Schenectady Rabbi Reflects on Security Amid Conflict

Congregation Gates of Heaven celebrates Purim while navigating heightened security concerns.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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As the Jewish community in Schenectady, New York gathered to celebrate the holiday of Purim, Rabbi Matt Cutler and his congregation at Congregation Gates of Heaven reflected on the need for increased security measures in the wake of recent conflicts in the Middle East. A security guard now sits inside the locked front doors of the synagogue, a pattern Cutler says has become common in recent years, though he doesn't want people to hide away.

Why it matters

The Jewish community in the U.S. has faced heightened security concerns and the threat of violence in recent years, leading places of worship like synagogues to take extra precautions. This story highlights how these security measures impact the ability of the community to freely gather and celebrate their faith, and the mixed emotions around needing to balance safety with maintaining an open and welcoming environment.

The details

During the Purim celebration, the congregation held a moment of silence and reflected on the recent strikes in Iran and the Middle East. Mindy Holland, the board chair of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and a congregation member, noted that Governor Hochul had asked for increased security during the holiday season, which the Jewish community is grateful for. However, Rabbi Cutler expressed that he doesn't want the community to have to hide away, saying "If you stay away from gathering at the synagogue, from being in the synagogue in Israel for a bar mitzvah, for being here for Purim, then terrorism wins."

  • On Monday night, March 3, 2026, Jewish people gathered at Congregation Gates of Heaven to celebrate Purim.
  • In recent years, a security guard has been stationed inside the locked front doors of the synagogue.

The players

Rabbi Matt Cutler

The rabbi at Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady, New York.

Mindy Holland

The board chair of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and a member of Congregation Gates of Heaven.

Governor Kathy Hochul

The governor of New York who asked for increased security during the holiday season.

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What they’re saying

“We're always nervous. But there's a fine dance we have to do tonight.”

— Rabbi Matt Cutler, Rabbi (news10.com)

“This has just been the pattern of the last few years. This is something that is part of the culture and has to be broken.”

— Rabbi Matt Cutler, Rabbi (news10.com)

“Governor Hochul has asked for increased security this holiday season, and we in the Jewish community are very grateful for that.”

— Mindy Holland, Board Chair, Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York (news10.com)

“If you stay away from gathering at the synagogue, from being in the synagogue in Israel for a bar mitzvah, for being here for Purim, then terrorism wins.”

— Rabbi Matt Cutler, Rabbi (news10.com)

What’s next

Rabbi Cutler is also thinking of his extended family waiting to find out if they can go to Israel for his great nephew's bar mitzvah in Israel. He said that "Whether the family's there or not, there will be joy and celebration as this young man reads Torah for the first time," and that they have everything set up downstairs in the bomb shelter if need be.

The takeaway

This story highlights the difficult balance the Jewish community must strike between maintaining security and an open, welcoming environment for religious and cultural celebrations. While increased security measures have become a necessary part of the culture, Rabbi Cutler emphasizes that giving in to fear and staying away from these important gatherings would be a victory for terrorism.