Boosted security for synagogues on Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah

Long Island law enforcement will step up patrols at synagogues and religious facilities across the region for the upcoming Jewish New Year, although officials insist there are no credible threats to public safety.

As in previous years, some synagogues are hiring armed guards for the holidays, which often attract the largest number of visitors they see all year. Other temples are requiring people to show IDs along with their tickets to get in.

The celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, takes place from sunset on Sunday, Sept. 25 to nightfall on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Judaism’s High Holy Days continue with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, from sundown on Oct. 4 into the following evening.

“The Nassau County Police will be increasing and intensifying patrols around all Houses of Worship during the High Holy Days," said Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. "The department is also utilizing our Intelligence Unit which continues to work with our local, state and federal partners with regard to intelligence gathering. Although there are no credible threats to Nassau County at this time, I urge the public to call 911 immediately if they see or hear anything suspicious.”

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said his department was also stepping up "patrols around religious institutions for the upcoming Jewish holidays. Currently, there are no credible threats in Suffolk County, however, we continue to share information with our law enforcement partners."

Rabbi Ronald Androphy of the East Meadow Beth El Jewish Center said security guards will be present both at the front and rear entrances to the synagogue and congregants and their family members must show their tickets to enter.

"We expect Nassau County police to drive by periodically," Androphy said. "Nassau County auxiliary police are usually present t times of high volume … We feel quite safe and secure thanks to the measures we have taken and thanks to the NCPD."

Rabbi Anchelle Perl of the Chabad of Mineola said the synagogue employs private security that will be enhanced by Nassau police patrols outside.

"We are looking forward to a very safe and secure high holiday season," Perl said. "We have been focused on this the last few weekends to make it clear to everybody who comes on a regular basis … to be very aware and to be on their toes."

On Friday, leaders of the Long Beach Police Department will be joined by some of the city's faith-based leaders to announce increased security for the holidays.

The Anti-Defamation League reports anti-Semitic hate crimes have risen in recent years.

Thus far in 2022, the ADL has tracked 79 antisemitic incidents against Jews in the state including graffiti of a swastika found in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow and antisemitic flyers tossed onto driveways and lawns in Rockville Centre, Oceanside and Long Beach, each of which have large Jewish populations

Several variations of the flyer — focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration or conspiracies about the "Jew's plan for world domination" — appeared over the summer. Law enforcement officials said the flyers are the work of the Goyim Defense League, a loose network of antisemitic conspiracy theorists and internet trolls.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.