Active attacker response training hosted by Shalom Austin. Credit: Wendy Goodman

Over the past two weeks, a series of incidents has left many in our community feeling unsettled. We have witnessed a troubling uptick in antisemitic activity. These include the thwarted attack on Houston’s Congregation Beth Israel, antisemitic graffiti at Austin’s Congregation Beth Israel, protesters outside our community’s Yom HaAtzmaut celebration, and white supremacist flyers distributed in a North Austin neighborhood.

Our security and public affairs teams work tirelessly to keep our community safe—both on the Dell Jewish Community Campus and beyond. Below are just a few of the actions currently underway.

Advocacy in Washington, D.C.

This weekend, 14 community members and staff will travel from Austin to Washington, D.C. for a mission focused on advocating for the safety and security of the Jewish community. We will call for increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, additional FBI resources to prosecute hate crimes, and stronger regulations addressing hate speech and incitement to violence on social media. We are going to Washington to make one thing clear to our elected officials: our safety is not optional, and our security is not negotiable.

Preparedness and Training

On Monday, more than 100 community members attended an active attacker response training hosted by Shalom Austin, featuring a presentation by the San Antonio FBI. Our security team routinely works with local and regional law enforcement to ensure we are prepared to respond effectively in the event of an emergency.

Ongoing Engagement with Civic Leadership

We meet regularly with elected officials across the city and will soon convene a roundtable discussion with Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis and Jewish community leaders. These conversations help us better understand evolving public safety threats and ensure decision-makers are informed about who we are and the challenges we face.

Our goal is a community where we can pray, learn, and engage in Jewish life without fear.

As we head into Jewish American Heritage Month, we are looking forward to celebrating our community’s resilience and shared history. For more information, please visit our website.

To stay informed about our advocacy efforts, we invite you to sign up for updates here: shalomaustin.org/subscribe.

L’Shalom,

Nora Lieberman
Shalom Austin Public Affairs Committee Chair

Emily Bourgeois
Shalom Austin Public Affairs Director

Andy Dooher
Community Security Director