Celebrating the Jewish holidays but with increased security

By Ethel C. Fenig

As Jews around the world prepare to usher in tonight the New Year of 5771 on the Hebrew calendar with prayers and family gatherings at religious centers and homes, they are also taking extra security precautions.

And with good reason. Despite pointless security concerns by American Muslims on the ninth anniversary of 9/11, the FBI reports there are ten times more hate crimes against Jews --often by Muslims--followed by attacks against homosexuals and then Christians than on Muslims.

Although in Israel, fear of increased terror attacks as threatened by Muslim terrorist groups won't stop the joyous celebrations, security will be tightened as Jews remember other terror acts on the many holidays. The Israel Project summarizes a few of the more horrendous ones, including starting a war in 1973 on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. So much for Arab/Muslim sensitivities.

Terror and Jewish Holidays:
* On Yom Kippur in 1973, Israel was attacked[4] by surrounding Arab armies as many Israelis were in synagogues fasting and praying;

*On March 4, 1996, during Purim, a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up outside the busy Dizengoff Center shopping mall in Tel Aviv. Thirteen people were killed and many were injured. Many of the victims were children dressed up to celebrate the spring festivities. [5]
*On Sept. 26, 2003, a 27-year-old man and a 7-month old infant were shot dead by a Palestinian terrorist who knocked on the door of a home in Negohot, south of Hebron, during a celebratory Rosh Hashanah dinner;.

*On March 27, 2002 22 people were killed and 140 injured - 20 seriously - in a suicide bombing at the Park Hotel in the coastal city of Netanya, in the midst of the Passover holiday seder with 250 guests;[6]
*On Sept. 23, 2002, a man was killed and his three sons were injured by Palestinian gunmen while they were celebrating the Sukkoth festival near Hebron;[7]

*On April 17, 2006, during Passover, nine people were killed and at least 40 wounded in a suicide bombing near the old central bus station in Tel Aviv. The blast ripped through Falafel Rosh Ha'ir, the same restaurant that was hit by an attack on January 19.