Consultations & Assessments
From entrances to emergency protocols, we’ll help ensure your physical space is as secure as your mission is meaningful. Request an assessment
Protecting Our Community, Together
Because safety shouldn’t be optional
As threats to Jewish institutions rise, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington invests in our community’s safety through JShield—a Federation-powered initiative that helps Jewish organizations across the region stay safe, prepared, and resilient.
Together, we’re strengthening a responsive Jewish community
JShield provides expert assessments, security training, grant support, and trusted partnerships—working hand-in-hand with synagogues, schools, and institutions of all sizes to build a culture of security grounded in care and confidence.
Witnessed something suspicious? Report it to our security team—your information will be handled promptly and confidentially. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Customized Training
JShield’s training sessions build awareness, confidence, and readiness to respond to potential threats. Explore trainings
Grant Writing Support
Our support helps you access critical Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding for security upgrades, training, and personnel. Learn more
When people gather for Jewish life at synagogues, schools, and community spaces, they seek connection, learning, and shared values. Creating environments where that can happen freely and confidently is a shared responsibility. JShield approaches security training as empowerment, not fear, grounded in awareness, preparedness, and calm, appropriate response.
About the Shield Program
The Shield Program is JShield’s organizing framework for security training, designed to grow with each institution over time. Trainings are customized and modular, reflecting each community’s culture, values, and real-world needs. Together, these trainings support a shared approach to preparedness—helping individuals and institutions move from basic awareness toward stronger readiness, resilience, and coordinated response.
This work is made possible through The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s investment in community security, ensuring that expert training and support are accessible to Jewish institutions across the region, regardless of size or resources. Organizations can begin with a single workshop and build deeper preparedness over time.
Core Safety & Preparedness Training
Foundational trainings that build shared awareness, clear roles, and coordinated response across your community.
Emergency Procedures
Review and refine your core emergency protocols so staff and community members understand their roles during a crisis. This training builds shared confidence and coordinated action when seconds matter.
Situational Awareness
Learn how to read your environment, trust instinctive signals, and identify anomalies early. Participants gain practical skills to recognize potential risks before they escalate into threats.
De-Escalation
Conflict is often verbal before it becomes physical. This training teaches practical communication strategies—empathy, active listening, and boundary-setting—to lower tension and resolve situations safely.
Incident Awareness
Understand the full lifecycle of an incident, from observation to resolution. Participants learn how to recognize, report, and communicate critical details that support first responders and protect the community.
Missing Student Protocols
When a student cannot be located, speed and coordination are critical. This training replaces panic with process, outlining clear steps for securing perimeters, organizing searches, and managing communication with families and law enforcement.
Building Evacuation Training
Go beyond standard fire drills to practice moving large groups efficiently under real-world conditions. Participants learn exit routes and assembly points until they become instinctive.
Safety Practices During Carpool
Arrival and dismissal are vulnerable moments. This training helps streamline traffic flow and procedures to protect pedestrians, vehicles, and facility perimeters during peak times.
Crisis Response & Threat Mitigation
Advanced trainings focused on high-stakes scenarios, decision-making, and life-saving response.
Active Threat Training
Learn evidence-based, building-specific strategies designed to maximize survivability during a violent intrusion. Participants are empowered to make clear, life-saving decisions under extreme pressure.
How to Survive a Security Crisis
When prevention fails, response matters. This training focuses on mental clarity and practical actions to protect personal safety during high-stakes incidents.
Stop the Bleed
A hands-on workshop teaching simple, proven techniques to control severe bleeding. Participants practice life-saving interventions that can make a critical difference before professional help arrives.
On-the-Ground Crisis Team & Simulation
Theory alone isn’t enough. This training uses realistic, controlled scenarios to test response plans, identify gaps, and build confidence through practice.
Security Incident Tabletop Exercise
Walk through a hypothetical crisis in a discussion-based setting. This exercise stress-tests protocols, reveals communication gaps, and strengthens decision-making without the disruption of a full drill.
Leadership, Planning & Security Operations
Specialized training for leadership, planners, and security professionals responsible for organizational safety.
Strategic Crisis Management for Directors
Designed for senior leadership, this training provides decision-making frameworks for navigating complex emergencies with clarity, calm, and effectiveness.
Security Event Planning and Execution
Integrate security seamlessly into events of all sizes. This training ensures safety measures support the event’s success without overshadowing the experience.
