High Holy Days Security
Security Updates – High Holy Days 5785 (2024)
The security measures in place, both visible and not visible (by design), will be bolstered for the High Holy Days. In addition to security cameras and police presence in the neighbourhood, uniformed security representatives will be on-site to check purses, tallit bags, and may check IDs. Unless you have small children with you, please avoid bringing a bag. HBT Staff & volunteers will be located throughout the Temple and have been trained in security procedures. Please cooperate fully with our security team and be patient. We are all partners in ensuring our Temple is safe and secure. So please: if you see something, say something.
While Holy Blossom Temple professionals and lay leaders have undertaken various training in advance of the High Holy Days, our community is made stronger when members of the congregation undertake training as well. There are many available resources online and some in-person, as outlined below. Thank you to all who have committed to bolstering their skills and awareness in this area. All exits will be announced and pointed out at the beginning of each service, as has been our practice each year.
The Toronto Police Services are here to support us, both with paid duty officers on site and on-duty officers (uniformed and plain clothes) in the neighbourhood. While not expected, we have been advised should you come across protestors or those who wish to engage in a negative manner, do not engage with them and bring it to the attention of the police.
Specific details about all security measures, systems, and protocols will not be posted online, as that would inherently make them less secure. Please see below to be introduced to the Security Committee at Holy Blossom. Please join us in expressing heartfelt thanks to this group for their extremely important work.
Security Info Session with Andrew Kirsch, HBT Security Committee Chair
Author of I Was Never Here
Monday, September 16 (passed)
If you missed this session and are interested in viewing the recording, please email Lindsay at [email protected].
Andrew is an ex-Intelligence Officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). He now runs a security consulting practice and volunteers as the Civilian Co-Chair of our local Toronto Police 13 Division Community Policing Liaison Committee (CPLC). Andrew got involved with the Holy Blossom Security Committee in 2018 when his children attended the ECC. He is the author of I Was Never Here – a true Canadian spy story of coffees, code names, and covert operations in the age of terrorism.
Jewish Security Network Community Watch Synagogue Volunteer Training
JSN is pleased to offer Community Watch Synagogue Volunteer Training Program. The introduction of security volunteers brings numerous practical and community advantages. It strengthens resilience, fosters community spirit, and enhances connectivity between the community and the synagogue. By engaging local members in safeguarding their shared spaces, this initiative builds a sense of responsibility and belonging. The program is based on a successful international model, demonstrating its effectiveness, and its launch in the Greater Toronto Area is an exciting step forward in bolstering community security and unity.
Register here for training sessions in late September/early October:
https://www.jewishtoronto.com/jsn-community-watch-synagogue-volunteer-training
Secure Community Network (SCN)
The Secure Community Network (SCN), is an organization that specializes in safety and security for Jewish institutions and offers a series of Webinars to the community. While this is a US-based organization and some of the approaches are different than here in Canada, there is a lot of valuable information shared that is useful. The Holy Blossom Temple clergy, staff, security committee, and lay leaders have been attending sessions, in addition to in-person training.
Please see the full list of offerings with dates/times and registration here: https://www.securecommunitynetwork.org/high-holidays.
Webinars include:
- The Power Of Hello
- Stop The Bleed ®
- Situational Awareness & Countering Active Threat Training (CATT)
- Securing The Synagogue
- Firearms and the Faithful
- Welcoming and Safety: The Role of Greeters, Ushers, and Volunteers
- Accessibility and Emergency Preparedness
- Personal Safety for Lay & Professional Leadership During the High Holidays
- Combating Emerging Threats
Holy Blossom Temple Active Shooter Guide
Holy Blossom Temple’s Security Committee
Holy Blossom Temple is extremely fortunate to have a wonderful Security Committee made up of members with significant expertise in the area of security, both physical and virtual.
Andrew Kirsch (Security Committee Chair) is an ex-Intelligence Officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). He now runs a security consulting practice and volunteers as the Civilian Co-Chair of our local Toronto Police 13 Division Community Policing Liaison Committee (CPLC). He got involved with the Holy Blossom Security Committee in 2018 when his children attended the ECC.
Bob Cooper has served on HBT’s security committee for the past five years. He volunteers with the UJA’s community security division as a Community Protector, and on a Jewish Day School security committee. He is the co-Head Usher for the High Holy Days and has been an Usher for High Holy Days for the past twelve years. In his spare time, he hosts the YouTube channel, @inthebiginning, dedicated to the history of Jewish baseball.
Gerry Prendergast, a retired nurse, has been a member of Holy Blossom Temple for 20 years. She joined Temple during her conversion to Judaism in 2003. Gerry cares very deeply for this wonderful community who has welcomed her and has been a huge support to her. She has coordinated the Ushers group for many years and considers it an honour to work with so many dedicated volunteers. Growing up in Ireland during the time of the troubles between the North and South, Gerry has always taken an interest in security. She has taken many courses on preparedness and recognizing danger, suspicious behaviour and how to observe the area you are in and plan ahead. She has completed courses offered by the UJA covering first aid procedures, and how to approach individuals who appear suspicious. Gerry feels it is important discuss security procedures on a regular basis.
Jonathan King has been a member of Holy Blossom Temple for many years. Both of his (adult) children have attended Leo Baeck and celebrated their Bar Mitzvah’s at Temple. He is a past Board member, Member of the Building Committee, and is currently the Chair of the Facilities Committee, along with being a member of the Security Committee. The rest of his free time includes being an Architect and Principal leading a mid-sized architectural practice, specializing in urban design master-planning, commercial, mixed-use multi-residential developments and institutional projects, including academic and sacred spaces. Jonathan provides deep experience in his understanding of the building design, functional and operational requirements of our facility.
Simeon Olsberg has been a member of Holy Blossom since birth. Sim’s background in security includes a basic training program in the IDF, being a shomer (guard) on a kibbutz in the Arava desert, 6 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces as an officer in an Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment, and 6 years as a Krav Maga instructor at the Toronto Krav Maga Academy. Sim also has participated in Close Protection/VIP training.
Richard Toker is a third-generation member of Holy Blossom Temple and a Wexner Heritage Project alumnae. He currently serves on the Temple Board of Directors as the Vice-President of Administration and as a result sits on the Security Committee. Professionally, Richard is a marketing consultant, corporate communications facilitator, and educator. He has owned a marketing agency, Branderos, since 2010, and takes pride in the work he has done and continues to do on the Holy Blossom website.
Bridgedat Ramcaran (Senior Property & Facilities Manager) has led Holy Blossom Temple’s fantastic Facilities Team, since November 2021. His responsibilities include managing the area of Security. Prior to his role at Temple, Bridge worked in Commercial Property Management Operations and Maintenance overseeing three Class A towers in Toronto.
Rachel Malach (Executive Director) grew up at Holy Blossom Temple from Preschool through Confirmation and joined the team as Executive Director just in time for the 5782 (2021) High Holy Days. Prior to her work at Temple, Rachel served as the Vice-President & General Manager at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Over the past three years, a very exciting and challenging time, it has been Rachel’s privilege to lead the amazing professional team at Holy Blossom, with the support of lay leaders and in partnership with Rabbi Splansky.
