December 2024
Wendy Schneider

The Hamilton Jewish Federation has appointed Glenn Mannella, a seasoned law enforcement professional, to strengthen the safety and security of the city’s Jewish institutions. With more than 30 years of experience with the Halton Regional Police, Mannella brings a wealth of knowledge in security operations and a deep understanding of both the human and operational sides of policing. His appointment is part of a collaboration between the Federation and the Secure Community Network (SCN), a nonprofit established by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) to enhance security for Jewish communities across the continent.

Mannella recently completed rigorous training at SCN’s Chicago headquarters, where experts monitor antisemitic extremism and hate incidents. In his new role, he will focus on conducting security assessments for Hamilton’s Jewish institutions, fostering relationships with law enforcement and community leaders, developing a coordinated crisis response network, and implementing training programs to help staff and community members identify and address potential threats.

Mannella sees his role as an opportunity to leverage his operational planning and crisis management skills to benefit a community facing rising security challenges. “With SCN’s support, we are well-positioned to create a safer environment for Hamilton’s Jewish institutions,” he said.

Federation CEO Gustavo Rymberg welcomed Mannella’s appointment, stating, “Having Glenn on board brings peace of mind. His expertise, combined with SCN’s resources, provides our community with a level of security we couldn’t achieve on our own.”

The Hamilton Jewish Federation joins a growing network of federations partnering with SCN to establish comprehensive security programs designed with an “all threats, all hazards” approach. These initiatives connect directly to SCN’s National Jewish Security Operations Command Center, providing access to best practices, resources, and support for physical security, training, and incident response.

Mannella’s position is funded by the Federation’s community security fund, with additional support from JFNA’s $130-million LiveSecure Campaign—the largest initiative to date for creating a security infrastructure for Jewish communities across North America.

Grateful for the warm welcome he has received, Mannella expressed his enthusiasm for the role. “The appreciation for this position being filled is humbling, and I’m thrilled to be part of this critical initiative,” he said.