Community Security Service
{{Upe|date=May 2024}}{{Short description|American nonprofit organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Community Security Service (CSS)
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| formation = 2007
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| type = Nonprofit
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| website = {{URL|thecss.org}}
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Community Security Service (CSS) is an American nonprofit organization that provides security to the Jewish community in the United States, primarily through trained community volunteers. The group was founded in 2007.{{cite news |last=Dolsten |first=Josefin |date=November 6, 2017 |title=This organization has trained 4,000 Jewish volunteers to keep synagogues safe |url=https://www.jta.org/2017/11/06/united-states/this-organization-has-trained-4000-jewish-volunteers-to-keep-synagogues-safe |publisher=JTA |location= |access-date=}}{{cite news |last= |first= |date=June 15, 2020 |title=Evan Bernstein to lead Community Security Service as organization ramps up preparedness efforts |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2020/06/evan-bernstein-to-lead-community-security-service-as-organization-ramps-up-community-preparedness-efforts/ |work=Jewish Insider |location= |access-date=}}{{cite news |last= |first= |date=May 30, 2021 |title=American Jewish Leadership Urged to Prioritize Security Amid Anti-Semitic Attacks |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/american-jewish-leadership-urged-to-prioritize-security-amid-anti-semitic-attacks/2606925/ |publisher=NBC Los Angeles |location= |access-date=}}{{cite news |last=Sales |first=Ben |date=June 19, 2020 |title=The new head of a synagogue security agency wants to start training Jews in college |url=https://www.jta.org/2020/06/19/united-states/the-new-head-of-a-synagogue-security-agency-wants-to-start-training-jews-in-college |publisher=JTA |location= |access-date=}} As of December 2022, CSS fields over 2,000 active volunteers in more than 150 synagogues across the U.S.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=December 22, 2022 |title=CSS Becomes a Trusted National Partner in Jewish Communal Security |url=https://jewishlink.news/features/55774-css-becomes-a-trusted-national-partner-in-jewish-communal-security |work=Jewish Link |location= |access-date=}}
In 2021, CSS helped the NYPD identify the suspect responsible for a series of vandalism incidents targeting synagogues in the Bronx.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=May 3, 2021 |title=NYC man arrested on hate crime charges for vandalizing synagogues as antisemitic incidents remain historically high |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jordan-burnette-arrest-hate-crime-vandalism-bronx-synagogues-antisemitism/ |publisher=CBS News |location= |access-date=}}
In November 2022, CSS worked with law enforcement and community partners including Community Security Trust, the Community Security Initiative, and the Anti-Defamation League in the arrest at New York City's Penn Station of two men, in possession of weapons, who were plotting to attack the Jewish community.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=November 20, 2022 |title=New York police arrest 2 men, seize weapons over 'threat to Jewish community' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-york-police-arrest-2-men-seize-weapons-over-threat-to-jewish-community/ |work=The Times of Israel |location= |access-date=}}
Partnerships
In September 2020, CSS and the Community Security Initiative (CSI) announced an "operational partnership" to "synchronize field operations, coordinate deployments of volunteers, share intelligence, and conduct both joint training and joint tabletop exercises." CSI is a joint initiative of UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.{{cite web |url=https://www.ujafedny.org/news/facing-an-increased-threat-environment-jewish-security-groups-collaborate-to-secure-the-jewish-community-of-greater-nyc |title=Facing an Increased Threat Environment, Jewish Security Groups Collaborate to Secure the Jewish Community of Greater NYC |last= |first= |date=September 15, 2020 |website= |publisher=UJA-Federation of New York |access-date= |quote=}}
In April 2021, CSS co-founded the Interfaith Security Council, a coalition of New York City faith-based organizations that promotes communal security and combats violent extremism.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=April 26, 2021 |title=In New York, interfaith coalition makes common cause against rising tide of hate |url=https://religionnews.com/2021/04/26/interfaith-security-coalition-forms-to-push-back-rising-tide-of-hate-against-new-york-city-congregations/ |publisher=Religion News Service |location= |access-date=}}
In September 2021, the Anti-Defamation League and CSS announced a partnership to improve the safety of the American Jewish community.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=October 1, 2021 |title=Jewish watchdogs form partnership to combat anti-Semitism in-person, online |url=https://www.jns.org/jewish-watchdogs-form-partnership-to-combat-anti-semitism-in-person-online/ |publisher=JNS |location= |access-date=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.adl.org/news/press-releases/the-css-and-adl-form-partnership-to-improve-safety-on-the-ground-for-jewish |title=The CSS and ADL Form Partnership to Improve Safety on the Ground for Jewish Institutions |last= |first= |date=September 30, 2021 |website= |publisher=Anti-Defamation League |access-date= |quote=}}
In March 2022, CSS announced it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Secure Community Network (SCN), which "recognizes CSS as the volunteer security partner of SCN and calls on both organizations to promote each other’s efforts."{{cite web |url=https://thecss.org/about/partnership-with-scn/ |title=Community Security Service announces a 'Memorandum of Understanding' with the Secure Community Network |last= |first= |date=March 2022 |website= |publisher=CSS |access-date= |quote=}}
References
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