URJ & SCN: Supporting Congregation Safety and Security Measures

Photo of the SCN logo; says Secure Community Network in white, on a blue circle, with a blue star of david with a yellow shield inside of it and a blue menurah underneath

Ensuring the safety of clergy, staff, and congregants has always been the highest priority for any congregation. However, implementing robust security plans can put a strain on time and resources.

To address the unique challenges of this moment, we are pleased to announce a new suite of safety and security resources, available immediately. These include on-demand support and exclusive opportunities for URJ congregational leaders to connect directly with trusted security experts, providing access to best practices and leading figures in safety and security.

Our partner in this bold endeavor is Secure Community Network (SCN). As the official homeland security and safety organization of the organized Jewish community in North America, SCN is uniquely positioned to anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of URJ congregations.

Resources include:

  • A dedicated email address (security@urj.org) for non-emergency security-related questions, providing direct access to expert support
  • A variety of on-demand digital resources and actionable tools to aid congregational professional and lay leaders in updating security plans, procedures and assessments
  • Access to live and archived webinars for security best practices
  • Guidance in identifying, collecting relevant information for and submitting applications for Nonprofit Security Grant opportunities
    • Check in with the SCN NSGP team during Office Hours to follow up with questions around application process, ensure forms are filled out correctly and stay up to date on developments. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Nonprofit SCN is the official homeland security and safety initiative of the organized Jewish community in North America, working across 146 federations, 50 partner organizations, over 300 independent communities as well as with other partners in the public, private, non-profit and academic sectors. SCN provides timely, credible threat and incident information to both law enforcement and community partners, serves as the community’s formal liaison with federal law enforcement and coordinates closely with state and local law enforcement partners.

Resources include a dedicated email for non-emergency security-related questions, on-demand digital resources, live webinars on security best practices, toolkits for updating security plans, and guidance on grant applications.

Support includes answering security questions, providing digital resources and live webinars, offering toolkits for security updates, and providing guidance with grant applications.

In addition to grant application webinars, SCN will offer elevated support to URJ congregations, providing guidance on how to effectively apply for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. SCN will also be providing URJ congregations cohort-based grant writing education opportunities.