Periodic Training for Security Guards
Keep in-house or contracted security teams aligned with current best practices. This training reinforces consistent skills, awareness, and alignment with your institution’s culture.
Advanced Security Professionals Training
A professional-level training offering advanced instruction in threat assessment, surveillance detection, and tactical response for career security personnel.
Community Culture, Awareness & Specialized Contexts
Trainings that integrate safety into daily community life, cultural understanding, and shared responsibility.
Security as a Culture
Shift from reactive security to shared responsibility. This training embeds safety awareness into everyday community life so looking out for one another becomes second nature.
Recognizing an Employee or Student in Crisis
Learn how to identify signs of distress and approach individuals with empathy. Early intervention helps prevent personal crises from becoming safety incidents.
Online Safety and Scam Awareness
Safety extends beyond physical spaces. This training equips participants with tools to recognize scams, protect personal information, and stay secure online.
Understanding Judaism: An Introduction for Security Professionals
Help non-Jewish security professionals understand Jewish rhythms, holidays, and practices so protection is informed, respectful, and context-aware.
Sacred Vigilance: High Holiday Ushers & Greeters
Ushers and greeters set the tone and are often the first to notice concerns. This training balances warm hospitality with effective vigilance.
Safety and Security During Day and Overnight Trips
Plan for safety beyond your building. This training covers contingencies, medical readiness, and communication protocols for off-site programs and travel.
Safe Travels: Security for Professionals
Prepare for business and professional travel with guidance on digital security, transportation awareness, lodging safety, and situational judgment from start to finish.
Self-Defense Series
A progressive series focused on personal safety, confidence, and tactical awareness.
Self-Defense Part 1: Empowerment
Focus on mindset, boundaries, and the right to personal safety. Participants build confidence and learn how to respond decisively to threats.
Self-Defense Part 2: Environmental Weapons
Learn how everyday objects can become tools for protection when escape is needed, creating distance and opportunity to get to safety.
Self-Defense Part 3: Tactical Awareness
An advanced session integrating physical skills with movement strategy, helping participants navigate hostile environments and position themselves for safer outcomes.
Custom & Specialized Training Solutions
Have a specific concern or unique environment? JShield collaborates with institutions to design customized training tailored to specific risks, populations, or scenarios.
Request Training
JShield strengthens Jewish institutions across Greater Washington by focusing on four core areas of community security:
- Awareness: We share timely alerts, situational updates, and threat assessments to keep Jewish institutions informed and responsive.
- Facility Enhancements: We conduct professional site assessments and advise on practical steps to strengthen physical security (target hardening)
- Training & Preparedness: We offer free, customized trainings—from situational awareness to crisis response—designed to build confidence, preparedness, and resilience.
- Law Enforcement Coordination: We maintain close working relationships with local and federal law enforcement to support proactive planning and rapid response.
Our Approach
Security starts with understanding your environment. JShield works directly with leadership at Jewish institutions to assess current safety needs, conduct thorough security walkthroughs, develop strategic security roadmaps, and support grant applications for local, state, and federal funding.
Our Partners
We work closely with trusted organizations—including the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Secure Community Network (SCN), and Community Security Service (CSS)—to provide 24/7 threat monitoring, intelligence analysis, training, and crisis response.
Through these partnerships, JShield extends access to real-time resources that strengthen the safety and resilience of our community.
With $300M in federal NSGP funding available, Federation’s JShield program helps Jewish institutions navigate the complex grant process—bringing over $5.25M in security funding to our region in 2025 alone.
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Gathering with Jewish foundation and Federation leaders, we focused on bold strategies to fight antisemitism, build pluralistic community, and strengthen Jewish life through collaboration and shared purpose.
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Following an antisemitic arson attack on Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is coordinating support for recovery, rebuilding, and community safety.
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Thanks to the vigilance of a few community members, a recent security concern was quickly resolved—highlighting how instinct, awareness, and training can make all the difference in keeping our community safe.
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In the wake of tragedy, Federation CEO Gil Preuss reflects on stories of heroism and the enduring power of humanity. From Bondi to beloved films, he urges us to “turn up our humanness” and carry empathy and courage into the new year.
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In the wake of the Bondi attack, we are once again reminded that unchecked hate escalates—from words to violence. It’s time for moral clarity, stronger leadership, and unwavering resistance to antisemitism in all its forms—both in our circles and on the global stage.
