The Safe Indy Security Initiative was established by JFGI and other Indianapolis-area Jewish organizations in 2020 as a proactive approach to security. The impact of this partnership is now being experienced across the state, as Community Security Director Grant Mendenhall is working with Jewish organizations throughout Indiana to determine and respond to their security needs. 

South Bend, Ind.
“It’s really comforting for us to be connected to Grant and to this wider security network of the Jewish community in Indiana,” said Bob Feferman, the Community Relations Director at the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley. “Since we’re a part of this Indiana network, we know that if there’s a threat specific to the Jewish community of Indiana, we’ll get an immediate alert from Grant by phone or text, and then we have someone to consult with about that threat.” 

Bloomington, Ind.
“It’s been very helpful to have Grant there to consult with,” said A. John Rose, a member of the security committee at the Beth Shalom synagogue in Bloomington. “We take safety really seriously. It’s good to have someone who is exposed to the whole state and brings a lot of experience to the table for us. We intend to continue consulting with him as we move forward.” 
“Grant helped IU Hillel apply for a Homeland Security grant, and we’re hopeful that we should receive at least some of the funding that we requested in September,” said Lance daSilva, the Associate Director of the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center at Indiana University. “I’m looking forward to continuing to build that partnership with him.”

Terre Haute, Ind.
“Grant helped us apply for a Homeland Security grant,” said Leah Simpson, the Executive Director at the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute. “He was able to come to the museum and do a safety overview. We’ve had a great experience with SCN and we look forward to continuing to connect with Grant, who brings a wealth of knowledge.”