JUF brings local sheriffs, police to Israel

A rainbow frames the group’s briefing about Jerusalem and the Old City atop the Mount of Olives.

Partnering with law enforcement is a foundational principle of JUF’s expanded community security program. We rely on these trusting relationships; enhanced security—and the assurance of security to our community—is best provided for Jewish facilities and events by working closely with police. 

This longstanding approach is deepened by JUF’s security department itself having a combined 90 years of professional experience, across multiple police command, training, and special-operations positions. 

In February, for the first time since before COVID, and the fifth time in the past 15 years, JUF—in cooperation with the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest—brought a dozen local law enforcement leaders to Israel. Their six-day seminar allowed our visitors to learn from their Israeli peers, and to share their own expertise. 

In addition to that personal professional development, the intensive experience further deepens the relationship between the police and JUF. It prompted detailed discussions about Jewish security back home and deep appreciation of our community’s special bond with Israel. Once home, participants shared their experiences in turn, educating professional colleagues, family, friends, civic groups, and, often, their churches. 

The itinerary was developed in coordination with Israel’s National Police. Beyond traditional touring (Dead Sea, Masada, Old City religious sites, Tel Aviv boardwalk, etc.), we experienced: 

1. Briefings by Israeli minorities—a Muslim journalist, a Christian police officer, and an Israeli Ambassador born in Ethiopia. 

2. Visits to the new (separate) training academies of the Israeli Police and Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency). At the police academy, we participated in a virtual reality shooting simulation, learned about Israeli bomb disposal challenges and techniques, and discussed lessons gleaned from October 7. At the Shin Bet academy, we viewed live cadet simulations of hijacking and suicide-bomber scenarios. 

3. Tours of three police stations—Tel Aviv/Jaffa, Jerusalem’s Old City, and the new Sderot Police Headquarters.  At the memorial site of what had been the Sderot HQ, pre-October 7, we were honored to hear from the heroic policeman Shlomi Levi Wertheim, shot 14 times that day defending the police building and fellow officers. 

4. Meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Security Bureau, responsible for protecting Israeli government officials abroad. 

5. We visited “Kobi’s” hilltop overlooking Gaza, and the site of two October 7 massacres—the Nova Music Festival and Kibbutz Nir Oz—where we heard compelling survivor testimonies and paid special tribute to the police and community security officers who died in the line of duty that horrific day. 

The seminar’s participants included: seven police chiefs, three deputy chiefs, two sheriffs, AIPAC’s Midwest Security Director, and the Head of Security for the Israeli Consulate. JUF was also represented by our JUF’s Vice President of Security Dan Godsel, and Director of Security Operations Brian Baker. 

We are grateful to Mickey Rosenfeld, Superintendent of the Israel National Police, who coordinated the visit; and accompanied us for part of the week, helping ensure unique access to our meaningful, experiential learning opportunities. 

Note: The group was also to have included 12 senior Chicago Police Department leaders, whose participation, as in all previous JUF law enforcement missions to Israel, was thoroughly vetted and approved through the chain of command, including City Hall. However, just five days before the trip—with no communication to JUF, and no explanation to the participating CPD officers themselves—City Hall vetoed their participation.  

Thankfully, based on the long-term relationships previously mentioned, with only five days’ notice JUF Security Staff recruited seven additional participants—a testament to the strength of the relationship those law enforcement agencies, and their elected officials, have with JUF. 

Jay Tcath is JUF’s Executive Vice President. This was his sixth local law enforcement leaders’ mission to Israel.