October 29, 2009 | 10:13 am

Federation mobilizes in wake of shooting

Posted by Tom Tugend

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and its agencies mobilized early Thursday morning to both alert and calm the Jewish community in the wake of the shooting of two congregants in the parking lot of Adat Yeshurun Valley Sephardic Synagogue.

“The Jewish Family Service has dispatched counselors to work with young students at Adat Yeshurun, the Board of Rabbis is in touch with its congregational members, and the Bureau of Education is coordinating with Jewish schools in the Los Angeles area,” said John Fishel, the Federation’s president.

The Federation has offered its full assistance to the police and will assist any congregation or school with security measures,” Fishel said.

Carol Koransky, the Federation’s executive vice president and director of its Valley Alliance, is coordinating the organization’s efforts in the field.

“Regrettably, these outrageous attacks seem to run in cycles,  and always seem to pick up near the time of Jewish holidays,” Fishel said. “There’s a fine line between being alert and prepared, but not giving in to excessive anxiety or panic.”

Fishel said that there were an estimated 50 worshippers during morning prayers at Adat Yeshurun when the attack occurred.

He noted that the Federation’s response in mobilizing expert resources across Los Angeles proves its vital importance as the Jewish community’s umbrella organization.

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