In the past few decades, anti-Semitism in the United States and Europe has been increasing at a troubling rate, as Jews are targeted in a myriad of ways.
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A unique group called Magen Am ("Shield of the Nation") seeks to counter this trend by providing Jewish communities in the United States with protection.
According to its website, the NGO is "dedicated to the creation of essential armed security teams within the Jewish community, comprised of licensed and trained community members whose purpose is to protect the lives of other Jews."
Magen Am USA is a community security force established a few years ago, "To train and empower the community to secure itself from within." It comprises licensed and trained community members who volunteer to protect the lives of other Jews and splits its services into two groups: security volunteers within the community, and training former IDF lone soldiers as professional security officers.
The four-month program offers training in various disciplines, including security theory, combat, stress psychology and physiology, body language, de-escalation techniques, security screening, and risk assessments.
I learned firsthand about Magen Amin when I interviewed Leibel Magel, a transfer to Los Angeles from Cincinnati, Ohio, and who served as a lone soldier in the IDF.
Magel graduated from the Magen Am Lone Soldier Veterans Program, the main objective of which is to be proactive – not reactive.
"When BDS [activists] come to campus, be offensive, not reactive" is Leibel's outlook. He said that Magn Am's training places an emphasis on how to prevent stressful environments and avoid fear-mongering, encompassing mental state, martial arts, and firearm training is as good as – or even better – than the similar training offered by the police.
Magen Am veteran training is a four-week, full-time training course, carried out by experts in intelligence, personal development, and fitness and psychology coaches.
According to group co-founder Rabbi Yossi Eilfort, the process of becoming a Magen Am salaried security professional, sponsored by the community and several institutions, gives a former lone the opportunity to become part of the community while giving the members needed sense of security.
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