Jewish community reacts to kosher deli shooting

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A deadly shooting at a New Jersey kosher deli is sending shockwaves through the Jewish community here.

“I’m feeling afraid because there’s an environment,” said Rabbi Barry Dolinger. “It’s not that there happen to be some episodes of violence that are occurring, but there’s been a noted uptick in anti–Jewish hate crimes, from vandalism, hate speech, employment discrimination, and other forms of aggression with varying degrees of violence.”

The rabbi says he’s personally seen an uptick in anti–Semitic insults, when he wears his yarmulke in public.

It’s forced changes for his synagogue.

“Armed security every Sabbath and on our holidays,” Dolinger said. “We have a small budget and so we’ve had to fundraise significant amounts of money in order to fund these security measures.”

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island says it’s has already been on heightened alert following a string of anti–Semitic incidents locally and nationally.

The organization works with law enforcement to review security procedures and conduct active shooter drills.

“We want to strike that great balance between, these are religious institutions, so they want to be open, they want to give people the opportunity to come and pray, but at the same time, making sure that they’re safe and secure,” said Jewish Alliance CEO Adam Greenman.

He says the concerns extend beyond the Jewish community.

“I hear from folks all the time, ‘How can we help, how can we be supportive?'” Greenman said. “And I think from our community’s perspective, we continue to be vigilant, but not scared.”

Rabbi Dolinger says recently–announced federal funding for synagogue security was not granted to smaller congregations like his.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019