GET INVOLVED. GET EMPOWERED. GET TRAINED.

The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida and Secure Community Network (SCN) have partnered to bring the Community Security Initiative (CSI) to Northeast Florida. The launch of CSI follows nearly a year of extensive community engagement and planning. Alex Silverstein hit the ground running in March of 2023 as our new Community Security Director. Many of you already know Alex, as he has been a Special Agent with the FBI here in Jacksonville for the last eight years and has supported our community many times during security planning and incident response. Alex works across our region to support every synagogue, community center, school, healthcare facility, and other center of Jewish life. Key services include facilities assessments, physical security consultation, incident response, and assistance in applying for federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program funds. He also conduct frequent trainings and exercises using SCN's flagship courses in topics such as how to identify and report suspicious activity; prepare for the possibility of an active threat; apply the nationally-recognized principles of Run-Hide-Fight if an active threat scenario occurs; and Stop the Bleed® if someone is hurt. These proven approaches, which have already been credited with saving lives during incidents across the country, help empower participants with skills that can be used at home, in the workplace, or in public, in addition to Jewish gathering places.

As the official safety & security organization for the Jewish community in North America, SCN works across 146 Federations, 50 partner organizations, over 300 independent communities, and other partners in the public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors. SCN runs the National Jewish Security Operations Command Center in Chicago, which includes a 24-hour Duty Desk that serves as the central intake and distribution point for incident and threat reporting, analysis, information sharing, and incident tracking. SCN's intelligence analysts identify and review threats around the clock and coordinate as needed with law enforcement agencies and Jewish facilities.