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Russell H. “Rusty” Rosenthal
Executive Director, Community Security
Rosenthal most recently served as Vice President, Security, and Law Enforcement for ADL, and joins Federation with 25 years of investigative, executive leadership, and legal experience with the FBI, including in Israel, where he led the FBI office from 2019-2022.
Rosenthal has an extensive operational background in high-risk, complex environments, and has led diverse teams in investigating cyber, counterterrorism, criminal, as well as internal investigations. This expertise, coupled with his significant experience in evaluating security vulnerabilities, conducting risk assessments, and developing risk mitigation plans will be a tremendous asset to the Greater Washington community and Federation.
Shay HaLevi
Deputy Director, Community Security
Shay’s career began as an IDF Lieutenant in the Landmines and Explosive Unit, progressing to Master Sergeant in the Israeli Special Police Force (Lahav 433), specializing as an undercover detective. Over a decade, he gained experience in offensive and defensive training, developing a comprehensive skill set for real-time combat Participating in joint operations with Israeli intelligence, including ISA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mossad, Shay excels in field and urban warfare, threat assessment, and investigation. Now, with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, he brings extensive experience, dedicating years to diverse roles within the Jewish community. As the former Security Director at CESJDS, Shay ensured community safety, showcasing proficiency. His professional journey transitioned seamlessly to the United States, where he assumed pivotal security roles in local synagogues. A Bar Ilan University graduate in Social Studies majoring in Criminology and Penology, Shay combines academic knowledge with practical expertise.
Dr. Adam Bronstone
Grant Specialist
Dr. Adam Bronstone has worked in the Jewish communal field for two decades, including several federations in the United States and Canada. During this time, he has had community relations and security-related responsibilities, including working with law enforcement, conducting security assessments, and helping Jewish organizations apply for and receive federal and state security grants for needed security enhancements. Adam has also worked with Jewish organizations in the post-award management of security grants phase. Adam has a doctorate in political science and is well-versed in security-related issues, including the rise and current state of antisemitism and hate crimes in general.
Laura Katzif
Community Security Advisor – NOVA
Laura joins our team in conjunction with her current role as Director of Security for the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia. She is responsible for all aspects of security, to include incident response, assessments, physical security including CCTV, access control, and alarm systems, guard force, grants, and training for members of the community. Laura has over 20 years of experience in corporate security, crisis and emergency management, and business continuity. She has worked with Georgetown University’s Office of University Safety, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fairfax County’s Health Department and Office of Emergency Management, and the World Bank. Laura is a certified firefighter/paramedic, a member of ASIS International, the leading professional organization for security professionals, and the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals.
Ty Mooney
Intelligence Analyst
Ty’s career began in law enforcement, where he served as a police officer and investigator for the Prince George’s County Police Department in Maryland for six years. During that time, he gained specialized experience in open source intelligence and social media investigations. Now with Federation, Ty brings analytical and technical skills to help increase our community’s situational awareness and strengthen our security posture. Ty has a master’s degree in cybersecurity technology and a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice.
In 2024, we helped secure $3.8 million in government grants for local Jewish institutions.
JShield is here to help your organization navigate the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) and other funding opportunities. Our team provides free, hands-on support to Jewish institutions across Greater Washington—helping you strengthen your physical security and readiness through expert guidance and consultation.
About the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
The NSGP offers up to $150,000 per organization for physical security enhancements, personnel, planning, and training. Applications typically open in late February and are due within 2–4 weeks.
This federal initiative is designed to help at-risk nonprofit organizations prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats, and is administered through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
How to Get Ready
Given the short application window for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), we encourage you to start preparing now by taking the following steps:
- Request grant support using the form below.
- Gather required documents This includes your IRS determination letter and your mission statement on official letterhead.
Learn More About Security Grant Support
- Document recent incidents Compile a list of any hate-related incidents affecting your organization or members over the past three years—even if they occurred offsite.
- Plan your request Consider which physical security upgrades, personnel, or training you would include in your application.
- Review a sample application View a 2023 NSGP application to get familiar with the process (note: 2024 guidelines may vary).
Your values. Your impact.
Security-focused giving protects Jewish life across Greater Washington—keeping our institutions safe, our communities resilient, and our future secure.
Your support powers 24/7 threat monitoring, emergency response, hands-on training, infrastructure upgrades, and access to critical federal security funding. Together, we’re protecting what matters most.
Direct your impact