Friends of Bitachon supports our dedicated Community Security Services (CSS) volunteers who give their time to help protect Jewish life in our community.Why CSS + Paid Security?JewishColumbus provides one branch of our security system through armed security. CSS provides another essential layer of protection. While paid security officers ______, CSS volunteers help monitor our entrances and check people as they enter our buildings, providing an important additional layer of security during Shabbat services and other communal activities. They serve as the eyes and ears of our community and protect the congregation if armed security needs to go after an assailant.How can you support?CSS volunteers help safeguard our community alongside paid security so that the rest of us can participate in regular Shabbat activities—attending services, spending time with family and friends, sipping coffee, and even sleeping in. They are on their feet for hours at a time. At present, a relatively small number of volunteers, primarily 50 years old and above, are carrying a disproportionate share of shifts, leading to fatigue, physical pain, and burnout. This responsibility should not fall on the same small group of people week after week. How can you ease the burden on our volunteers who so generously give up their time and then have to pay for their own safety vests?Share in the responsibility to safeguard yourself and your family and SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER! A small commitment on your part makes a huge impact on our standing volunteers. If you volunteer for 2 hours every 2 months, you'll give your landsmen a much-needed break. Right now, many are doing the equivalent of multiple community members' shifts. Synagogues currently in most need of volunteers are:Torat EmetTemple IsraelDonate to help our courageous volunteers acquire safety vests and other protective equipment.Donate toward massage gift cards that we can raffle off to our volunteers.Show appreciation, to both volunteers and paid officers. Write letters of appreciation, and get your kids involved.Learn situational awareness through a 1-hour course to help protect yourself and your community.Thank you for standing with our community and for taking a practical step to safeguard our Jewish communityFriends of Bitachon is an independent initiative of Shalom Alliance, not affiliated with CSS or any security provider.

Join our Book Club to explore literature connected to Israel—history, culture, memoir, or contemporary life. 📚Each season we select a book that sparks thoughtful conversation and deepens understanding of Israel and the Jewish experience. Whenever possible, our reading aligns with speakers or programs in the broader Jewish community, allowing participants to engage with authors, scholars, or community events that complement the book. Whether you are a seasoned reader or just curious to learn more, the Book Club offers a welcoming space for dialogue, reflection, and connection.Together, we explore texts that connect tradition with today’s questions, in a setting that values thoughtful conversation and genuine curiosity.As a member, you’ll receive reading selections, discussion guides, and updates on upcoming sessions, helping you stay engaged with our learning community.