WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Hanukkah is less than a week away, and as the Jewish community prepares to celebrate the Festival of Lights, there are also efforts underway to prioritize security.
"The Jewish community has been in this sort of heightened state, vigilance and quite frankly, on edge for the considerable past at this point," said Rusty Rosenthal.
Rosenthal is the Executive Director of Community Security for JShield, the security division of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
He told WUSA9 they work closely with Jewish community centers and synagogues across the District, Maryland, and Virginia, offering security assessments and guidance.
“We go out to institutions, conduct threat assessments, and provide recommendations on how they can improve their security,” Rosenthal explained. These recommendations often include upgrading locks, installing better access control systems, adding cameras, and improving lighting.
Rosenthal also stressed that security is a shared responsibility.
"We're asking everyone to remain aware and pay attention to what's going on around them, because anyone in any given community, they're the ones that are most familiar with, with whether it's their institution or their neighborhood. They know what's normal, So they're in the best position to recognize when something's abnormal or out of place," Rosenthal said.
The concern for security comes amid a rise in antisemitic threats in recent years.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, there have been 67 antisemitic incidents reported in the District, 138 in Maryland, and 134 in Virginia since the start of the year.
Nationwide, the ADL recorded approximately 4,500 antisemitic incidents in 2024, a significant increase from the 3,698 incidents reported in 2022 but less than the 8,872 reported in 2023.
While the threat of violence has been a growing concern Rosenthal says, since the Oct. 7 attacks, he told WUSA9 there are currently no known specific threats ahead of Hanukkah.
"There's no intelligence or information that we're aware of that there's any particular greater threat right now. But again, with the war continuing, you know, in the Middle East and with Israel and everything going on, you never know when things are going to spike," he said.
As the Festival of Lights approaches, Rosenthal’s advice is clear: While security is crucial, it should not overshadow the celebratory nature of the holiday.
“We should still be able to go out and enjoy the festival of lights,” he said.
For more information about JShIELD and their safety recommendations, click here.