West Hempstead leaders joined a critical High Holiday security briefing this past Thursday, September 26th, where Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Nassau County Police Commissioner Pat Ryder addressed community concerns ahead of the Jewish High Holidays. The meeting, which included local religious leaders and security personnel, focused on safety measures for upcoming holidays and the sensitive October 7th anniversary of Hamas’ 2023 attack on Israel.
Blakeman and Ryder reassured attendees that the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) is prioritizing synagogue and community security, promising increased patrols and coordination with Jewish institutions. “We feel confident that NCPD is there for us and has our backs,” one West Hempstead synagogue security representative said.
This briefing comes as synagogues worldwide are on high alert. During the Jewish High Holiday season, which includes Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, Jewish communities face heightened security risks. The upcoming October 7th anniversary marks the date of a devastating attack by Hamas that resulted in widespread loss of life, further intensifying security concerns. Many synagogues have implemented increased security protocols in response to the rising threat of anti-Semitic violence.
In Nassau County, the NCPD has ramped up its protective efforts to ensure that congregations can observe the holidays safely, offering an extra layer of reassurance during this period of heightened global tension.
