Jewish Community Emergency Response Team (JCERT) - JFSSD
Moving Forward Together

Jewish Community Emergency Response Team (JCERT)

Uniting Against Antisemitism

The Center for Jewish Care is partnering with a core group of Jewish organizations to combat antisemitism locally by building on a century’s worth of expertise and experience in serving the Jewish community and providing culturally sensitive support following the 2019 attack on Chabad of Poway.

FBI San Diego Presents 2019 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award to Jewish Family Service >>

We’re Here For You

If you are injured or fear for your safety or the safety of others, call 911 immediately.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or call the San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL) at (888) 724‑7240. Live chat is also available Monday-Friday, 4:00-10:00pm at It’s Up to Us San Diego.

If you are in need of emotional support as the result of an antisemitic incident or crime, please call JCERT at the Center for Jewish Care at (858) 637‑7353.

JCERT: Strengthening Our Community Against Hate

CA Stop the Hate Logo

As a recipient of the Stop the Hate grant, funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), the Center for Jewish Care bolsters support for our Jewish community and leads the new Jewish Community Emergency Response Team (JCERT) housed within the Jewish Community Rapid Response Network (JCRRN).

This new rapid response network plays a significant role in maximizing the strength of each partner and increasing community coordination to support and build the resilience of our Jewish community. JCERT is comprised of a trained group of professionals ready to deploy culturally sensitive services, support, and resources in the aftermath of hate incidents or crimes against San Diego’s Jewish community.

JCERT is comprised of professionals and community volunteers who have been highly trained to care for their neighbors in crisis and for themselves in ways that support resilience and grounding for the entire community. JCERT team members engage in culturally competent and compassionate interactions, provide psychological first aid, and connect community members with immediate resources like food, shelter, and transportation. In addition, JCERT supports intermediate and long-term objectives by referring to professional case managers, spiritual leaders, and other resources as needed. This critical contribution to the JCRRN also empowers members to step up to help their families, friends, and congregations in the event of immediate need while waiting for help to arrive.

Learn how the 2024 San Diego Jewish Community study, A Blueprint for Our Future, is informing our work here.

Join Our Jewish Community Emergency Response Team!

Applications to become a JCERT Community Volunteer for Cohort 2 are now open! Interviews will be conducted in December with onboarding and pre-work to follow. Intensive training will run from mid-January through April 2025.

To receive the full position description and application link, please email [email protected].

Hurry! Applications will close on December 4.

Reporting an Antisemitic Incident or Crime

  • Call 911 and/or go to the hospital immediately if you are seriously injured, or fear for your safety or the safety of others.
  • For non-emergency reports:
    • San Diego Police Department – (619) 531-2000
    • San Diego County Sheriff’s Department – (858) 565-5200
  • Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
  • For college campuses

Community Resources

American Jewish Committee: Guidance on Reporting Antisemitism to Federal Agencies, Law Enforcement, and Social Media

Anti-Defamation League (ADL):

California Civil Rights Department: California vs. Hate campaign

California Department of Social Services: Stop the Hate Program

Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism (April 2024): PDF Report

Hillel International: Confronting Antisemitism on Campus

Jewish Federation of San Diego: Combating Antisemitism

San Diego County District Attorney: Hate Crimes Unit

San Diego Police Department: Hate Crimes Unit

San Diego Sheriff’s Department: Hate Crimes Unit

U.S. National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism (May 2023): Website  |  PDF Report

Questions?

Contact JCERT at (858) 637-7353 or [email protected] for more information.