BROOKLYN – Amid an alarming increase in antisemitic incidents globally, Jewish institutions around the world have been on high alert. The FBI’s hate crime statistics showed that Jews were targets of nearly 60% of all hate crimes while making up only 2% of the country’s population. In response, a Gen-Z NYC rabbi and entrepreneur developed a high-tech solution to protect synagogues and help Jewish people feel safe.
Rabbi Yossi Eliav, director at Chabad of Clinton Hill and Pratt, drew upon his experience in commercial real estate and as a rabbi on a college campus to create “US Virtual Guard.” This innovative security startup combines proprietary AI software with IDF-inspired human monitoring protocols to provide synagogues and other Jewish institutions with the safety they need during these fraught times.
“Antisemitism is no longer a far-off threat; it’s a reality that needs to be addressed now,” said Rabbi Yossi Eliav, director of Chabad of Clinton Hill in Brooklyn, NY. “We need to empower our communities with more robust security tools to save lives and keep people safe.”
The company’s leadership team possesses over 35 years of combined experience in security, communal leadership, and commercial real estate. Their approach utilizes the latest IDF methodologies in which rotating shifts of watchers maintain peak alertness. This system ensures continuous vigilance while reducing fatigue, significantly increasing the effectiveness of security monitoring compared to traditional methods.
US Virtual Guard’s security system combines proprietary AI software with remote human monitoring to create a comprehensive shield of protection. Trained security professionals monitor camera feeds 24/7 in real time. This surveillance is augmented by advanced computer vision algorithms that analyze footage to alert for potential threats. When suspicious activity is confirmed, the security professionals coordinate an appropriate response, including contacting local authorities.
“Our system transforms existing security cameras into a proactive solution rather than a reactive tool,” said Eliav. “The number one thing our users appreciate is that we prevent incidents from happening instead of just responding to them.”
US Virtual Guard has already been implemented at dozens of locations such as schools, synagogues, and Jewish community centers, and the company has a particular focus on making this technology accessible to smaller institutions that might not have the resources to hire in-person security guards. This service addresses a crucial gap in security beyond the Jewish world and has been adopted by small business owners and residential property managers.
“The best way to combat antisemitism in the long term is through education,” said Eliav. “In the short term, however, we must do what we can to keep our communities safe.”
This article is based on verified information from US Virtual Guard.