One would think that taking responsibility for their own safety in the wake of horrific attacks on the synagogue at Har Nof and increased anti-Semitic sentiments both in the United States and in Europe would be a wise thing for every Jew to do. I certainly was thrilled to read in the Washington Post that U.S. Jewish institutions were beginning to examine their security…

Until I actually read the Washington Post article.

The security structure called Secure Community Network that allows Jews and other religious groups to share intelligence among themselves has been around since 2004. But now, the groups have become more intent on protecting their own.

Last month’s attack on a Jerusalem synagogue popular with Americans is the kind of thing that spurs U.S. institutions to look at their security. Since 2004, a primary clearinghouse for information and training on how to handle potential threats has been the Secure Community Network – a nonprofit created that year to beef up security at U.S. Jewish institutions.

The group, founded by several major Jewish institutions, also created an information-sharing network meant to connect Christian, Muslim and other faith groups to help one another if they learn something about a hate group that could potentially threaten others. It trains people on things including how to know whether to hire private security if you are attending or participating in a demonstration.

It all sounds well and good, right? Except, that the training it provides is “lock yourself in your office, and hope an active shooter doesn’t get you while you wait for law enforcement to arrive.” At what point do Jews say, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!” and stop acting like sheep by relying on the government to do the protecting for them?

At what point do they begin to understand that waiting for the police to arrive on the scene while an active shooter or an active stabber rampage through the building is not an optimal response (or lack thereof)?

Sharing information is good. Being aware of your surroundings is definitely useful. Having advance warning of potential attacks is critical. If this public/private partnership can help, terrific!

But why does it not provide tactical training? Why are these groups still shunning what is the most effective means of self defense today in favor of cowering in a locked office and praying for the police to show up? Why rely on police or armed security to protect you, when just one individual with a gun can stop a rampage? (For evidence of this, look no further than Jeanne Assam, who stopped a rampaging lunatic at New Life Church in Colorado in 2007.)

If Jews and other religious groups want to effectively strengthen their security, they should consider firearms training. Until they stop fearing guns and panicking hysterically at Bloomberg-funded anti-gun propaganda, their steps to protect themselves will be only perfunctory at best.