On September 5, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano participated in the Joint Department of Homeland Security-American Jewish Community Table Top Exercise, hosted by DHS in partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Secure Community Network (SCN) and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

In a press release posted on the DHS website the table top exercise is described as “part of DHS’ ongoing partnership with the Jewish community to evaluate and enhance information sharing between government agencies and the Jewish community and underscore DHS’ commitment to partnering with faith-based communities to prevent, prepare for and respond to threats. Participants in today’s table top exercise included: DHS Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate Rand Beers; SCN National Director Paul Goldenberg; JFNA President and CEO Jerry Silverman; Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein and representatives from the FBI and Department of State.”

Secretary Napolitano said: “DHS has a long-standing partnership with the Jewish community, and I am very proud of how we have built upon and expanded it over the last three and a half years under President Obama’s leadership. Our partnership with organizations and leaders of faith communities has helped, and continues to help, communities across the country prepare for threats that may originate either within our borders, or abroad.”