Jewish communities across the world are implementing extraordinary security measures ahead of the Yomim Noraim as an unprecedented wave of antisemitism raises fears of terrorist attacks and lone-wolf assaults.

With tens of thousands of Yidden expected to gather in shuls on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, community leaders and security organizations are working around the clock to protect mispallelim.

In France, Britain and Germany, Jewish communal organizations are coordinating closely with local police and intelligence agencies. Armed officers and soldiers are expected to be stationed near Jewish institutions in high-risk areas, while streets surrounding major shuls will be closed to vehicles and protected with heavy concrete barriers.

Community security organizations, including Britain’s CST, France’s SPCJ and local Shomrim groups in Chareidi communities across the United States and Europe, are also deploying thousands of trained volunteers.

The volunteers have received extensive training in identifying suspicious activity, handling emergencies, providing first aid and managing large crowds. Some kehillos will require mispallelim to present identification and previously issued entry passes before entering shuls.

Many communities have also invested heavily in advanced surveillance cameras, reinforced steel doors and metal detectors as part of the heightened preparations.

Despite the serious security concerns, rabbonim are urging Yidden not to surrender to antisemitic intimidation and to attend shul in large numbers, declaring that the voices of Torah and tefillah will never be silenced.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)