This is bad

[chaim]

This is disturbing (retrieved from the Jerusalem Post):

Baltimore Jewish Schools Beef Up Security

Representatives of Jewish schools throughout the Baltimore area met last week with federal, state and local law enforcement officials in an effort to address the community s concerns over security, the Baltimore Jewish Times reports.

At a meeting held Tuesday at Baltimore Hebrew University, police sought to reassure some 60 representatives of Jewish educational institutions, offering to conduct complimentary security audits of Jewish schools. They also underlined the need to report accurate information to the police regarding suspicious vehicles or persons, and stressed that the community s fears were being taken seriously.

I was very inspired with the degree of seriousness and degree of responsiveness of the authorities, a school official told the paper. They told us that if we call 911, everyone at every level in the system that has Jewish schools under their jurisdiction is aware and sensitive. It was made clear that our concerns are on their radar screen.

In recent weeks, there have been at least three episodes in which individuals were sighted outside Jewish schools in Baltimore videotaping or photographing the premises. Police are still investigating one of the incidents, in which a Saudi national was seen filming the outside of a Bais Yaakov school.

Note especially that last paragraph. Bais Yaakov is a bit off the beaten path and behind a long driveway. No one ends up there unless they mean to be there. I have many friends who send their daughters to that girls school.

Note: unfortunately I can't give you the link. The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com) requires you to register and log on to see anything but the front page and a link directly to the story will give you my log on. If you want to see for yourself go to http://www.jpost.com, then go to "Jewish World" on the right hand menu, then to "Diaspora Digest: A Review of the Jewish World", this story is in the first section.

There is a lot of concern in Baltimore about something happening. About a year ago (actually a bit more now) there was a group of Muslim men (mostly Arab but some North African) who were living in an apartment in the heart of the community who were arrested by the feds on suspicion of terrorism (maps of Jewish communities, NYC, and DC were in their possession). I haven't heard much in a while about them. (I don't know a current link to this story as it is old news). Also, those of us who have been reading Israeli papers have noticed an increase in warnings of likely terrorist attacks against Jewish communities outside Israel and especially in America (these warnings picked up just before the Turkey synagogue bombings and there is still much worry).

I guess there is a good reason why many in the Baltimore Orthodox Jewish community are arming themselves. I think the article mentioning that the police are encouraging the schools to call 911 is interesting. If it gets to more than pictures, I don't think 911 will do much to prevent a terrorist attack. In case it is something other than a bomb I really think having some armed teachers, administrators or volunteers would be a very good idea right now. I do know that some synagogues are doing just that (trying to get carry permits for some of their members, and short of that, allowing selected members to carry on synogogue property anyway).

 

[WonderNine]

I guess there is a good reason why many in the Baltimore Orthodox Jewish community are arming themselves.

And voting Democrat

 

[chaim]

And voting Democrat

What you think all Jews are Democrats? You may have picked up on my politics from past threads. I am by far one of the more politically liberal Orthodox Jews that I know (and I'm not really a liberal- I am a formerly conservative Democrat, soon to be moderate Republican, and for the last two elections I've voted for more Republicans than Democrats). The vast majority vote Republican (if they vote). Many in Baltimore are registered as Democrats, but that is only because in Baltimore if you are a Republican you don't really have a vote in local elections because no Republican can win (in fact, in many races, including some big ones, the Democrat that wins the primary is the only one on the general election ballot). Anyway, they register as Dems so they can vote in the primary and vote Republican for everything else. In the last election the vast majority of Orthodox Jews went for Ehrlich (many devoting many hours and dollars to help- one of Ehrlich's biggest rallies was in the heart of the community as well) and in fact, for the first time in some time, the majority of MD's Jews (not just the Orthodox) voted Republican to support Ehrlich.

 

[bogie]

Personally, I think that too many religimous right nutjobs make the Repellican party look bad.

 

[Oleg Volk]

Could we keep this on topic, please. The topic was threats to security of a group of people, not the nutjob content of a party.

 

[Dave R]

Chaim, you're right, it is disturbing.

I assume you are familiar with http://www.jpfo.org/

Maybe those in Baltimore who are arming themselves are becoming members?

 

[hansolo]

Anti-Semitism -- alive & well?

Wondernine: in Chaim's area(and many others), us Jews are still hated by some evil/sick people, long after Hitler was crushed. I find it a sign of positive change that Jews are choosing to arm themselves. The tone of your pithy comment regarding voting preferences tells me you may be an anti-Semite: if I'm wrong, I apologize.

