Friday, March 29, 2024 -
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FBI awards JEWISHcolorado

JEWISHcolorado has received the 2020 Federal Bureau of Investigation Director’s Community Leadership Award.

This award recognizes institutions that have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their local communities by assisting the FBI in combatting crime, terrorism, drugs and violence in America.

“Our first priority is to keep everyone in our community safe,” says Rabbi Jay Strear, JEWISHcolorado’s president and CEO.

“As a community-centered institution, we’re honored to be recognized for upholding this priority, and we will continue to ensure that we do everything possible to protect against all threats.”

Jco’s regional safety and security initiative is a partnership between the local Jewish federation, local agencies and funders, and the Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America.

Partners in the Jco initiative are the Mountain States ADL, Rose Community Foundation, Jay and Rose Phillips Foundation and others.

Since its launch, Jco’s regional safety and security initiative has completed 30 safety trainings reaching 550 people, conducted 50 security assessments, and helped secure $1.25 million in federal Dept. of Homeland Security and other grant funding, allowing recipient organizations to enhance security.

The best prevention against any kind of threat is training and readiness,” says Lynn Geller, HEA’s interim CEO.

“At HEA, the safety and security of everyone who enters our building is our top priority. It’s vital to being able to fulfill our mission as a congregation.

“We’re grateful to JEWISHcolorado and the Secure Community Network for providing training for our lay leaders and for helping so many organizations be better prepared and more protected.”

Initially piloted in Memphis in 2018, the model for the SCN and JEWISHcolorado partnership was developed in coordination with federal law enforcement partners and public safety experts.

The program includes the design, development and implementation of a comprehensive security framework that connects the local community to SCN’s best-practice intelligence, physical security, training and response resources.

Since the creation of the federation-SCN partnership program, more than 90% of all full-time federation security initiatives have followed the model.

“We are thrilled that this partnership is being recognized for keeping our communities safe,” says Michael Masters, national director and CEO of SCN.

“It’s a testament to both organizations’ dedication to the safety and security of the Jewish community.” n




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