Home > Blog > WHC Staff > Welcoming Our New Director of Security: A Commitment to Safety Amid Rising Antisemitism
We are pleased to announce the hiring of Craig Goldberg as our first Director of Safety & Security. This critical addition to our team comes at a time when the safety and security of our community are paramount. The rise in antisemitism across the country has heightened the need for robust protective measures, and we are fortunate to have found someone with Craig’s extensive expertise and dedication.
Executive Director Lindsay Feldman said, “Our congregation’s security has always been our top priority and since October 7 the need to ensure safety has changed, which is why we created this role. We are thrilled to welcome Craig as his exceptional qualifications and personal commitment to our community are exactly what we need to ensure a secure and welcoming environment for all.”
Recently, the WHC Board of Directors called for and implemented a top-down security review with an eye toward identifying and investing in security enhancements. In 2023, the Board created a Buildings & Security Committee, chaired by WHC Assistant Treasurer Evan Winston, to oversee significant security upgrades, with consultation from WHC member Ari Baranoff, a former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent and security expert. WHC also retained Pangaea Consulting, specialists in enhancing security and public safety for large religious institutions and other organizations around the country, to review our existing systems and make recommendations for the future. Today’s hiring announcement is another key component of WHC’s planning and improvements.
Craig joins us after a distinguished 20-year career with the United States Postal Inspection Service, where he rose to the position of Deputy Chief Inspector. He brings a wealth of expertise to our Temple, encompassing emergency preparedness, physical security, and investigations. Craig’s professional background encompasses an array of security and leadership roles, including leading a team of 3,000 federal agents and serving on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, making him exceptionally qualified to lead our security efforts.
Craig has expressed a deep personal connection to our community and a renewed commitment to his Jewish heritage, motivated by the troubling rise in antisemitism and his desire to protect and serve Jewish congregants.
“Although I am Jewish, had a bar mitzvah, and was married by a rabbi, my ties to Judaism have been more cultural than religious during my adult life. However, the recent wave of antisemitism flooding across our country, and my twin 15-year-old daughters’ recent interest in exploring Judaism further, has ignited my Jewish pride and rekindled my interest in becoming more involved in the Jewish community and more actively supporting Judaism’s commitment to social justice.”
Craig’s unique combination of federal law enforcement experience, strategic leadership, and personal commitment to the Jewish community will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our security measures. His appointment is not only a proactive step towards ensuring the safety of our congregation but also a powerful statement of resilience against the rising tide of antisemitism.
We welcome Craig with open arms and look forward to the positive impact his expertise and dedication will bring to our synagogue. Let us stand together in strength and unity, ensuring that our sacred spaces remain safe and welcoming for all.
For any questions or to learn more about our security initiatives, please contact Executive Director Lindsay Feldman at lfeldman@whctemple.org.
