Jewish community leaders expressed concerns during the June 4 meeting with the mayor at City Hall. (photo courtesy of Mayor Karen Bass’ office)

Mayor Karen Bass convened Jewish leaders and law enforcement officials at City Hall on June 4 to discuss safety and security in Los Angeles after recent attacks targeting Jewish individuals in Washington, D.C. and Boulder, Colorado.

“The horrific antisemitic attacks that happened in Washington, D.C. and Boulder, Colorado over the last two weeks have sent shockwaves across the country,” Bass said. “We are considering numerous proposals offered in the meeting and will be taking action. Let me be clear: these heinous acts of violence are reprehensible, and any and all forms of antisemitism will not be tolerated in the city of Los Angeles.”

“I had the honor of joining Mayor Bass and leaders from Los Angeles’ Jewish community for a deeply important forum in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado. This was not only an act of violence – it was an act of hate – and it has rightly left many in our community shaken and searching for reassurance,” Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have significantly increased our presence around synagogues, Jewish schools and neighborhoods – as well as near other culturally significant institutions. Our Social Media Unit is actively monitoring digital platforms for any threats, which are shared in real time with our investigative teams. Our Major Crimes Division continues its work in partnership with the FBI as part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, ensuring that all credible threats are swiftly addressed and that we remain closely aligned with federal intelligence efforts. We will remain vigilant, we will stay engaged with our community partners and we will continue to be guided by our core mission to protect and to serve.”

“There’s a deep and growing sense of anxiety in Jewish communities across Los Angeles, and the recent attacks have only heightened it. People feel exposed, isolated and disheartened by the silence from too many corners in the face of such hate. I feel it too. In moments like this, presence matters,” said Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District. “My office works closely with LAPD to increase patrols, fund overtime and ensure the safety of our community is treated with the urgency it deserves, not just in times of crisis, but every day.”

The LAPD increased patrols near Jewish synagogues, schools, organizations and neighborhoods following the attacks, and near the Israeli Consulate, Holocaust Museum L.A. and the Museum of Tolerance. In addition to Bass, Yaroslavsky, McDonnell and high-ranking LAPD officials, the meeting included L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto, L.A. City Council President Pro Tem Bob Blumenfield, 3rd District; and Councilmembers Nithya Raman, 4th District; Heather Hutt, 10th District; Traci Park, 11th District; and Tim McOsker, 15th District. Representing the Jewish community were Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles; Julie Platt, board chair of Jewish Federations of North America; Orna Wolens, board chair of JFEDLA; Rick Hirschhaut, L.A. regional director of the American Jewish Committee; Jim Berk, CEO of the Wiesenthal Center; and Ariella Loewenstein, deputy regional director of ADL-LA. Also present were Rabbi Sharon Brous, senior and founding rabbi of IKAR; Rabbi Zushe Cunin, executive director of Chabad of the Pacific Palisades; Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, founder and senior rabbi at Chabad of the Pacific Palisades; Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz, senior rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom; Dr. Irving Lebovics, board chair of Agudath Israel; Rabbi Ken Chasen, senior rabbi at Leo Baeck Temple; and Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, senior rabbi at Stephen S. Wise Temple.