HAMAOR MAGAZINE PESACH 5775

ADVERTORIAL
The Role of CST
CST is a Jewish charity that helps ensure that our
kehilla is secure and protected against terrorism and
antisemitism.
The terrible events in Paris and Copenhagen
brought home the importance of securing our Shuls,
schools and communal buildings against attack. In
January, we grieved for the victims of terrorism in
Paris, murdered in a kosher shop while preparing for
Shabbos. In February, a Jewish security volunteer,
Dan Uzan z”l, was brutally murdered while protecting
a bat mitzvah party at the main Shul in Copenhagen.
He died ensuring that many others could live.
CST’s volunteers make their commitment to
protecting our kehilla every time they go on patrol,
protect a communal building or secure a Jewish
event. CST has trained thousands of volunteers to
ensure that they have the best possible skills and
equipment to fulfil their responsibilities.
We are grateful that in the first few weeks of 2015,
over 150 new people volunteered to join CST. Every
new volunteer we train makes a difference and helps
us to enhance the services that we offer.
CST also trains many other people who may not
wish to become security volunteers, but who may
work in Jewish buildings or have a need for a basic
security awareness. All of this training is provided
free of charge.
CST also raises millions of pounds to invest in
security equipment at communal buildings. This
includes CCTV systems, alarms, gates with access
control systems, anti-shatter film for windows and
other physical infrastructure. Since 2008, CST
has spent over £5m on improving the security
infrastructure at Jewish buildings. This amount is
likely to rise considerably after the attacks in Paris
and Copenhagen.
Last summer also brought great pressures for
many British Jews as antisemitism in this country
increased in response to war in the Middle East. It
is at such times that CST’s work and voice is at the
forefront of our community, giving Shuls, schools
and communal buildings the correct help, guidance
and support.
A minority of our fellow citizens think they have the
right to threaten us, to preach hatred, shout at us on
our way to Shul, and vilify us in social media. They
are mistaken and CST will continue working with
Police and Government to ensure arrests and to see
that justice is done.
Working very closely with the Police, CST arranges
joint patrols, training exercises, and investigates
antisemitic hate crimes. This close partnership is
vital for the ongoing protection of our kehilla.
CST will continue to do its work, improving security
and protecting us against terrorism and antisemitism,
but we cannot do it alone. We need everybody’s
continuing support, participation and partnership in
the security effort.
Please, support the work of CST and remember;
if you witness antisemitism, or feel uneasy about
something you have seen, please do contact CST.
In an emergency contact the Police on 999,
then contact CST, London: 0800 032 3263
Manchester: 0800 980 0668
If you have previously witnessed an antisemitic activity,
please call the Police non-emergency line 101, then CST,
London: 020 8457 9999 Manchester: 0161 792 6666
www.cst.org.uk
Community Security Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (1042391) and Scotland (SC043612)
12 HAMAOR