Oh, wait a minute...rabbis. Never mind.
Posted on 09/07/2009 1:14:26 PM PDT by Still Thinking
With Houses Of Worship Constantly Under Threat, Former NYC Cop Offers Class Designed To Keep People Inside Safe
NEW YORK (CBS) -- Some might call it the "God squad," others a proactive approach to safety.
A rabbi in Queens is beginning a training program aimed at keeping places of worship worry free.
Inside a Kew Gardens place of prayer is a team of experts whose goal is to make synagogues safer by teaching martial arts, how to use a gun and protecting worshipers if someone came in with guns blaring.
It's the brainchild of Rabbi Gary Moscowitz, a former New York City cop who said synagogues are natural targets.
"It comes from the FBI. Just call the FBI. They issue terror alerts to synagogues on a regular basis here," Moscowitz said.
Moscowitz pointed to this spring's attempted bombing of two Bronx synagogues as an example for the need.
"This is an insurance policy. I hope it never has to go into effect," Moscowitz said.
Now he's put together a team that's selling safety because police can only be in so many places.
"What police officer, even if they were parked in front of the synagogue, they hear a firefight. We'll be dead," Moscowitz said.
"Our idea is you can't be spiritual if you're dead. You have to be able to fight back to live another day," martial arts expert Stuart Rosenberg said.
To help with protection, Moscowitz is pushing state lawmakers to allow at least five people at houses of worship to carry a gun, but only after training.
When asked of all this precaution is truly necessary, Moscowitz said, "I believe so."
So does another rabbi whose synagogue has signed up.
"God forbid and God save us that someone would try to attack us. Why not let us know the skill in advance and be prepared just in case," said Rabbi Mordechai Hecht.
The team is charging $1,000 a person for a 100-hour class. CBS 2 HD has been told a handful of synagogues in Florida, California and Vancouver are interested.
Any you photoshop wizards cook up a pic of a guy holding a menorah style gun with an array of nine barrels and one grip?
Maybe they can teach their congregations how to vote or why it is not smart to vote for a guy named Hussein.
No one should have to ask for government permission to defend famuly, self and property!
No doubt. Democrats spit on Jews, traditional Jewish values, and Israel 24/7, yet so many Jews continue to vote Democrat. Never have got that.
saw these guys on tv this morning
I was impressed
don’t understand NYC gun laws, thought they were illegal there?
“Go ahead — make my Shabbat!”
In theory, no. As a matter of fact, yes, unless you’re well connected. Since this guy is an ex cop, maybe he knows who to talk to to grease the skids.
This is begging to be made into a Mel Brooks movie.
With a Muslim in the White House, I don’t blame them a bit!
I've wondered the same thing but have come to realize that Jews are more likely to be communist/socialist leaning than practicing or even non-practicing Christians. Carl Marx was a Jew after all.
Personally, I think every synagogue near Muslin population centers should seriously consider having armed guards during service. At some point the Obama administration will marginalize Israel and the Jewish community in this country to the point where Jihadist believe they are legitimate targets.
I believe they had better consider this nationwide. Under this administration and climate it would be wise to prepare for another Warsaw.Of course, kapo Rahm Emanuel will be keeping an eye on them for Hussein.
You’re definitely right about that.
Oh, wait a minute...rabbis. Never mind.
“The Maccabee Squad”
“Dirty Mordecai”
Silly rabbi! Kicks are for trids!
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