 

[fix]

The definition of anti-semite is NOT "disagrees with a Jew, or has ever disagreed with a Jew!"
Anti-semitism is very real and is a lingering problem, but tossing the phrase out there every time someone disagrees with you is IMO a tactic that should be reserved to Al Sharpton and his ilk. I personally am very supportive of the Jewish people because of my religious convictions, but I do disagree with Jewish individuals from time to time.

 

[El Tejon]

Yes, very disturbing. However, opportunity exists to make inroads into opening some eyes into the importance of self-reliance and self-defense.

 

[Penforhire]

As another Jew I can say with some confidence that Jews vote their conscience. Which is to say we don't vote as a block.

That article just reminds me of the reason many temples have roving armed guards during high holy days. Not really new.

 

[tcdrennen]

hansolo - wondernine's comment was not anti-Semite, just anti-Democrat.

Another vote for JPFO - Innocents Betrayed should be widely distributed everywhere, but especially to those whose 'minority' status makes them particularly vulnerable to statist violence.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

One incident referred to:
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=52755

Saudi National Arrested – FBI Moves in Fearing an Attack was Planned against US Yeshiva
19:30 Nov 13, '03 / 18 Cheshvan 5764


(IsraelNN.com) INN has learned that a possible planned terror attack against a Baltimore religious girl’s school in the USA has been averted. On 26 October 2003, a parent observed what was described as a suspicious vehicle driven by a “Middle eastern male†while a female passenger took video footage of the School’s campus and the students. The concerned parent decided to follow the vehicle and record the license number. The description of the vehicle along with the license number was passed to the FBI Terrorism Task Force, the Baltimore County Executive, and Baltimore County Police.

According to the report, the FBI and Baltimore County Police are aggressively investigating, and are coordinating their efforts. The authorities visited the home of the alert parent to obtain firsthand statements of the events. In addition, the Saudi Arabian national who was driving the vehicle, currently a local college student, was questioned by the federal agency.

The parent interviewed by an INN correspondent reported the various law enforcement agencies are continuing the investigation, briefing school officials and parents, with the realization that in all likelihood, the alert parent averted a planned attack against the Jewish school.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

In recent weeks, there have been at least three episodes in which individuals were sighted outside Jewish schools in Baltimore videotaping or photographing the premises. Police are still investigating one of the incidents, in which a Saudi national was seen filming the outside of a Bais Yaakov school.

ACK!

Chaim, do you know if this is the BY school off Liberty Rd? I went there in the early 1970s.

Disturbing indeed.

 

[hansolo]

I think I was pretty diplomatic....I stated that the gentleman's generalization indicated he MAY, I repeat, MAY be anti-Semitic.
Further, I stated that if I were wrong, I apologize. What about the 1st amendment: are you suggesting that all Jews refain from using this rather strong term -- anti-Semitism -- unless a 3rd party gives them permission?
Sorry -- my(Jewish)dad didn't fight at the "Battle of the Bulge" so that his son could be told how to think and speak. The unfortunate fact is Neo-Nazism is on the rise and I am damned glad that the Jews in the original post(as all others)are arming themselves. BTW, I am an active member of J.P.F.O.

 

[Apple a Day]

A HUGE goodonya to the parents for keeping their eyes open and paying attention.
I'm not Jewish but I'll say a prayer for the safety of the kids.

 

[chaim]

Chaim, do you know if this is the BY school off Liberty Rd? I went there in the early 1970s.

Dave, Beis Yaakov/Bais Yaakov is off Smith Ave and it used to be in Owings Mills. With a name like Dave I somehow doubt if you are an alum of Bais Yaakov School for Girls . It is part of the large, worldwide, private school system for Orthodox Jewish girls.

The definition of anti-semite is NOT "disagrees with a Jew, or has ever disagreed with a Jew!"

Fix, what are you talking about? No one was accused of being antisemetic for disagreeing with anyone. What was called into question was using a gross overgeneralization. Often the use of stereotypes is used to demonize certain groups. In the west Jews have been protrayed as all Democrats, Socialists or Communists while in the Communist world we are all Capitalists, financiers, bankers, and other enemies of Communism who build our wealth on the backs of the poor workers (other times in the west we are accused of some of the Communist world's accusations as well to imply unscrupulous business practices). By using the liberal stereotype, especially with the hatred of Democrats on this board, WonderNine showed his ignorance, though not necessarily antisemetism. Very few Orthodox Jews are liberal (virtually none) and while most Jews outside of Orthodox Jews vote for Democrats nationwide, it is certainly changing (it isn't 50/50, yet- more like 52-55% Dem and 45% conservative).

