New York, NY, September 2, 2004… To help synagogues and Jewish institutions effectively prepare for the security concerns surrounding the High Holidays the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has renewed its campaign to urge institutions to update their security plans and procedures.

"With continued terror warnings, and the ever-present potential for attack on Jewish institutions, security must become a daily priority for the American Jewish community," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "Our goal is to raise security awareness by offering guidelines and concrete steps that will meet the needs of congregations while not interfering with the religious practices and traditions associated with the High Holidays."

A longtime leader in security preparedness, ADL is working closely with communities around the country to encourage institutions to have adequate protection, especially during the time of year when Jews gather in large numbers. A series of ADL ads in major Jewish publications urges institutions to reexamine their security procedures and develop year-round security protocols.

The centerpieces of the League's security initiative are ADL's security manuals, the new on line edition of Keeping Your Jewish Institution Safe and Security for the High Holy Days…and Every Day.  Both manuals are available on the League's Web site http://www.adl.org/security.

ADL's 30 regional offices are conducting local security training seminars in partnership with state, federal and local law enforcement to help Jewish institutions prepare and implement a security plan.

Additionally, ADL has contributed the "Security" chapter in United Jewish Communities' Emergency Planning: Disaster and Crisis Response Systems for Jewish Organizations and the "Religious Institutions" chapter in Building Security: A Handbook for Architects published by McGraw-Hill.