A Los Angeles-based Jewish security organization recently conducted a five-day "summer camp" for 20 Chabad Hasidic rabbis from 12 states, focusing on intensive firearms training, emergency medicine, and security protocols. The program, organized by Magen Am USA, aimed to equip religious leaders with the skills to respond to potential threats at synagogues and within their communities.
The training took place in August, coinciding with heightened security concerns and fears of attacks on Jewish institutions across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported 6,274 antisemitic incidents nationwide in 2025, with California ranking second in the country. While overall incidents in the Los Angeles region decreased from the previous year, assaults saw a 22% increase.
Rabbi Yossi Eilfort, founder of Magen Am, emphasized that the program is not about arming religious leaders indiscriminately but about providing comprehensive training. "Lots of people, lots of guns, little training. That can be bad for the community," Eilfort stated. Magen Am, a registered nonprofit and California-licensed security company, works to empower Jewish communities to establish their own security teams.
The rabbi-specific program was developed after Jewish religious leaders approached Eilfort seeking guidance on firearms and security for their places of worship, citing an increase in hate speech and protests targeting rabbis.
A donor funded the pilot program, which saw 37 rabbis apply for the 20 available spots. Participants were selected based on their community's security needs and existing protections. The attendees represented a range of experience levels, from those who had never handled a gun to experienced owners seeking advanced training.
The five-day curriculum included responsible firearm ownership, situational awareness, emergency medical procedures, and coordination with law enforcement. Eilfort noted that specific law enforcement agencies were involved, though he declined to name them. The training also covered suspicious-activity reports and how they are processed by fusion centers.
Trainers included members of the Jewish community, some with experience in the Israel Defense Forces. Eilfort, who is a licensed firearms instructor, described his approach as a "Jewish community member who realized we need more security in our community," rather than a security professional joining the Jewish community.
He stressed that firearms are just one layer of defense, underscoring the importance of safe storage, proficiency, licensing, and compliance, and rejecting any notion of promoting vigilantism. "I believe in doing things right," he said.
Participants described the training as highly condensed, packing weeks of instruction into five days. The schedule integrated morning prayers and meals with intensive security lessons, including how to manage severe bleeding. At the shooting range, rabbis learned safe firearm handling, drawing, aiming, and responding to malfunctions.
One participating rabbi, who requested anonymity, described the experience as significant, noting it was his first time firing a gun. By the end of the program, participants engaged in FBI-style practical exercises at an indoor shooting range, requiring a high degree of accuracy and proficiency.
The program has generated significant interest, with dozens more rabbis applying and approximately 40 placed on a waitlist. Magen Am plans to expand its offerings, aiming to run four to six programs next year and potentially 10 to 12 the following year. The organization is also broadening its security operations, including establishing a new team in San Diego.
Despite the training, some rabbis are still contemplating the role of firearms in their religious responsibilities. The anonymous Los Angeles rabbi stated he is still considering whether firearm ownership is right for him and plans to seek additional training before making a decision. "My biggest takeaway is now I know how to use a firearm. God forbid, if it’s a case of an emergency, as a rabbi, I’m prepared," he said.
He also reflected on the religious implications, noting that Jewish law prioritizes the protection of human life. "If it’s a matter of life and death, you have to do all that you can to save a life. So this could save a life," he stated, expressing a hope that the training would never be needed.