Anyway, back to the topic of possible targeting of US citizens for terrorism due to their religion/ethinicity, in this case targeting my religion, and specifically, people I know.

I wonder if the police presence in the community last shabbos was related. Most of Sat afternoon there were helocopters circling over the community (low enough that you could feel the wind from the blades) and several police cars circling slowly around the streets.

 

[greyhound]

I sure do hope this blows over. To think that there are Islamic extremists plotting attacks in my state is a lot of people's nightmare since 9/11.

I wonder if the fact that Maryland is so self defense unfriendly may have anything to do with the fact that Islamists MAY be planning things here?

BTW, no mention in the "Baltimore Sun", as far as I've seen....

 

[MyRoad]

My parents are Jewish. Their synogogue has had large cement barricades preventing vehicles from pulling up close to the building (where people used to be picked up or dropped off) since 9/11. Living in fear is a horrible thing. Be Strong, and Be Well.

 

[Waitone]

In recent weeks, there have been at least three episodes in which individuals were sighted outside Jewish schools in Baltimore videotaping or photographing the premises. Police are still investigating one of the incidents, in which a Saudi national was seen filming the outside of a Bais Yaakov school.

What was done in those three epidsode?

1--Hmmm, that's interesting. Wonder why.
2--Let's call the police and wait for them to investigate
3--Why not videotape them videotaping us? Then we can go out and have a friendly chat.
4--We ain't puttin' up with terrorists casing our house of worship. A direct, forthright and unambigious discussion with those who threaten us is in order. If LE of any level disapproves, they can go pound sand. We ain't a target for no one.

Which option was adopted?

Not just an idle question. Buddhist temples, Christian churches, Jewish synagogs, Hindu temples, and schools (public, private, and religious) are subject to the treatment.

 

[rock jock]

in which a Saudi national was seen filming the outside of a Bais Yaakov school.

I love our immigration policy - "give us your poor, your tired, your unwashed masses, BUT, most of all, GIVE US YOUR TERRORISTS!"

 

[chaim]

Which option was adopted?

Waitone, if you look at the article Mpayne posted you'll see a parent followed the car and took down the license plate number before calling the police, the FBI and the county executive office. This is not a community that relies on outside (police) protection. We are Orthodox Jews, we aren't allowed to simply rely on others (not to mention our history shows us that isn't such a good idea). We daven (pray) for assistance multiple times daily and we do what we can so far as practical steps as well. There is a very active (almost all Orthodox) community patrol in the area. Many Orthodox Jews in the area own guns, and many more are interested in learning about them. We tend to be very aware of our surroundings and we watch out for each other as well (we are truly a community).

BTW, no mention in the "Baltimore Sun", as far as I've seen....

Yeah, greyhound I find that interesting as well. Can't imply something about those poor middle eastern immigrants, not to mention the Sun prefers to see us (Jews) as bad guys, not as victims or threatened. The only places I've seen reports are Jewish or Israeli papers. It makes it to international papers (Israeli) but not to the main local newspaper. Well, anyone who knows the Sun shouldn't be shocked.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Dave, Beis Yaakov/Bais Yaakov is off Smith Ave and it used to be in Owings Mills. With a name like Dave I somehow doubt if you are an alum of Bais Yaakov School for Girls . It is part of the large, worldwide, private school system for Orthodox Jewish girls.

(Doublechecks contents of pants.) Definitely not!

I attended a camp or preschool with that or a similar name, though, back when I lived in Pikesville. I am 35, and this was back in the early 70s, so I don't remember exactly where it was or what it was called. The place was coed, though.

 

[chaim]

I'm not familiar with that camp so I don't know if it still exists. You did give me a little bit of a scare though

 

[Fred Thompson]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, people, but in that article it says the "suspect" was a Saudi national attending a local college. So, he's not an immigrant unless he intends to apply for citizenship.
Didn't some other people come over here on student visas?

 

[itgoesboom]

Chaim,

Thanks for bringing this article to our attention. Not being Jewish, I highly doubt that I would have seen this article had you not posted it.

Regarding your comments about that parent following the car and taking down the license plate....good for them. I am glad to see that someone has the courage to actually protect their children, even if it puts themselves at risk.

You mention that you and other Orthodox Jews tend not to rely on others for outside help, and you mention that you tend to watch your surrondings. With as much anti-semitism as there is still today, it doesn't suprise me that you have to take these steps. Good for you and your community to work together to protect yourselves!

I.G.B.