The High Holy Days are among the most meaningful - and best attended - times of year for Jewish communities. Synagogues fill with families, friends, and community members coming together to worship and welcome a new year. With larger gatherings come greater responsibilities around safety and security, making preparation an important part of getting ready for the season.

Recently, we spoke with Lieutenant Matt “Wojo” Wojslawowicz while he was in Hilton Head conducting security trainings for Jewish community leaders from across South Carolina. Wojo joined Secure Community Network (SCN) in May of 2026 as the organization’s Regional Security Advisor for South Carolina, following a 22-year career with the Charleston Police Department. During his time with CPD, Wojo served in patrol and as a detective and held leadership roles overseeing the Civil Disturbance Unit, Dive Team, Traffic Division, and Daniel Island and West Ashley patrol divisions. His new role with SCN builds on more than two decades of working closely with Charleston’s Jewish community.

Wojo’s work with SCN goes far beyond responding to emergencies. SCN’s professionals conduct threat assessments, provide security consultations, and teach practical courses designed to empower community members. During our conversation, he was preparing to teach a class titled “The Power of Hello,” which encourages people to engage with those entering their facilities, and “Navigating Conflict,” a course focused on de-escalation.

“Both of them are empowering citizens to be more safe and secure in their facilities,” Wojo says.
While much of SCN’s training courses focus on “worst-case scenarios”, Wojo emphasizes that the same basic principles can apply to a range of emergencies. “A lot of the topics that we teach might be framed as an active shooter situation,” he explains, “but how can we use this to respond to other events? A fire in your facility, a bomb threat, someone with a mental health crisis, a protest outside your shul. If there’s a weather event here in South Carolina, like a hurricane, how do we best prepare for these moments? It might be as simple as knowing where the emergency exits are.”

The Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston is proud to support this work through substantial allocations to community security, helping make SCN’s expertise and resources available to Jewish institutions across Charleston. SCN also helps organizations pursue federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding for security improvements, including cameras, reinforced doors and windows, and other measures.

As the High Holy Days approach, Wojo is also working directly with local law enforcement. He plans to remind Charleston-area police partners when Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are near, provide education about the holidays and expected increased activity, and request additional patrols around Jewish institutions. “Most facilities do hire off duty or private security to be at the facility itself,” Wojo notes. “But that doesn’t cover people walking from their homes” to services and events. The partnership with law enforcement provides an additional layer of awareness and support throughout the community.

What can you do?
Security is a shared responsibility. This High Holiday season, Wojo recommends:

• Know more than one way out. Take a moment to identify alternate exits when you arrive, and pay attention to your surroundings.
• Follow your synagogue’s guidance. Review emergency information and follow instructions from staff, security personnel, or first responders.
• Speak up if something feels wrong. Alert the appropriate person rather than trying to handle a suspicious situation yourself.
• Learn the basics. SCN offers free resources to help individuals and organizations prepare. The High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series is available to the public and provides additional guidance for preparing for the season. Watch here.

Ultimately, security is about more than protecting buildings. It is about creating the conditions that allow Jewish life and traditions to continue openly and proudly.

As we enter the High Holy Days, may the new year bring safety, strength, and peace to Jewish Charleston and to Jewish communities everywhere.
Shanah Tovah!