Jewish patrols organized to protect synagogues, following a fire of mysterious origin which damaged the Kingsbury Synagogue in suburban Middlesex, Victor Mishcon, chairman of the Jewish Defense Committee of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, disclosed today. There were suspicions that the fire had been set by two unidentified men seen by a neighbor running from the site Just after the conflagration broke out yesterday.
Mr. Mishcon said that members of his committee had met with representatives of the Association of Jewish Ex-serviceman and Women “to decide upon certain steps, including the installation of patrols.” He said “the necessary steps were arranged within a very short time.”
The Committee issued an appeal to all synagogue managements “to check on the security of their premises and to take every possible precaution to prevent unauthorized entry and consequent damage.” Members of the Board of Deputies, Mr. Mishcon said, have been requested to ensure that the synagogues in their areas follow the precautionary suggestions. He said also that “the closest contact is being maintained with the police authorities at both the central and local levels.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.