On March 12, 2026, a man drove a truck into a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, opened fire, and ignited a blaze inside a building filled with young children.

This terrifying reality should force a fundamental rethink of how Jewish communities worldwide approach security.

This was not a single-mode attack. It was a coordinated assault: a vehicle used to ram the building, a high-powered firearm to inflict maximum casualties, and fire to create chaos. The attack represents a dramatic escalation in violence toward Jewish communities.

Approximately 140 children and staff were inside. They survived because of immediate action by trained personnel in the critical first moments. Thank G‑d, a tragedy of unprecedented proportions was averted.

But there is a lesson we must all internalize:

In the first minutes of an attack, those on site determine whether lives are saved or lost.

For years, Jewish communities have invested in visible security: cameras, reinforced entrances, and in many cases, a guard stationed at the door. These measures are necessary—but they can also create a false sense of security.

A single guard at the entrance is not enough. True security is layered: it exists both outside and inside the building, and it depends on people who are trained to act decisively under pressure.

A determined attacker does not wait to be screened. He bypasses, overwhelms, or breaches the outer layer. The critical question becomes: who inside is prepared to respond if the outer layer fails?

Attackers generally hold the advantage—they choose the time, speed, and intensity of the assault. But quality training, effective leadership, and decisiveness can shift the balance. We have seen this in Israel and, as West Bloomfield demonstrated, even in the US.

Trained personnel and rapid action made the difference. Some describe it as miraculous – I agree. But Jewish communities cannot rely on miracles. We must always be prepared.

Every synagogue, school, and community center should have a team of volunteers trained in security and emergency response. Even a modest goal – 3% to 5% of regular congregants or staff – can create a meaningful internal response capability. These volunteers are not substitutes for law enforcement; they are the first responders in the critical minutes before professional help arrives.

Community leaders and school administrators must act now to implement volunteer security programs. The lesson of West Bloomfield is clear: when communities take responsibility for preparedness, lives are saved.

Let us apply what we have learned and train volunteers before the next attack. Because the next attack will not wait.

G-d bless you all! Happy Pesach!

COL Yonatan Zagdanski (USA, Ret.) is the co-founder of Citizen Defenders, an initiative that trains volunteers in Israel and abroad to become first responders in case of terror attacks. For info, contact, or to get involved, visit https://citizen-defenders.org/main

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)