PORTLAND, Maine — Jewish institutions in Maine's largest city have become more vigilant and concerned about their safety following the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas militants.
"Our community is understandably upset, in mourning, and to a certain extent fearful about what the events in Israel means for Jews around the world," Kate Shalvoy, the executive director of Portland's Temple Beth El, said.
Shalvoy told NEWS CENTER Maine the temple has increased security since the attack on Israel.
"We couldn’t have imagined that the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust would happen," Shalvoy said.
Temple Beth El isn't the only Jewish institution on high alert for antisemitic behavior. This past weekend, Etz Chaim Synagogue in Portland locked its doors during service as a congregant manned the door to let people in. It was the first time the synagogue had done this in its more than 100-year history.
"We want to make sure we don’t have anyone suddenly come in here and decide they’re going to take out their anger on us," synagogue president Mark Aranson said. "It's too bad we have to do this, but you’ve got to go with what the environment is right now."
The safety measures come as hate speech is on the rise in Portland. In the two weeks since the attack on Israel, the Portland Police Department has had 11 reports of hate speech that are mostly antisemitic. In all of September leading up to the attack, there were eight incidents.
"We take it very seriously, and we do the best we can documenting any incidents, and investigating them if there’s actually a crime," Portland Police Chief Mark Dubois said.
Chief Dubois said the department notifies the Maine Attorney General's Office of the incidents which decides if a follow-up is needed.