances bring communities together in powerful ways — and they also require an increased focus on security, preparedness, and situational awareness to ensure that every person in attendance can worship with confidence and peace of mind.

The Threat Facing Jewish Institutions

The threat facing Jewish institutions remains significant and cannot be understated. According to the Secure Community Network, recently released FBI data showed 1,528 anti-Jewish hate crimes were reported nationwide in 2025 — representing approximately 63% of all reported religiously motivated hate crimes. Recent incidents have also demonstrated that threats can range from vandalism and intimidation to targeted acts of violence.

In March 2026, the FBI described an attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community. These incidents serve as a clear reminder that no institution should assume it is beyond the reach of those with harmful intent — and that preparation must begin long before the High Holidays arrive.

Why the High Holidays Require Heightened Security

During the High Holidays, synagogues experience conditions that create unique security challenges unlike any other time of the year. Increased attendance brings unfamiliar visitors, extended service schedules, heavy parking activity, and multiple simultaneous points of entry — all of which can create vulnerabilities if not properly managed in advance.

Security planning should therefore begin well before the first congregant arrives. The Secure Community Network’s 2026 High Holiday guidance emphasizes four essential pillars: preparedness, awareness, training, and strong cooperation with law enforcement. These are not optional considerations — they are the foundation of a protection program that allows communities to celebrate without fear.

The Layered Security Approach for High Holiday Observances

Effective protection during the High Holidays requires multiple overlapping layers of security — not a single measure standing alone. Bryant Security recommends the following integrated approach for synagogues and Jewish institutions:

What Every Synagogue Should Have in Place Before the High Holidays

Based on Bryant Security’s four decades of experience protecting Jewish institutions across South Florida, the following steps should be completed before the first High Holiday service begins:

• ✓ Engage licensed, trained security personnel — armed or unarmed based on threat assessment — for all High Holiday services and events
• ✓ Coordinate with local law enforcement to share your schedule, attendance expectations, and any specific concerns
• ✓ Establish and communicate clear visitor identification and check-in procedures for unfamiliar attendees
• ✓ Inspect and test all surveillance cameras — verify coverage of entry points, parking areas, and perimeter
• ✓ Review and update your emergency response plan with all staff, clergy, and security personnel before services begin
• ✓ Brief volunteers and ushers on their role in reporting suspicious behavior and communicating with security
• ✓ Secure all secondary entry points — side doors, parking lot access points, and delivery areas — during services
• ✓ Establish a clear communication protocol between security personnel, clergy, and administration during services

Security Should Not Diminish the Spirit of the Holidays

Enhanced security should not dampen the spirit of the High Holidays. The goal is not to create an atmosphere of fear or to transform a sacred space into something that feels like a checkpoint — it is to create an environment where families can celebrate, worship, and gather with confidence while trained professionals remain vigilant and focused on what is happening around them.

A well-planned, professionally executed security program becomes invisible to congregants. What they experience is peace of mind. What they feel is safe. And that feeling — the freedom to fully participate in one of the most meaningful observances of the Jewish year without worry — is exactly what Bryant Security works to provide.

40 Years Protecting Jewish Communities in South Florida

At Bryant Security Corporation, protecting schools, synagogues, community centers, and religious institutions has been part of our mission for over 40 years. We understand the unique environments, schedules, and communities we serve — and we approach each engagement with the cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and commitment that South Florida’s Jewish community deserves.

From Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur and beyond, Bryant Security is here to ensure that your institution can focus on what matters most: prayer, reflection, community, and celebration. Let us handle the security so your congregants can focus on the holidays.

Shana Tova — Bryant Security wishes the entire Jewish community a happy, healthy, and safe New Year.