Photo Credits: Office of the Bergen County Sheriff Bergen County Law Enforcement Hosts High Holy Days Briefing With Jewish Community Leaders
Hackensack, N.J. – With the month of September marking several high holy days for the Jewish community, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton and Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella and law enforcement held a High Holy Day briefing to discuss public safety precautions for the upcoming holy season.
The briefing which addressed concerns of increased bias incidents, security safety, pedestrian safety, and the importance of establishing open lines of communications, was attended by local community leaders from Bergen County synagogues.
The program featured remarks government officials of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office including representatives from the Bergen County Jail as well as the Bergen County Prosecutor Office and local police chiefs. Bergen County Sheriff’s & Prosecutor’s Office Chaplain, Rabbi Joel Friedman, who presided over the briefing, offered an overview of traditions and expectations for the holy season which includes Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah followed by an opportunity for faith leaders and local law enforcement to ask questions. Special thanks to Chief Michael P. Gracey, President, Bergen County Police Chiefs Association who attended along with other law enforcement officials.
Sheriff Anthony Cureton stated “With Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah quickly approaching, we thought it was important to give local religious leaders an opportunity to bring community concerns to the attention of law enforcement and learn about safety precautions that will be put in place during the busy Jewish high holy season. While there is no current or specific threat, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office plans on deploying extra patrols to synagogues, neighborhoods with higher Jewish populations, and other potentially sensitive locations during the holy season. By the same token, it is also important for law enforcement to have a constant dialogue with faith communities especially during times of high worship. It is crucial that residents feel Bergen County is a welcoming place for everyone and that starts with making sure everyone knows law enforcement is here to keep us all safe.”
Prosecutor Mark Musella said, “The safety briefing was an opportunity to reassure the community that Bergen County law enforcement is proactive in preventing acts of violence while also being prepared to rapidly respond if necessary. Communication is key – between law enforcement agencies and with the public – so if you see something, say something.”
“I would like to thank our local, county, and state law enforcement agencies for their commitment and dedication to the Jewish community across Bergen County and Northern New Jersey. I was honored to be part of this important briefing and wish everyone in observance a meaningful High Holy season” said BCSO Chaplain Rabbi Joel Friedman.
The Jewish high holy season began at sundown on Sunday, September 25th with Rosh Hashanah.
