Dear Bet Midrash Families,
As you have likely noticed by now, we have been implementing some new security measures around the Bnai Keshet campus. These changes are not in response to any known dangers or threats, but are based on lengthy consultations with the Anti-Defamation League, the FBI, and the Montclair Police Department. In particular, the MPD spent a significant amount of time walking through our buildings as part of their assessment of our space and procedures and made recommendations based on that visit. Lisa Siegartel, our new PTA president, and Laura Gelman, incoming co-president of the BK Board, were tasked by our current co-presidents with overseeing and partnering with staff to review security at Bnai Keshet.
The most noticeable change is that the doors to Red Gables will be locked at all times, and the doors to the Main Building will be locked at all times except on Shabbat mornings or during congregational events and services. Doors can only be unlocked with the use of a code that will work at the keypads at each entry door during scheduled hours. As such, the code for Bet Midrash access will only work on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays during the appropriate times. There are keypads at all entry doors to allow for access when they are scheduled to be "open.” Other groups who use our buildings will have their own codes which will work during the times they are scheduled to use the building.
We encourage you to learn how to use the keypad should you need it for picking up a child early or dropping off late. Next time you are at BK just ask a staff member, teacher, or madrikh/a to show you how to access Red Gables via the code, which will work during Bet Midrash hours.
There are several additional pieces to our security upgrades:
- New and additional door buzzers/intercoms with integrated video monitors have been installed to provide better access control for people who need to be buzzed in.
- We have collected information from national institutions on best staff response in the case of a bomb or other threat, and will be training all staff with the help of the Montclair Police Department on procedures specific to our campus. Our teaching faculty will be going through training to add lock down drills to their repertoire of responses.
- We have increased the number of silent panic buttons available to staff throughout the buildings to use in emergencies.
- Based on advice from MPD we have changed several inside door locks.
- The MPD has recently stepped up its patrol of our campus, and will continue to do regular drive-throughs and park in our parking lot to maintain a visual presence on our property, especially during community events.
The experts consulted consistently repeated that everyday vigilance should be part of our culture. This includes not leaving doors to the buildings propped open, and not admitting people behind you into the building unless you recognize them as other parents or caretakers. To this end, we look forward to re-instituting a Greeter program on Shabbat and during other community events. A community Greeter will help guide guests and members to the appropriate places (i.e., the coat room, restrooms, adult ed classes, or Bnai Mitzvah services) and be able to alert staff or authorities quickly in case of emergency.
Along with the discussion of security, we want to remind families to be vigilant about traffic safety in our parking lot and on South Fullerton Avenue. Please review our traffic procedures as a reminder of safe practices in and around Bet Midrash:
- Children should be walked into the Sanctuary on Shabbat mornings and parents should plan on remaining at least through morning blessings with their children.
- On other days, children can be dropped off at the curb between the buildings or walked in. Please only drop off at the curb between the two buildings.
- Children must be picked up from inside the buildings on all days unless they are walkers. Please do not ask your children to disobey this basic safety rule by meeting you or other caretakers outside.
- At all times, do not pass other cars pulled up to the curb in the parking lot on the right side, as you risk hitting passengers exiting the car.
- At all times, drive slowly through the parking lot, keeping alert for children and balls, and come to a complete stop in the blind curve between the two parking areas so that you can look for any hazards. Do not let children exit the car in the blind curve.
- If the parking lot entrance is blocked, please do not enter through the exit of the parking lot. This is very dangerous as people walking through the parking lot will not expect cars from that direction.
Thank you so much for helping to keep our children safe and secure on our property, and supporting us in these institutional efforts. Please feel free to reach out to Stuart Brown (stuart@bnaikeshet.org) or Rabbi Ariann Weitzman (rabbiariann@bnaikeshet.org) with any questions.
