6/23/26
JFO Campus Safety and Security Manager Receives Award
Temple Israel recently honored James Donahue, campus safety and security manager at the Jewish Federation of Omaha, with the Shomer Ha’Ir Award for Contributions from Outside the Congregation. This was the first year the award was given out.
Donahue was selected for his contributions to the greater Jewish community.
“We are so grateful to James,” Rabbi Benjamin Sharff said. “We cannot keep our community safe alone. We need friends and allies who stand with us. James embodies these values. This is why Temple Israel was honored to present him with the Shomer Ha’Ir Award.”
When asked why Donahue was selected, Sharff provided several reasons.
“James has gone above and beyond in support of our security challenges. He has worked with us to create a Security Response Group so local congregations and organizations can address specific challenges more quickly. He has worked with Temple Israel’s security committee and made suggestions for security improvements to our facility and cemetery. He has advised the security response group for Tri-Faith and helped address concerns and challenges on the Commons,” Sharff said. “James has been forthcoming in sharing guidance on security-related questions, no matter how large or small. He is always willing to take our calls and answer our emails. He is a delightful presence and consistently offers his expertise to help keep us safe.”
Donahue began working at the Jewish Federation of Omaha in 2022. He was hired in conjunction with the launch of the JFO’s Community Security Initiative, an effort created to strengthen preparedness and mitigate the modern threat landscape. He came to the JFO with more than 18 years of security experience, having served both as a U.S. Marine and as a security contractor in Afghanistan for the Department of Defense.
Over the past four years, Donahue’s impact on the community has been substantial. Under his leadership, the physical and procedural elements of security across the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus have been significantly enhanced. He has also worked closely with local synagogues, helping them complete threat assessments and review materials required for nonprofit security grant applications.
“My work as the JFO campus safety and security manager is multifaceted,” Donahue said. “In addition to physical security measures, there is an intelligence component. I work to provide clear, direct channels for documenting antisemitic incidents and suspicious activity. I ensure this information is immediately shared with law enforcement and national networks. I organize safety and security preparedness training for JFO staff and the broader community.”
Whether at a school, shopping mall or house of worship, Donahue recognizes that the need for security in today’s world extends across all types of institutions. Through his work, he aims to enact rigorous safety protocols without compromising the warmth and accessibility that define a shared community space.
“It’s about creating a culture of awareness that extends from the community’s values, rather than creating an intrusive presence that generates fear,” he said.
One experience that further informed this approach was Donahue’s first trip to Israel in 2025. As part of a national program through the Jewish Federations of North America and the Secure Community Network, Donahue had the opportunity to learn firsthand about security measures across Israel. He found the experience transformative on both a personal and professional level.
“My time in Israel forced me to rethink my approach to readiness. Much of the military and security training I’ve had has focused on immediate, tactical reactions to a crisis. In Israel, I saw a holistic model where the focus is split equally between proactive prevention and rapid psychological resilience after an incident. It taught me that a secure environment isn’t just one that prevents emergencies, but one that is built to recover, adapt and keep moving forward without missing a beat,” he said. “It was inspiring.”
Donahue credits these experiences, along with the vision of the Jewish Federation of Omaha and the community’s vigilance, as key factors in his success.
“I’m fortunate to work with a great team of people,” he said. “The work the JFO and its agencies do to enhance the safety of the community goes well beyond my position. The staff actively advocate for and assist local Jewish and interfaith institutions in accessing state and federal security grants to obtain funding for physical security upgrades. The greater Jewish community also has been great to work with.”
“To me, this award is a reflection of the hard work we have all put in over the last few years,” he added. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the JFO’s dedication to keeping the community safe recognized at this level. While my name may be on the award, it truly represents a collective effort, and it motivates me to keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve next.”
