Jewish groups distribute security manuals to US campuses

Jewish student organizations are distributing a manual for college students on how to identify and prevent security threats.

Hillel International this week sent copies of the student safety manual to campuses around the country and AEPi, the Jewish fraternity.

The 10-page manual packs in commonsense safety tips like traveling in pairs after dark and approaching a door with keys ready. It also offers hate-crime specific advice, including an instruction to leave offensive graffiti in place until authorities have had a chance to examine it and to be alert when tensions flare in the Middle East.

It also includes advice on reporting suspicious activity and packages to campus police.

The manual was produced by a task force on campus security convened by Hillel, the Jewish Federations of North America, and Secure Community Network, the security arm of national Jewish bodies.

The task force includes officials from SCN, Hillel and former and current officials of the Department of Homeland Security.

Paul Goldenberg, the SCN director, noted an increase in vandalism of Jewish campus buildings in recent months, and said that such buildings should provide a safe environment.

“Hillels should not become flashpoints for political events unfolding thousands of miles away,” he said.