|
November 17, 2003
Orthodox Union
Outraged by Istanbul Car Bombings at Congregations Beth Israel and Neve
Shalom
The Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish synagogue
organization, is shocked and outraged by the car bombings that took place
on Shabbat in front of the Congregations Beth Israel and Neve Shalom in
Istanbul, Turkey. This vicious act of terrorism targeted innocent people
who were at Shabbat prayers and claimed twenty-three lives and injured
over three hundred. Once again, terrorists have proved that they will stop
at nothing, including murdering innocent civilians in houses of worship,
in order to further their nefarious mission. Our hearts and prayers go out
to all who were lost or injured in the attack. May their families be
comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
While at this time officials report that they know of no specific threats
directed towards the Jewish community or Jewish targets in the United
States, we nevertheless reiterate our warnings for the need for increased
vigilance at synagogues and Jewish schools, organizations, and
institutions. Synagogues should increase their vigilance and surveillance.
Any unusual incidents should be reported immediately to the police. Try to
obtain a physical description of the suspicious individual, license
numbers, and any other identifying characteristics. A disposable camera
should be on hand to for valuable photographs of suspicious individuals.
Synagogues should be in touch with their local police departments and
inform them of the schedule of services that they can provide more
security visibility. Synagogues leaders should ask congregants not to
gather outside the building during or after services.
A on-line handbook dealing with security issues of special concern to
synagogues and other Jewish institutions prepared by the ADL and the
Orthodox Union is available at
www.ou.org/public/security/default.htm. It includes many chapters on
precautions such as crime prevention, bomb threats, and more. To obtain a
printed copy of the Security Alert, please call (212) 613-8285.
-30-
The Institute for Public
Affairs is the non-partisan public policy research and advocacy arm of the
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest
Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization founded in 1898.
|
