I was just speaking to a friend about safety at our shuls, and I thought this is a significantly important issue for all of us, so I thought I would share our thoughts with you. If there was (G-d Forbid!) a fire or an attack at your synagogue, what would you do? How would people get out? Are there any plans? Maybe each of us should take it upon ourselves to ask our rabbis about what kind of plans are in place in the synagogues that we attend, and if there are no plans, how we should go about making plans. Should we need to protect ourselves or others, we should know what to do. There are many questions that should be asked by all of us regarding our safety in shul. We made up this checklist of things to think about at your own synagogue when planning for the worst:

Do you know where the fire extinguisher is?

Do you know where the nearest door is?

Do you know how to set off alarms?

If there were an earthquake, or accident, would you know how to turn off the gas or the water?

Have you delegated the task of helping the disabled and elderly?

Have you delegated the task of finding and assisting children?

Have you delegated the task of carrying the Torah and other important items out?

If there were, G-d Forbid, an assailant, would you be able to handle it?

Can tables be placed sideways for protection?

Could/can the Mechitzah, chairs, or tables be moved out of the way to allow escape?

Can someone shoot the fire extinguisher in the face of an attacker? Can members throw Tallit, shoes, or books in a potential attacker's face?

Is there someone who usually carries a phone, a radio, or a pistol in your shul who can be counted upon to be present at most activities? (I know that since 9/11 a lot of shuls have one person in minyan who has a P'sk to carry a gun - even on Shabbat and Yom Kippur.)

Has your synagogue designated time to practice procedures to be ready in the event of an emergency?

I don't mean to upset people, but I think that we must talk about these things within our communities. I know I would feel a lot better if I knew that the people around me had an idea of how to react in an emergency, and I would also feel better if I knew what to do and how to assist. I think in this time of increasing danger to Jews - 9/11, the war in Afghanistan, the impending actions against Iraq, etc. - we should and must be aware, ready, and well organized if anything were to happen. I also think this is a perfect way for local JDL members to start getting involved in the direct education and protection of our communities.