Last week, an arson attack targeted Beth Israel Congregation  in Jackson, Mississippi, which also houses the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life . Authorities quickly labeled the fire a targeted antisemitic act. As one local official stated, “An attack on a house of worship is an attack on the values of our entire community.”  No one was injured, but the damage to sacred space and the sense of safety was profound. In the early hours of the morning, while the

Every Jewish organization knows it needs an emergency plan. Most even have one, somewhere in a binder, a Dropbox folder, or a file that was once reviewed during a board meeting. But having a plan and implementing a plan are two very different things. The real challenge begins the moment leaders ask: “How do we actually put all of this into practice… without overwhelming staff or breaking our budget?” This is exactly where JEPP steps in. At JEPP, we specialize not only in iden

Participants engage in an emergency preparedness training session organized by the Jewish Emergency Preparedness Project. Community events are at the heart of Jewish life. Holiday celebrations, Shabbat dinners, festivals, lectures, and outdoor gatherings bring people together, strengthen connection, and create a sense of belonging. At the same time, recent events around the world remind us that public gatherings require thoughtful preparation to ensure they remain safe, welco

Evacuation Drill at JRA There is a moment that happens in nearly every training we run at JEPP. A team gathers for what they believe will be a smooth evacuation drill. After all, the protocols are written, the roles are assigned, and the maps are on the wall. But once the alarm sounds, reality steps in: emotion, confusion, movement, noise, and stress all blend together — and suddenly the team sees what no tabletop exercise could ever reveal. Recently, one congregation we work