As Hanukkah celebrations approach, security at synagogues, community centers and schools in the D.C. area is a concern.

“Something we always say: Security is a process, not a product,” said Rusty Rosenthal, director of community security with JShield, the in-house security department of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

That JShield exists speaks volumes.

Houses of worship try to maintain an open-door policy, mindful, though, of how those with ill intent can exploit such a policy.

“Now, the institutions have better doors, and they keep the doors closed, and there’s locks and there’s cameras keeping an eye on things,” Rosenthal said.

JShield has been around for about a year and is responsible for community security throughout the greater D.C. area.

“We have an intelligence analyst that helps monitor all of the various incidents and any nefarious chatter that might be out there targeting our events, or our facilities or our people. And obviously, there’s plenty of that these days,” Rosenthal said.

He said he believes American Jews are having to cope with security considerations already familiar to some Jewish communities abroad.

“You see institutions and synagogues in Europe or South America, and they look a lot differently than they do here,” he said. “I mean they’re in walled-in compounds with locked gates. So, it’s really not new generally, but it’s a little bit more of a culture shift here in the United States.”

Communities are trying to respond to difficult times without overshadowing a season of celebration.

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – With a government shutdown possible and the holidays approaching, people who rely on steady paychecks could be left to make some tough decisions.

“If Republicans do not work with Democrats in a bipartisan way very soon, the government will shut down at midnight.” Democratic Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, on Friday, putting the political ball in the Republicans court.

The goal? Passing a funding bill by the end of the day.

Services like homeland security, transportation, veterans affairs, and the social security administration will shut down as well. That leaves nearly 1.5 million federal employees without money for bills, food, and the holidays.

“They reached a deal but then they released a text to their members and there was a lot of pushback, including pushback from the incoming president.”

Pushback is what sank the deal, according to MSU political science expert Matt Grossmann.

Now, the House and Senate have to reach some kind of agreement, so the government has money to operate and pay its employees in 2025.

“This is seen as the last train leaving the station for the year and so everybody wanted to put additional things on this bill.” Grossmann said, “The Democrats wanted something so the Republicans wanted something and it got longer and longer.”

According Democratic Senator Gary Peters, a bipartisan agreement to keep the government open was already set.

“One thing that our agreed bill did,” Peters said, “Was provide emergency funding to many of the communities that have been hit by natural disasters that we have seen.”

Republican Congressman Mike Johnson, on Thursday, recalling last spring when he said Democrats berated Republicans, saying it’s irresponsible to hold the debt limit hostage:

“It’s very disappointing to us that all but two Democrats voted against aid to farmers and ranchers, against disaster relief, against all these bipartisan measures that had already been negotiated and decided upon again. The only difference in this legislation was that we would push the debt ceiling to January of 2027.”

There are still a few hours left to avoid a government shutdown. The House and Senate have until midnight to reach an agreement.

If not, a lot of federal services will close and workers won’t see a paycheck.

The House is planning to vote soon.

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San Antonio’s first nonstop flight to Washington D.C. will officially take off on March 2, 2025.

American Airlines will launch the service, becoming the only airline to offer nonstop service between Reagan National Airport (DCA) and San Antonio International Airport (SAT).

Earlier this week, it was confirmed the nonstop flight from DCA to SAT would happen. The U.S. Department of Transportation formally approved an exemption to allow the nonstop flights.

“We have finally landed the plane,” Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports for the San Antonio Airport System, told KSAT in an interview. “Super excited about the partnership that we have established with American Airlines.”

There will be two flights daily, one going to DCA and the other to SAT.

Flight 1718 will depart from SAT at 6:35 a.m. and arrive at DCA at 10:41 a.m. The flight number is significant and commemorates the year San Antonio was founded.

Flight 1947 will depart from DCA at 7:45 p.m. and arrive at SAT at 10:43 p.m. The flight number commemorates the year the U.S. Air Force was established.

“This nonstop flight between SAT and DCA will have a transformative impact on San Antonio. We’re eager to capitalize on this opportunity with American Airlines and are committed to maximizing the economic benefits for our region,” said Erik Walsh, San Antonio City Manager.

This flight is important to the San Antonio community as our city is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. SAT has also continuously seen record-breaking travel numbers throughout 2024.

The need for a nonstop service will impact our military, business, educational and research communities, among others.

“I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg.

Tickets for the new service will be available for purchase beginning Dec. 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.