MILWAUKEE — Federal and local law enforcement agencies are on high alert after Hamas urged supporters to partake in “a day of action” on Friday amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Extra precautions were put in place in the Jewish community because of a potential threat.
Rabbi Levi Stein is the executive director of Friendship Circle in Fox Point. It houses a coffee shop that hires people with disabilities. Stein said it was the first time he decided to hire armed security to stand at the door.
“It’s a lot of things coming together right now, there’s obviously everything that’s going on in the world and there’s a lot of people that are coming out of the woodwork and not being as friendly as we would like,” Stein said. “When they turn this into a national ‘day of rage’ and make it seem like not being friendly is a good thing, we need to fight that.”
Stein said he wants to make sure customers feel comfortable when they come inside and for his employees to feel safe.
“People are just afraid right now and we want to tell them, ‘don’t worry, they’re okay, we are going to put whatever precautions we need to, but we can’t let this stuff stop us from doing what we need to do,’” he said.
Jeremiah is an army veteran and private security contractor. He said, in these times, it’s especially important to be situationally aware.
“Be cautious, just look around, know who's around you, know what you have in your pockets, know that you have your stuff together and just keep your eyes open,” he said.
Just north of Friendship Circle is The Shul Center in Bayside. Chava Edelman is the co-director of the synagogue. She said she’s added security as well.
“We are going to do what we need to do by making our security presence stronger to make sure people feel secure and safe to stand up,” she said. “I’m here, I’m Jewish, I don’t have to be scared or afraid or hide.”
She said it’s important, especially now, to be kind to one another and do as many good deeds as possible. She suggested going to this website of good deeds, to “strengthen the force of goodness and kindness in the world.”
Stein shares the same mindset as Edelman.
“The whole Jewish community is impacted by this and beyond, so keep an eye out for each other, check on each other, help each other out and continue doing what we need to do,” he said.