Written by: Randall P. Lieberman , Sun-Sentinel
Much of the concern in the Jewish community since the beginning of the year has been about the recent rise in anti-Semitic activity — both nationally and locally.
To address this concern — and to look at how it is manifesting locally — U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (D, FL-21) convened a roundtable discussion on Monday, March 6 with a cross-section of leaders from Palm Beach County's Jewish community.

Also, attending the meeting were local, state and federal law enforcement officials as well as community leaders from other religions.

All told, about 50 people met at the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches in Boynton Beach to discuss this recent uptick in anti-Semitism as well as increased threats against the Muslim community.

The meeting lasted nearly two hours — and was closed to both the public and the media.

Alan Feldman, CEO of the Mandel JCC, said the meeting took place at the Mandel JCC in Boynton Beach due to its central location in Palm Beach County.

"At the Mandel JCCs (in both Boynton Beach and Palm Beach Gardens), our security has always been on high alert," Feldman said. "Our systems have been in place. However, the only way to fight this kind of thing is for our leaders to come together to stand up and shout that we are not going to tolerate this type of behavior in our community."

Frankel and Luis Fleischman — the executive vice president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the West Palm Beach-based Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County— officially addressed the media after the meeting's conclusion.

Frankel said she wanted to host the meeting as one of her listening sessions she conducts when she returns home from Washington, D.C. to the local community

Frankel said that those in attendance at the discussion asked for better gun-safety regulations; more mental health training; and increased funds for Homeland Security.

"There should be no room in our society for any type of religious bigotry," Frankel said. "I feel like this community is handling these kind of threats very well, though. Local law enforcement agencies have been very pro-active."

Frankel pointed out that most of these threats are not coming from locals — but originate from overseas or through the Internet.

Fleischman said it was good that Jewish community leaders got to express themselves about these latest incidents, but stressed that anti-Semitism has been around a very long time.

"This is nothing new," Fleischman said. "Jewish communities have always been on high alert — especially since 9 /11. Security is a large part of our budgets."

Joe Sharp, executive director of Katz Hillel Day School of Boca Raton — a Modern Orthodox Jewish day school in west Boca Raton — also addressed the media.

Sharp said the key to responding to these threats is better communication.

"This meeting strengthened our resolve to come together as a community and get on the same page," Sharp said. "We need to share our resources and concerns — then come up with some solutions."

Mel Lowell, COO of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, oversees security operations on the Federation's 100-acre campus in west Boca Raton —including the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center.

Lowell expressed gratitude that Frankel — and other elected officials — are becoming pro-active in requesting resources to address the threats that continue to disrupt JCCs and other Jewish institutions.

"Security for the thousands of students, residents, program users, employees and visitors each day on our campus has always been our utmost priority," said Lowell.

Lowell said that security on the Federation campus is handled in concert with the Department of Homeland Security — and with local, state and federal law enforcement.

"Our security policies and procedures are reviewed every day — and we conduct ongoing security evaluations to prepare and respond optimally when necessary," Lowell said. "Should any threats arise, the Federation and its security team — including local law enforcement — immediately takes any and all required steps and actions to proactively address them."

Yael Hershfield, interim regional director of the Boca Raton-based Anti-Defamation League — the leading international organization fighting anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry — attended the meeting and expressed that both individuals and groups must take a stand against all expressions of hate.

"The incivility that has been growing in our society has allowed those groups, individuals and extremist ideas that we have worked to marginalize in the past to come out of the shadows and find a voice or physical manifestation," Hershfield said.

Hershfield also pointed to a rise in attacks against other minority communities.

"As the ADL's mission is to stop the defamation of the Jewish people — and secure justice and fair treatment for all — we urge the Jewish community to pro-actively ensure its own security, then seize this moment to reach out to the other affected communities," she said.

Hershfield applauded the work of all of the law enforcement agencies that have responded to recent incidents in Florida.

"Local, state and federal authorities have worked swiftly to ensure the safety of Florida's Jewish community," Hershfield said.

If you wish to report an anti-Semitic incident or incidents, visit the website of the local office of the ADL at florida.adl.org or call the office at 561-988-2900.