The UJA-Federation of New York and Jewish Community Relations Council of New York have launched a $4 million initiative to improve security at Jewish institutions in the New York metro area.

Developed in partnership with the Paul E. Singer Foundation, Carolyn and Marc J. Rowan, and several foundations, the Community Security Initiative will work to provide the highest level of protection at Jewish institutions in all five boroughs of New York City as well as Westchester County and Long Island — including developing the infrastructure needed to support and train security professionals in synagogues, Jewish community centers, and schools.

Mitchell D. Silber, who served as the director of intelligence analysis for the New York City Police Department before co-founding the Guardian Group with former New York City Police commissioner Raymond Kelly, has been named executive director of the initiative. In that role, Silber will work with David Pollock, JCRC-NY's associate executive director and director of public policy and Jewish security, to help institutions improve their security, access government funding for security efforts, and build a more robust communications system.

"The recent wave of anti-Semitic crimes over the past week, including the horrific attack in Monsey, New York, during a Hanukkah celebration, demonstrates the urgent need for additional levels of security for Jewish institutions," said UJA-Federation of New York CEO Eric S. Goldstein. "With his extensive frontline expertise protecting Jewish communities, Mitchell D. Silber is uniquely qualified to lead this team and work with Jewish institutions and city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to address the threats facing New York's Jewish community."

"The safety and security challenges facing Jews and our communal institutions are unprecedented," said JCRC-NY executive vice president and CEO Michael Miller. "This new initiative will have the resources to provide professional guidance and training to synagogues, schools, and other Jewish organizations in order to best protect all who enter our doors."