Protect AND Serve
By Emma Dixon
Jake Silverman is thoroughly enjoying his second career, which he considers to be a blessing. As chief security officer of Shalom Orlando, he oversees the main campus in Maitland – home to the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, The Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando (including its preschool), and Jewish Academy of Orlando.
Born in Brunswick, Maine, Jake came to Orlando in 1989 after accepting a job with the Orlando Police Department, where he served the community for three decades. A member of several special operations units within the department, Jake was also part of the U.S. Marshal Florida-Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force for 17 years. Holding a master’s degree in emergency disaster management, he lives in Orlando with his wife Victoria.
“All of my career fused together so that I now offer assistance to the Jewish community,” says Jake. “The community didn’t have a single-point contact, and now they do. It’s a privilege, and I’m very blessed in that I have 30 years of service to the Orlando community, and that I can continue to offer service in this role.”
MISSION: POSSIBLE
Jake’s current mission is crystal clear.
“My mantra has always been, how can you study, play, worship, or any of those things as an individual or as a family if the first thing on your mind is that you don’t feel safe?,” he says. “So, that’s our goal – for you to be able to take a deep breath and then learn, partake, and enjoy.”
Rachel Greenspan, co-executive director of Shalom Orlando, agrees.
Jake Silverman.
“Daily, we are reminded of the paramount importance of safeguarding our communities in today’s increasingly complex world,” says Rachel. “Ensuring the safety of all who enter our doors remains a top priority. Our commitment to vigilance is unwavering as we fortify our facilities, deploy advanced security measures, and foster close collaboration with law enforcement agencies to effectively mitigate risks.”
A COMMUNITY CONDUIT
“I serve as a liaison with the community,” says Jake. “I have a lot of federal connections as well as active engagement with the F.B.I. (Federal Bureau of Investigation), so I’ve become a conduit for the community.”
Just like local public schools, Shalom Orlando has various security measures in place. Initial screenings occur when visitors enter the building, and they must be escorted into certain areas of the facility. If there are outdoor events, the security levels go up, with hard screenings in place including bag checks. Jake likens this approach to going to events at sports venues across the country.
“People are used to these sorts of security measures and accept that they’re necessary,” he says. “Once you get through the initial screening, you can let your hair down and enjoy the environment.”
Jake acknowledges an uptick in antisemitic threats since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel but notes that his purview hasn’t changed.
ALWAYS VIGILANT
“We’ve been under a threat level for years,” he says. “We’re continuing to do what we’ve always done to keep our facilities across the region safe.” While the threats have increased, funding for security has also increased at both federal and state levels.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security offer money to any site that meets certain criteria. Similarly, the State of Florida offers additional money to supplement security budgets for Jewish day schools.
Jake is aware that smaller Jewish facilities might not understand the grant application process, and he is ready and willing to lend them a helping hand.
Reflecting on his responsibility to the Shalom Orlando campus, Jake says: “The curriculum has to have a great reputation. The teachers have to have a great reputation. But ultimately, if you don’t feel safe here, then what’s the point? That will always be our primary goal.
To contact Jake about security issues or grant applications, please email him at jake.silverman@shalomorlando.org.
This story was originally published in print in Summer 2024.