Rabbi Paul Offenkrantz of the Liberal Jewish Temple of Coconut Creek. Courtesy Rabbi Paul Offenkrantz
Coconut Creek Police recently visited with members of the Liberal Jewish Temple of Coconut Creek to share information on how to stay safe and avoid becoming crime victims.
While the department’s community presentations do not specifically address religious hatred – including the unprecedented surge in antisemitism currently impacting Jewish Americans – temple leaders said they were heartened by the visit and their positive relationship with police.
“Any cooperation between any faith organization and law enforcement, and sharing of information, is a good thing,” said Rabbi Paul Offenkrantz, who leads services at the Liberal Jewish Temple. “Whether it’s a church, a mosque, or a synagogue, cooperation is positive.”
Coconut Creek Police Department spokesman Scotty Leamon said the July 11 presentation to the temple’s sisterhood group focused, in part, on remaining vigilant while in public.
“We talked about staying aware while you’re out, of being aware of your surroundings,” said Leamon. “A lot of times, if you’re aware of your surroundings, it will keep you out of trouble.”
According to temple president Iris Arlan, the Liberal Jewish Temple is nearly 50 years old and has about 150 members. The temple holds Friday night services, High Holy Days services, and other events in the clubhouse at Centura Parc, 2395 Northwest 36th Ave.
Temple leaders said the word “liberal” in the temple’s name refers to its practicing Reform Judaism. The word also refers to the temple’s openness to anyone regardless of their age, race, gender, religious background, ethnicity, disability, or sexual identity.
The temple’s membership base currently skews older and draws primarily from the Wynmoor 55 and over community and surrounding areas.
Thankfully, Arlan said, none of the temple’s members have said they were the victims of any antisemitic acts during the ongoing surge in anti-Jewish hate across the U.S.
“We feel very safe,” said Arlan, adding that police offer the temple additional security as needed, especially during the High Holy Days. “We thank the community and the Coconut Creek Police Department for keeping us safe.”
Offenkrantz, who has led the temple’s services for nearly 10 years, said it’s particularly important for Jews to be aware in this time of rising antisemitism.
“We’re all very concerned,” said the rabbi. “Antisemitism is not something that’s just reared its head overnight; it’s been very noticeable over the last several years when people have been emboldened and empowered to commit heinous acts against Jews. Antisemitism has been around [for thousands of years], and it shape-shifts, it morphs to adapt to the times.”
The number of antisemitic incidents recorded in the U.S. has skyrocketed since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists massacred some 1,200 people in southern Israel and set off the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
“I am not a person who believes in hiding – then the haters win,” Offenkrantz said. “I actually believe that now is the time to stand up proudly and wear your Magen David [Star of David] and yarmulke. Don’t cower in fear. At the same time, we have to be vigilant, and we have to have our eyes open.”
Temple leaders stressed that members feel safe and welcomed in Coconut Creek, where they have been embraced by the community.
Anyone interested in joining the temple or attending services can call Arlan at 908-403-8761.
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