SYNAGOGUES HIKE SECURITY FOR HOLY DAYS RABBIS ATTEND WORKSHOP ON HOW TO INCREASE SAFETY.

Byline: BRAD A. GREENBERG Staff Writer

Rabbi Mark Sobel scribbled notes Wednesday as an FBI agent outlined the three goals of terrorists.

Inflict mass casualties. Devastate infrastructure. Attract a wide audience.

Sobel heads Temple Beth Emet, a small Burbank congregation, and, like many American Jews, he is more concerned than usual about the possibility of an attack against his synagogue during the Jewish High Holy Days, which begin at sundown Sept. 22 with Rosh Hashanah.

``This summer has been traumatic for everybody. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't watch out for my congregation,'' Sobel said after completing a daylong security-training session at the Los Angeles office of the Anti-Defamation League.

The workshop, attended by about 50 Jewish leaders and administrators from the greater L.A. area, was the ADL's second since May. It was prompted by heightened concerns after the July 28 shooting rampage at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, which killed one person and injured five.

But Warren T. Bamford, the special agent in charge of counterterrorism for the FBI's L.A. office, does not believe synagogues are more likely to be attacked during the holidays.

``I'm an advocate of always being vigilant, always being concerned for your safety, being ready to react, because you never know when something is going to happen,'' said Bamford, who spoke at the ADL security workshop.

Tensions have been high in the San Fernando Valley since July 9, when fire was set to Temple Beth David in Tarzana. A month later, the chapel of Sholom Memorial Park in Sylmar was heavily vandalized, with particular desecration aimed at religious icons.

``Anything that was valuable, that had a religious significance, was mutilated,'' said Caren Harville, the cemetery's general manager. ``Who can understand the mind of a felon like that? It's insane. I can't believe somebody would have such little respect for someone's religion.''

But, indeed, some people do -- something most Valley residents don't need to be reminded about, considering the 1999 shooting attack on a Jewish community center in Granada Hills.

According to a December report from the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, 78 percent of religious-based hate crimes in 2004 targeted Jews. Some examples from last year, according to the ADL:

Students at a Valley elementary school were heard saying, ``Hitler was right'' and ``Burn the Jews.''

An L.A.-area high school teacher returned from Yom Kippur to find his classroom windows painted with swastikas.

A note with a swastika and ``F--- Jews'' was posted on a West L.A. teacher's classroom door.

After the war in Lebanon, which for some aroused anger against Jews, many Jews worry that the 10 days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur could be inviting to a terrorist attack.

``The High Holidays are symbolic. It has some connection going back to the Yom Kippur War in '73, when Israel was caught by surprise because the whole community was in prayer,'' said Eli Lipmen, spokesman for the American Jewish Committee's L.A. office.

In light of that, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles created a $150,000 fund for small congregations that need money for more security.

Synagogues and Jewish community centers typically employ more security than would be found at churches or mosques. Fences, video cameras and on-site security are commonplace. But rabbis are beefing up those efforts for the holidays.

Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge plans to employ both uniformed and undercover security guards for holiday services. Like most L.A. synagogues, Ahavat Shalom also requires tickets for the events and ushers attendees in through a single entrance.

``It's unfortunate that it is something we have to think about,'' Rabbi Barry Lutz said.

But being mindful is essential, said Morris S. Casuto, a temple security adviser and director of the San Diego chapter of the ADL.

``The three most important characteristics for security for the Jewish community are: vigilance, vigilance and vigilance.''

brad.greenberg(at)dailynews.com

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