Eitan returned to Miami the next day and went to work as if nothing was out of the ordinary. However, before heading to his office, he stopped by to see the Temple’s head of security. Avishai Levi was a former Israeli paratrooper who later became head of the security detail for two Israeli prime ministers. He moved to Miami about twenty years ago after meeting his American wife on vacation in New York City. The American Jewish community cherished his expertise. Since the massacre in Pittsburgh at the Tree of Life Congregation, congregants were constantly clamoring for more and more security capability. Everyone at Temple Brit Kodesh felt fortunate to have Avishai leading the team that patrolled its grounds.
Upon walking into the building, Rabbi Groh headed straight for the security office. Avishai was monitoring the multiple video screens that hung on the wall across from his desk. They captured surveillance of the Temple campus from a multitude of vantage points. On one screen, a teacher was leading her preschool class towards the gymnasium. On another screen, two elderly women were deep in discussion in the Temple lobby, completely unaware that anyone was watching them. On a third, parked cars sat peacefully undisturbed in the parking lot.
“Rabbi, boker tov,” Avishai said when the rabbi appeared at his door.
“Boker tov, Avishai. Listen, I need to speak with you confidentially.”
“Of course, what’s going on?”
“I would like you to speak with your contacts at the FBI and Homeland Security. There have been threats made against me and the Temple because of my involvement in the Ukraine issues. They are credible and scary.”
“I see. To be honest, Rabbi, this does not surprise me.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Anytime a rabbi’s name is in the news, bad people take note. Especially when you are successful.”
“Please keep in touch with your FBI friends, and if you think it is unsafe for me to be at Temple, let me know.”
“I will, Rabbi. In the meantime, I wouldn’t mention this to anyone. We don’t need rumors spreading around and causing hysteria.”
“Trust me, Avishai. No one will hear about this from me.”
“Good. I will let you know what I hear.”
“Thank you,” said Rabbi Groh as he turned to head out of his security director’s office.
“Remember, you and your wife are coming to my home for Shabbat dinner this Friday,” Avishai announced before the rabbi could get out of his office.
“You are really going to make me schlep out to Brickell Key after services?”
“Come on, it’s my wife’s birthday. You promised to join us.”
“Ok, I know. We will be there.”
For a moment, it felt good to talk about something normal. But the reality of the situation quickly returned to mind. Avishai was stoic as ever, but the rabbi was certain that Avishai’s stomach must be turning. His job was hard enough guarding the largest synagogue in the Southeast from every anti-Semite who wanted to add his name to the list of domestic terrorists targeting the Jewish community. But now he had intelligence of a real threat directed at his rabbi and his community.
Rabbi Groh walked down the hall toward the clergy suite. He was certain that Avishai was already making calls to his highly placed contacts. For now, he would let Avishai deal with security. He quickly said hello to his secretary and headed over to his desk. Ignoring the pile of mail waiting for him, Rabbi Groh clicked on his keyboard and focused his attention on his computer screen. He opened a new word document and started typing. He typed three words at the top of the page. Rosh Hashanah sermon.