CCL Shul Members is pleased to announce the selection of our new name, Magen Chicago, to reflect our growth from a small group of concerned citizens to an organization at the forefront of safety and security in the Greater Chicago area.
CCL Shul Members started as a grassroots organization in 2016 by a diverse group of medics, educators, professionals, and businessmen who were all concerned citizens eager to learn about responsibly securing their respective shuls. We soon expanded to provide our members with support, education, and training in emergency medicine, security, safety, and threat response. As antisemitism incidents increased, CCL Shul Members collaborated with shul boards and leaders to create dedicated, community-centered safety teams for our shuls.
Over the years, CCL Shul Members have broadened their scope of operations. The organization built relationships worked with first responders and provided much-needed information and education to the entire Chicago Jewish community. Stop the Bleed courses and medical kits for shuls, candle lighting PSAs, safety seminars, our “When in Doubt, Call It Out” 911 campaign, the Community Tip Line, community outreach, and the Shul Alert Channel, which is monitored by over 130 safety team members and five local police departments, are among our current communications, campaigns, and ongoing classes. We also have active threat presentations and drills with local first responder agencies, women’s and men’s krav maga classes, and Krav maga classes for school students with the help of Standstrong. We also provide CPR/AED classes to individuals and shuls, as well as local security cameras for use by the police and our original Shul Safety Officer and Greeter programs.
With our accomplishments, we’ve grown into more than just a group of concerned citizens. We have formed a group whose mission is to protect our shuls, schools, and community through planning, education, and collaboration among local law enforcement agencies. Magen Chicago is now our new name.
We have so much more to do as Magen Chicago. Our education and programs are provided to the community at no cost. And with the community’s financial support, we will be able to expand our outreach and efforts even further. Magen Chicago is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) status. Contributions are tax-deductible. magenchicago.org
