ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Synagogues in Southwest Virginia are maintaining security measures to keep congregants safe.
Agudath Sholom Synagogue’s rabbi said its existing security efforts include exterior cameras and some law enforcement.
“We have law enforcement officers who… we might hire off-duty officers to be here for our events,” said the Lynchburg synagogue’s Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman. “We do that. And, but with on-duty law enforcement, they are very attentive to our building. The police, the sheriff, and even the FBI.”
Some synagogues in the region also have armed security teams.
Chris Ragone, owner of Executive Security Concepts, said the threat environment is driving the need for armed protection at houses of worship. His company secures multiple synagogues and houses of worship across Southwest Virginia.
“The world is just getting a little bit more crazy and violent, in my opinion,” Ragone said. “And I think, you know, it’s sad, but all houses of worship should have some kind of armed security.”
Ragone said preparation is critical if an attack occurs.
“You have to be able to have a superior firepower, and you have to have guys that have the willpower and the will to go towards that sound of gunfire and to protect the people they’re hired to protect,” Ragone said.
Beyond physical security, Rabbi Karz-Wagman said the goal is ensuring people feel free to worship.
Agudath Sholom Synagogue in Lynchburg tends to have either on-duty of off-duty law enforcement on-site for events.(Brian Richardson)
“We’re going to find ways, taking reasonable security measures, to feel comfortable and safe enough that we can fulfill our mission of helping make our own lives better,” said the rabbi. “Helping make our community better.”
Karz-Wagman, who goes by Rabbi Harley, says feeling safe is foundational to what his congregation does.
“That’s the essence of what we do as a community,” said Rabbi Harley. “And the base that enables all of that is feeling safe.”
Rabbi Harley spoke with members of his congregation following an incident at a Michigan synagogue last week, when a man drove a pickup through the front doors.
He said he does not sense added tension among them.
“Logically, I know that there’s a higher sort of awareness of safety and security,” said Karz-Wagman. “But when I talk with people, meet with people, and see who’s coming and how they’re behaving, I’m not sensing a higher level of concern. Maybe we figured out how to be both safe and still comfortable to be a spiritual home.”
Rabbi Karz-Wagman said a sanctuary is defined as a safe space, and he said he is working to keep it that way.
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