New Partnership Aims To Help Protect Jewish Communities In CT

GREENWICH, CT — In order to better protect members of the Jewish communities who attend area synagogues, day schools and other facilities in the area, the leadership of the Jewish Federations in Southern and Western Connecticut announced a new partnership with the Secure Community Network (SCN) to launch a new regional security program, including the hiring of a full-time Regional Security Advisor who will oversee the initiative, according to the UJA-JCC of Greenwich.

SCN is the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America.

Southern/Western CT joins the growing network of Federations and communities partnering with SCN to launch community-based security initiatives designed around an "all threats, all hazards” approach to preparedness, safety, security, and resiliency across the community, the UJA-JCC said in a news release.

The program will be connected to SCN’s national network, providing direct access to the National Jewish Security Operations Command Center, SCN’s Duty Desk and Intelligence Analysts, as well as best practice security resources and support related to policies, procedures, physical security, facility assessments, training, and incident response.

To lead the effort, public safety expert and law enforcement veteran Michael J. Shanbrom has been hired to serve as the first Regional Security Advisor (RSA) for the region.

Shanbrom is a 25-year- veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and has served in a variety of national security leadership roles within the organization, including Acting Assistant Special-Agent-in-Charge, National Security, in the New Haven Field Office. He currently serves as the police commissioner for the Town of Woodbridge and sits on the board of multiple Jewish organizations in the greater New Haven area.

Most recently, Shanbrom served as a senior administrator for research compliance for the University of Connecticut.

In this new role, Shanbrom will serve as a representative of SCN and will work full-time to develop and administer a comprehensive program that provides threat mitigation, security consultation, and training to Jewish institutions throughout the region.

"I am excited to hit the ground running and contribute to the safety and security of the greater Southern/Western Connecticut Jewish community," Shanbrom said in a news release. "I hope to use my extensive law enforcement and security background to protect the community from all forms of threats."

UJA-JCC Greenwich CEO Pam Ehrenkranz said she's "thrilled" to have Shanbrom join the Federation as the first Regional Security Advisor.

"With the dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents and acts of hate over the past several years, Jewish communal security has never been more important. Mike’s tremendous knowledge, expertise, and law enforcement relationships and partnerships will help keep our local community safe and secure," she said.

Diane Sloyer, Chief Executive Officer of United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien, said in a news release that the SCN has been "at the forefront of Jewish communal security for many years."

"With the rise in antisemitism and increasing threat to our Jewish community and institutions, United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien is pleased to be working with SCN and neighboring Federations in the hiring of our first Regional Security Advisor, Mike Shanbrom. UJF is grateful to our generous funder and to SCN for making this collaborative security effort possible," Sloyer said.

Gary Jones, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut, agreed, saying that having someone on the ground like Shanbrom is the best way to enhance the safety and security of the Jewish community and its institutions in Western Connecticut.

"We are thankful for the leadership and direction of our friends at SCN and for the collaboration of our sister Federations in Southern Connecticut for the putting this important initiative in place. We look forward to working with, and learning from, Mike," Jones said.

Shanbrom will be onsite in Connecticut for the launch of the community security program in mid-October.