In order to meet the increasing demand for training and assistance applying for vital government security grants within our Jewish community, Federation’s security department has added two new team members, under the auspicious guidance of Chief Security Officer Robert Wilson.
Thomas Michaels, known to his friends and coworkers as “Chip,” has come onboard as the Director of Community Security Training, and will support the training and exercise needs of organizations within the Jewish community. This will include providing instruction to community members, professional and lay leadership, and law enforcement partners in line with Community Security Initiative’s mission of Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness. Training efforts will involve designing, planning, leading, instructing, and evaluating training sessions, with a current strong focus on Active Threat and Situational Awareness training. Chip will offer both in-person and remote sessions, as organizations can choose what works best for them. Chip will also be implementing table-top and full-scale training exercises, seminars, and webinars with multiple partner agencies and Jewish institutions.
Chip is a respected senior leader with extensive experience in personnel management, organizational administration, and crisis/operations response. During his 24-year career with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Police Department, Chip rose through the ranks until retiring as the Executive Officer of the World Trade Center Command where he developed and implemented security plans and procedures for the iconic World Trade Center Campus. He also served as a supervisor in the elite Emergency Service Unit. His career highlights include numerous decorations for valor and service; service as a First Responder to the 9/11 Attack on the World Trade Center; and a key planner for the 2015 Visit of Pope Francis, which was designated a National Special Security Event (“NSSE”) by the US Department of Homeland Security. He maintains close relationships with many law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. He is also a certified police trainer in the State of New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Planning from Rutgers University. Chip, his wife, and their three children reside in Morris County.
Contact Chip at TMichaels@jfedgmw.org
Dorit Zimerman joins us as a Security Consultant and Content Strategist, and will be aiding Jewish organizations like synagogues, schools and other non-profit groups to receive vital State and Federal security grants, which can dramatically enhance the physical security and improve target hardening of their facilities. Dorit will also be working with the Marketing and Impact teams to externally promote security and safety issues as well as informing the larger Jewish community on how the Federation is working to combat antisemitism and hate.
Dorit previously worked within the counter terrorism and security sectors of government agencies within the United Kingdom. She was involved in deciphering and exercising decontamination strategies for chemical attacks for Public Health England, as well as working in the Community Protection and Crime and Disorder Reduction departments for the local government of Central London. Here Dorit was involved in creating counter terrorism communication plans and strategies, preventing violent extremism and community cohesion initiatives, working with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office regarding in-house training, and was part of the recovery team for the 7/7 London Transport Terror Attacks. Dorit was also a freelance writer and sub-editor for security publications. Dorit has a master’s degree in Terrorism and Security from King’s College London’s distinguished War Studies Department, as well as a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from the Open University, UK, and a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Although South African born, Dorit has moved to New Jersey with her husband and five-year-old twins from London.
Contact Dorit at DZimerman@jfedgmw.org