B’nai B’rith plans community contacts with emergency responders — Jerusalem Post
B’nai B’rith International plans to launch a pilot initiative in selected communities in North America, Latin America and Europe to establish ongoing contacts between Jewish communities and emergency services. In an opinion piece for the Israeli publication Jerusalem Post, the organization’s CEO proposed developing cooperation with police, firefighters, paramedics, ambulance personnel and rescue workers.
The author of the column believes that video surveillance systems, security plans and volunteer patrols are important for communities but cannot fully replace personal ties with those who respond to emergency calls.
Visits to emergency services
As part of the pilot project, synagogues and B’nai B’rith lodges are to visit fire stations, ambulance stations and police precincts. Proposed formats include thank-you visits, joint lunches, tours introducing Jewish life and regular communication. The goal is for emergency service personnel to personally know people from the local Jewish community.
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The organization plans to involve synagogues, federations, security networks, associations of emergency service workers and other community structures that already have local contacts. B’nai B’rith International said it has thousands of volunteers in nearly 50 countries and has worked with rescue workers after natural disasters for decades.
The author’s position on antisemitism
The author of the column stated that police, fire and medical service personnel, like other members of society, may be influenced by antisemitic claims. In his view, personal relationships built in advance can reduce the risk of biased treatment when responding to calls.
As an example, he cited visits he organized in the past to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington for newly appointed leaders of the New York Police Department. The author also described his own interactions with police officers on duty outside a synagogue, emphasizing the importance of human contact before a crisis situation arises.
