“In times of rising concern for safety and security, we must act. Not out of fear, but with purpose, preparation and unity.”

That’s how Danny Cohn, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, opened a recent message to the community announcing the launch of two new public safety trainings — “Stop the Bleed” and “Situational Awareness” — open to all Jewish adults in the region. The sessions are the first of their kind offered by the Federation and come at a time of growing interest in grassroots security education nationwide.

“These trainings have always been part of Federation’s multifaceted approach to safeguarding our Jewish community,” Cohn said. “In today’s environment, where Jewish communities are facing increased threats, we believe it is essential to empower individuals with knowledge and confidence.”

Designed to be short, practical and hands-on, the sessions aim to make basic safety and threat-recognition skills accessible to everyone — no prior training required. “Stop the Bleed” focuses on life-saving medical intervention techniques, while “Situational Awareness” teaches how to identify and respond to suspicious behavior.

“Our goal is to educate our community without it feeling alarming, by providing practical tools in a welcoming environment,” Cohn said. “You don’t need a background in security or medical training to participate. Attendees will leave feeling more confident and connected.”

Scott Biondo, director of community security at the Federation, said early interest in the programs confirms a growing need.

“These safety topics are timely, and the response so far has confirmed that people want to feel more capable and informed,” Biondo said. “Our goal isn’t just full attendance; it’s engaged participation. Success looks like people walking away feeling more confident in recognizing a potential threat, more prepared to respond in a medical emergency and more connected to the idea that security is a shared responsibility.”

Elsewhere in the country, synagogues are exploring more formalized volunteer security programs, including CSS Level 1 certification — training that equips lay members to serve as a synagogue’s on-site security presence. While not yet available in St. Louis, Biondo says the model aligns closely with the Federation’s current work.

“CSS does excellent work training lay leaders to support synagogue security, and their model is aligned with our approach in St. Louis through the Federation’s Community Security Initiative,” he said. “Our team helps meet the evolving safety needs of our community by employing experts who conduct threat assessments for Jewish organizations, develop emergency response plans, coordinate with law enforcement and provide situational training (like Stop the Bleed and Situational Awareness).”

Cohn added that these new offerings represent not a one-time response, but part of a long-term strategy.

“The reality of the threats we are facing as a Jewish community means the Federation and our Community Security Team will remain diligent to ensure Jews are safe in schools, at synagogues, at work and in the general community,” he said. “Security will always be a Federation priority and empowering our community with training and tools is part how we make that commitment sustainable.”

The first sessions begin June 19 at the Federation campus and run through the end of the month. Registration is required.

Stop the Bleed: Gain life-saving skills to control bleeding in emergencies before first responders arrive

• Thursday, June 19; 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 23; 12-1 p.m.
• Max of 20 participants per training.

Situational Awareness Training: Learn how to identify threats, recognize suspicious behavior, and respond effectively in real-world situations

• Tuesday, June 24; 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 30; 12-1 p.m.
• Max of 50 participants per training.