Security Team
Our Security Team members have gone above and beyond in the last few weeks, taking entire days off work at times to stand at the entrance of HEA – rain or shine – to welcome our families and students into the building and help keep our community safe. Like Abraham, who in Parshat Vayera stands at the entrance of his tent even in a time of pain himself after his circumcision, these Security Team volunteers have themselves found healing through welcoming others.
As Amir Kaufman the
Head of our Security Team reflected, “The last several weeks were extremely hard on all of us. For me, when the war started, I had an internal conflict: should I go to Israel and help there while our families are going through these horrifying times, or should I stay here and support my local community? While it was a hard decision, I realized my place is here, helping my community feel safe and secure. This proactivity began on Sunday when the religious school was walking with its teachers and Rabbi Shulman—who was carrying a Torah—to Temple Sinai to celebrate Simchat Torah with them. It continued with working with the preschool and my team to provide security for them during the weeks when school was in session to alleviate the concerns and fears of the preschool families. As the days went by, I got to know the parents and the kids. It filled my heart with joy (which is something very much missed these days) to know that I help in keeping them safe. The families were very appreciative of our help, and I felt good by being in a place that understood what was going on inside of me. As much as I helped the religious school and the preschool, I feel that doing this work also helped me.”
Several members of our Security Team joined the HEArt religious school on Simchat Torah to march our Torah from HEA to Temple Sinai for a powerful joint program between the two synagogues. When we planned this program months ago, we never could have anticipated how moving it would be on October 8th to witness students singing HaTikvah together while waving Israel flags.
Another leader of our Security Team, Ted Brooks remembers about that day, “I had the honor to accompany our religious school kids to my former shul, Temple Sinai for an amazing and joyous Simchas Torah celebration. While my focus was their security and traffic control, I was marched to Temple Sinai by an excited group of kids, eager to celebrate, share, meet and greet new friends and by Mitch playing the drums the whole way. A quick stop for lemonade provided by a wonderful young lady, Meital, and her father, Nate, and we continued on to our new friends waiting to meet us. I am thankful for the opportunity to see old friends at Temple Sinai, to share in the joyous event and to feel like I can do something for my community.”
Like Ted, Amir, and other members of our Security Team, so many of us have found it helpful to channel our intense emotions into acts of service, warmth, and outreach for others. It has been touching to witness how many members of the HEA community have reached out to offer what they can, including grief support, songs and prayers, texting friends who are affected, donating to support Israel and security efforts, and even welcoming an Israeli family for a bat mitzvah that their daughter couldn’t have in Israel at this time.
Leland Levin, another member of our Security Team shared, “For me it feels like one of the few things I can do to serve the community that embraces my family so warmly. Some Jews may feel afraid to come to services or send their children to our preschool during this time of conflict, and if I can do something to make them feel safe and welcome maybe it will help them feel the same warmth.”
Bob Witkow added, “It has been a long time since I was the parent of a preschooler, but seeing those kids with their smiles and energy, along with the sense of relief expressed by parents who saw me in my Shin Bet jacket, greeter’s badge, and radio made my experience more than worthwhile. I split my time between Denver and Israel where I am CEO of Emet Surgical, a medical device startup. My plans to fly to Israel on October 10 were derailed by the events of October 7. Being part of the HEA security team allows me to fulfill a sense of responsibility and duty.”
We want to thank our entire Security Team for stepping up to support the safety and wellbeing of our community. From Abraham’s experience we may learn the value of hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests, and bikkur holim, visiting the sick, yet from our own experience we come to understand how they are profoundly linked. For greeting is healing. If you would like to join our Security Team, please reach out to Amir Kaufman at amir.kaufman@gmail.com.