How the bloody attack outside the Jewish Museum in Washington influenced the Jewish community – how will it seek to enhance its security
When the Adam Zimmerman He accompanied his son’s excursion to the fourth elementary school at the Museum of Natural History in Washington on Wednesday, nor did he mind the mind that his life could be in danger. He never thought he should take some measures for his safety.
Hours later, outside another museum, just a few kilometers away, two Israeli embassy employees were shot and killed, incident that was widely regarded as an act of anti -Semitism.
‘We have to look over our shoulders’
“It was a frightening reminder to me – as a Jewish parent in this city – that we all have to look over our shoulders, all the time”said the Zimmerman, 43 years old, Media Advisor from Rockville, Maryland.
The deadly armed attack on the young couple after an event in a Jewish museum has been deeply shocked the Jews of the US capital and has led to review of security protocols in synagogues and institutions.
“The (themselves) anti -Semitism seeds in the 1930s and 1940s are the ones who still kill people on the streets of Washington today, 2025”said the Zimmermanwhose grandparents were survivors of the Holocaust.
Was the last act of violence that targeted the Jews in America and was associated with rage for escalating military attack of Israel in Gaza, an answer to October 2023 attacks by Hamas fighters who killed 1,200 people in southern Israel.
The shootings in Washington fell outside the capital’s Jewish Museum, where the American-Jewish committee held the annual reception for new diplomats.
The only suspect, who was charged with the two murders on Thursday, told police on the spot: “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza”according to the court records.
This is the terrorist Elias Rodriguez, Who Shot and Killed A Jewish Couple Outside the Jewish Museum in DC.
‘Free Palestine’ Can Now Officily Be Considered a Terrorist Chant.
– Dr. Maalouf (@realmaalouf) May 22, 2025
‘We will review the security protocols’
THE Alan Ronkin, Regional Director of the AJC Office in Washington, said that security measures were strictly at the event, even though the suspect, Rodriguez From Chicago, he managed to enter the museum in the chaos that followed after the shooting out. He was arrested in.
“We will review our security protocols and make sure we follow the recommendations of experts”said the Ronkinwho added that the community is “Shocked but durable.”
“We will continue to live a proud Jewish life”
THE Ron Halkberry, CEO of Washington’s Jewish Community Relations Council said local police have increased patrols around Jewish institutions in Washington after the murders.
“Many of us today look behind our shoulder”said the Haulber. “But we must continue to live a proud and open (social) Jewish life. I’m definitely not going to let this incident prevent me from any public or private event. “
Most Jewish institutions in the city already have strong security, including armed guards in most synagogues, according to Haulber. “The big discussion is about how much the perimeter of the area will be expanded – a square, two squares”he said.
Federal funding ‘has begun to flow again’
“Every Jewish organization increases its safety, whether it is to place more guards out for more hours of the day, or, if they did not, to add them.”said the Jill Presses, Managing Director of the Jewish Federation of Washington.
“At the moment the measures are in the short term. We will see if there will be a permanent change in the level of security. I guess yes’, added.
The Jewish Federation is one of the many Jewish institutions that said on Friday that raise money to enhance security, according to Reuters. Local and federal grants (a non -profit security grants managed by the US Emergency Management Management) are “Huge” Help to compensate costs in security, according to Than.
After some delays and confusion due to the freezing of federal funding by the Trump government in recent months, funding of the program through grants ‘Has begun to flow again’; he said.
About 50 Jewish organizations issued an announcement on Thursday Calling US Congress increase funding under the Safety Grants Program in non -profit organizations in 1 billion dollarsamount of more than twice the current amount.
‘Desire to be together’
THE SarahRabbi on Adas Israel in Washington, said Friday that there were cars of the Washington Metropolitan Police outside his synagogue, at the end of the square and in the parking lot.
THE Krinsky He said the armed attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018, which killed 11 faithful in Pittsburgh, initially prompted Adas Israel to significantly enhance security.
Following Wednesday’s attack, the office of the Mayor of Washington, the Police Department, the FBI and private companies have set up even higher levels of security.
‘The above 3.500 members of the Conservative Church will see small improvements »said the Krinskydetails of which he could not discuss.
In the wake of the bloody incident and with the shock of the shots still intense, the Krinsky said that awaits a large crowd On Saturday’s functions, this weekend.
‘There’s a real desire to be together And to find ourselves in a place where we can mourn, express everything we feel and feel safe and tied up, ” he said.
Source :Skai
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