Since the October 7 massacre in Israel, Magen Am USA, a nonprofit organization that trains and empowers members of the Jewish community in Los Angeles, has been busy protecting neighborhoods, communicating with LAPD and touching base with schools and synagogues to keep them safe.
“Our hearts are heavy during this challenging time, and we are keeping Israel in our prayers and close to our hearts,” said Rabbi Yossi Eilfort, founder of Magen Am. “We’re in constant communication with local law enforcement, and at this time, there is no known threat to the community. However, our guards and community leaders have been fully debriefed and are maintaining a heightened sense of awareness. We’ve taken extra measures to provide guidance and support during this horrific time for us all.”
The LAPD increased their patrol and informed Magen Am there were no direct threats, and the group met with local command staff in a few divisions in LA to help coordinate their deployment.
“Additionally, we’re proud to share that Magen Am has been added to the Sheriff’s West Hollywood station emergency plan for the Jewish community,” said Eilfort, whose team patrols the La Brea Jewish community next to West Hollywood.
Magen Am also provided armed security at the various pro-Israel rallies and prayer gatherings throughout the city, and increased security at Jewish institutions on the Global Day of Jihad on October 13. The organization met with rabbis to discuss the community’s approach to security and halacha and it’s welcoming in more volunteers.
“We were able to secure various pro-Israel influencers following death threats, which Magen Am is reporting to its appropriate law enforcement partners,” said Eilfort. “We [also] provided practical guidance on increasing security and being more situationally aware both in person and through social media posts.”
The organization, which offers firearms training to members of the Jewish community, is giving tips to stay safe at a time when antisemitism is on the rise and pro-Palestinian protests are taking place around the world, including here in Los Angeles.
Recently, at a USC rally for Palestine, the student protestors called for the Intifada, and during the pro-Israel rally on Pico Boulevard on October 15, a hotel guest on Pico gave the crowd the middle finger. Beverly Hills Radiologist Dr. Andrew Thierry posted antisemitic tweets and was quickly fired from his job at ExpertMRI, and according to the ADL, on October 10, a person shouted, “I am Hamas” and made death threats to Jews who were standing near a kosher restaurant.
According to Eilfort, it’s crucial at this time of increased antisemitism to supervise children on the way to shul programs and school, to not congregate outside of schools and synagogues and to have guards and/or parents supervising carpool drop-offs and pickups.
It’s important to trust your gut, be aware when walking and not to use your phone or congregate in public. If someone starts up with you, or films you, don’t cower, but you also shouldn’t engage in a fight. If they are filming, film them back. And if someone drives by and shouts at you, write down a description of the car and the driver as well as the license plate number.
“We’d like for the community to be proud Jews,” said Eilfort. “Now is the time for us to be in support of one another. Keep your head held high and on a swivel. Be prepared and not paranoid. And trust your gut.”
