In an Era of Rising Hate, One Community Stands Guard
- Nicolas Putnam
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
By Nicolas Putnam
SAN PEDRO, CALIF. — When news broke that two Israeli individuals, engaged to be married, were gunned down in Washington, D.C., the horror reverberated well beyond the nation's capital. Authorities have confirmed that the killings were an act of antisemitic terrorism and reports suggest the shooter yelled “free, free Palestine” during his arrest. The brutality of the crime has raised painful questions for many in Jewish communities already on edge.
In an America increasingly defined by ideological polarization and identity-fueled rage, the bloodshed felt tragically familiar. Hate, no longer lurking on the fringes, has become more emboldened — amplified by social media, fueled by international conflict, and armed with the ease of American gun access.
“This isn’t just about one act of violence,” said Jason Leach, a veteran security professional dedicated to protecting the Jewish community around Temple Beth El in San Pedro, California. “It’s about a climate that allows these acts to grow in frequency and boldness.”
Leach’s commitment is personal. His wife, a former soldier in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has seen the face of terrorism abroad. Together, they’ve chosen to channel their vigilance into service — guarding a community they love, in a country they know is not immune.
Preparation now means more than locked doors and emergency drills. It means professionally trained, licensed security officers embedded within the community — familiar faces equipped not just with vigilance, but with the tools to act in the seconds that matter most.
That mission got a significant boost earlier this year when Armor Research Company, a defense equipment manufacturer based in Southern California, donated a rifle-rated ballistic shield to Temple Beth El. The shield, designed for rapid solo response, is the same kind used by law enforcement teams across the country.
“Faith communities shouldn’t be war zones,” said Kennith Hall, CEO of Armor Research Company, who personally delivered the shield. “But when you have houses of worship being targeted simply for existing, we have a moral obligation to stand with them — not just symbolically, but materially.”
Hall and Leach met through a community preparedness effort earlier this year. When Hall learned about the specific threats Jewish congregations were facing — especially during ongoing geopolitical tensions — he offered not just gear, but his company’s expertise. Armor Research Company followed up with a threat assessment of Temple Beth El and hands-on training for Jason and his team—some of whom are retired police officers and military personnel.
The moment was captured in video and photographs — the quiet handoff of the shield between Hall and Leach, framed by the historic architecture of Temple Beth El. But the gesture carried more than the safety of a shield. It symbolized something often absent in today’s fraught debates about gun violence: unity.
“We’re not waiting for tragedy,” Leach said. “We’re responding to reality.”
That reality — of worshippers gunned down in Pittsburgh, Poway, Jersey City, and now possibly D.C. — is a chilling reminder that faith and safety are no longer synonymous. But rather than retreat, communities like Temple Beth El are adapting. They’re investing in local talent, professional training, and tools built to save lives.
The act of standing guard, once seen as overcautious, is now a form of communal love.
Still, advocates say this shouldn’t be a burden communities bear alone. Policy, funding, and public awareness need to meet the moment. “There’s a national reckoning underway,” said Hall. “We either prepare and protect — or we keep counting victims.”
The answer, at least in San Pedro, is clear.
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