Sunday, February 9, 2025
Chabad of the Beaches serves the Jewish communities of Long Beach, Lido Beach and Atlantic Beach. In many ways, they’re a unique community of their own.
Back in 2021, the Chabad was broken into, leaving the ark vandalized and two Torahs missing. To help ensure the Chabad is safe and protected in the future, just before the new year, bulletproof doors were installed as a precaution, thanks to a grant.
“We’re really the biggest growing synagogue in town, and there’s more and more people coming,” Rabbi Eli Goodman said. “People often comment that a guard is not at this program, a guard is not at that program. So, now, we’re now going to have bullet-resistant doors and film on the windows.”
Goodman said that the doors were not put in because of any threats, but to provide comfort for members of their community. Goodman said that the Jewish community could sometimes be a target, so it’s important to take precautions.
“I think it’s very important to be proactive,” Goodman said. “I don’t think it’s a place that people need to be afraid of, but I think as leadership, we need to be proactive to make sure that something doesn’t happen. We have everything that we need to protect ourselves. I think it just gives people a sense of comfort.”
