Reflections on the 7th Annual Faith-Based Organization Safety and Security Seminar at Gillette Stadium

levensondaniel
2 hours ago
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Blog post

By Daniel E. Levenson

November 15, 2025

Left to Right: Daniel E. Levenson and

Boston Archbishop Richard G. Henning.

Earlier this week I had the privilege of attending the 7^th Annual Faith-Based Organization Safety and Security Seminar at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts where leaders from many different synagogues, churches, mosques, temples and other religious organizations spent the day hearing from a range of experts on ways to recognize and mitigate dangers their communities are facing. Not surprisingly I was very pleased to see that the agenda was heavy on core concepts relating to threat assessment and management, with an excellent overview provided by Dr. Jack Rozel, a forensic psychiatrist and leader in the field, as well as Supervisory Special Agent Brian Leblanc, who oversees the Mass Bay Threat Assessment Team. I was also struck by the remarks of Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoff Noble, who emphasized the degree to which each individual community, regardless of faith, and all of us collectively, are facing many of the same threats and that it is only through collaboration that we will find solutions.

Rockport, MA Police Chief John Horvath presented on the innovative was that he and his department have developed a community-based BTAM team by bringing together a range of key stakeholders with a diverse set of skills and views.

It was great to see so many community and law enforcement partners in attendance, and this annual event organized by the Mass State Police and hosted by the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate (a key player in the fight against anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred, started by philanthropist and Jewish community leader Robert Kraft). Setting the tone for the day with an opening non-denominational benediction was Archbishop of Boston Richard G. Henning whose words were a reminder that we all have more in common than we often realize when it comes to building and strengthening an overall culture of inclusion and respect, and working to embody, as we say in Judaism, a spirit of Tikkun Olam (Repair of the world).

*From left to right: Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoff Noble, Daniel E. Levenson and Michael Butsch and Andrew Hoffman of the Secure Community Network*

As usual, I had a number of excellent side conversations, and thought I’d share a few takeaways:

1. In a world in which we are all overloaded with digital communication the value of in-person interaction, especially when it comes to leadership in the safety and security space, is critical.

2. Clergy and faith leaders increasingly recognize that the communities they build and serve are not limited to what takes place within the walls of their institution – and they are taking this into account in the development of their own policies, plans, and procedures.

3. There continues to be a real hunger for training, and especially interactive training for anyone with a front-facing role, from clergy and preschool teachers to administrators and board members. In addition to the individuals who attend a training, the concepts and tools shared in trainings can have a ripple effect throughout an organization and this is something I have seen time and again in my work.

All food for thought and I’m looking forward to the 8^th Annual gathering next fall.