In a notable effort to enhance public safety, the Mishmar organization, working in partnership with Ha’Shomer Ha’Chadash, has marked its first year of operation with remarkable success. By establishing community security units in Haredi neighborhoods across Israel, the initiative has significantly curbed crime, with police data showing reductions of up to 90% in areas where it operates.
The collaboration, which combines grassroots vigilance with strategic oversight, underscores the effectiveness of community-driven approaches in addressing public safety concerns.
The emergence of community emergency units in Israel’s Haredi and mixed neighborhoods has garnered widespread recognition from the Israeli military and police, marking a significant breakthrough in the Haredi sector’s involvement in national security. These units, established with full coordination from security forces, are proving to be a vital asset in cities and neighborhoods nationwide.
Launched about a year ago by the Ha’Shomer Ha’Chadash organization, with the backing of Shoulder to Shoulder (Katef El-Katef), the Mishmar initiative has greatly enhanced emergency preparedness and security within Haredi communities across Israel. The program aims to establish community-driven emergency units, focusing on recruiting trained security coordinators and equipping volunteers with advanced tools, all while working in tandem with local police and authorities.
The units consist of diverse teams, including rescue and evacuation squads, fire-fighting units, and volunteer patrols, who operate day and night in constant collaboration with law enforcement. The addition of an advanced drone system supports their efforts, allowing for more efficient operations. In some cases, specialized teams, including command center staff and OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) volunteers, work to track and share vital information, sometimes aiding IDF operations, especially in sensitive areas near hostile villages such as Beitar Illit, Modiin Illit, Givat Ze’ev, and Ramat Shlomo.
The Mishmar units are also active in mixed neighborhoods, including Jerusalem’s Rehavia and Baka districts, Haifa’s Hadar neighborhood, and cities like Kiryat Malachi and Nazareth Illit. The initiative is steadily expanding, with plans for additional units across the country. The presence of these units has not only alleviated the burden on regular security forces, but has also introduced a significant cultural shift. The deeply rooted values of mutual responsibility within the Haredi community are now expressed in a newfound commitment to national security, an area in which the community has traditionally had limited involvement.
A central focus of the Mishmar initiative is synagogue protection. With synagogues being prime targets for potential attacks, the program has devised a comprehensive action plan for safeguarding these vital religious sites. Currently, around 70 synagogues across Israel benefit from regular patrols and heightened security measures, providing not just physical protection but fostering a sense of community resilience.
In addition to synagogue protection, the Mishmar units are strengthening emergency preparedness in vulnerable neighborhoods, particularly those near Israel’s borders. The organization emphasizes local engagement, ensuring that residents familiar with their surroundings play an active role in providing rapid responses to security threats.
One of the key figures in the Mishmar initiative is Roni Aylon, a former Sayeret Matkal soldier who has spent the past 30 years training emergency response teams in Haredi communities. Aylon, who prays at the Belz synagogue and follows the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, has been instrumental in leading intensive training efforts since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023.
“Our vision of creating strong, professional, and integrated defense systems in every neighborhood has come to fruition,” Aylon stated. “While there is still much work to be done, Mishmar will continue to strengthen security and community resilience across all sectors of Israeli society.”
The partnership with Ha’Shomer Ha’Chadash was born from the understanding that the organization has extensive experience in organizing community security efforts. Yoel Zilberman, CEO of Ha’Shomer Ha’Chadash, emphasized the success of the collaboration, noting that the first year of the Mishmar initiative had been particularly fruitful.
“The cooperation between organizations has proven essential to success,” Zilberman said, “and we will continue to expand and strengthen our community efforts to protect synagogues and neighborhoods throughout the country.”
