Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Stephen Vogel is the director of a small private security company, Sayeret Security. The firm’s main business is providing security guards for Jewish functions, events and small parties, but recently, the company has been contacted to patrol synagogues and schools after hours.The demand for services has increased so much that Vogel plans to expand his business and branch into armed protection.“We need to be prepared for the worst. Attacks may progress to car-ramming, stabbings or potentially shootings,” he said.LoadingBut it comes at a cost – Vogel estimated some of Australia’s larger independent Jewish schools would spend more than $1 million a year on security.Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewryc said nobody should have to hire private security to feel safe.“We should all be able to live our lives in freedom and dignity without having to worry about being targeted simply because we have different religious views or different political views,” he said.“Sadly, that’s not the world that we live in.”LoadingAustralian Jewish Association President David Adler said he had spoken to members of the community who had family visiting from Israel who refused to eat at kosher restaurants in Sydney, deeming it “too risky”.“Australia’s reputation as a safe place for Jewish people has been completely changed and crashed since October 7, 2023,” he said.“This is extraordinary – people are changing their lives [here].”NSW Police have increased their presence in at-risk locations. Under Operation Shelter, which was launched to address community tensions after the October 7, there have been nearly 38,000 “taskings”, in which police patrol areas of concern such as synagogues, mosques or suburbs at risk. More than 5000 of those patrols took place in the past two weeks, with 397 undertaken in the past day.As of Wednesday, 191 people have been charged with 476 offences under Operation Shelter.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
