The Atlantic

A Synagogue Shouldn’t Be a Fortress

Security experts maximize defenses. But places of worship need to remain welcoming.
Source: Brandon Bell / Getty

A few years ago, in response to the deadly 2018 attack on the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the synagogue where my children and husband are members asked me to advise its new security committee. Easy enough. It is what I do for companies, public entities, schools, and sports teams. My job is to assess risk and buttress defenses in response to those risks. That’s it. I do cold

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