Let’s Connect had a fabulous turnout for Be Aware. Be Prepared., an important and timely lecture presented by Esti Rossberg on staying aware, being safe, and refusing to be a victim.
The evening focused on practical ways women can increase their personal safety in everyday life, with guidance for the home, outdoors, stores, public spaces, shul, Shabbos and Yom Tov, and while caring for children and grandchildren.
Esti explained that situational awareness is not about living with fear. It is about being alert, prepared, and able to respond with confidence. She encouraged women to notice their surroundings, recognize suspicious behavior, trust their instincts, and have a plan before a situation becomes dangerous.
One of the key messages of the evening was that seconds count. When a person has already thought through what to do, she is better able to avoid danger, escape when possible, and defend herself if necessary. Esti emphasized that criminals often look for easy targets, and that walking with awareness and confidence can make a real difference.
Participants learned practical steps for improving safety at home, including checking locks, doors, windows, lighting, bushes, alarms, and cameras. Esti also spoke about creating a family safety plan, choosing a safe room, using a code word, and making sure family members know what to do in an emergency.
The lecture also addressed safety in public places. Esti reminded women to keep their heads up, avoid being distracted by phones, notice blind spots, identify exits, and pay attention to people and objects nearby. She encouraged women not to worry about offending someone if they need to move away, change direction, or take action to feel safer.
Special attention was given to safety on Shabbos and Yom Tov, when homes may be unlocked, doors may be open, and children may be moving between homes or shul. Esti stressed the importance of knowing where children and grandchildren are, identifying exits in shul, listening for unusual sounds, and following instructions from security personnel or gabbaim in case of emergency.
The evening gave women practical tools to think ahead, stay alert, and protect themselves and their families. It was an empowering and meaningful program that left participants with a stronger awareness of their surroundings and a clearer understanding of how small steps can make a significant difference.
Esti Rossberg is a long time Baltimorean (originally a New Yorker) who worked in IT for many years before leaving the corporate world to pursue her three passions: sourdough bread baking, personal technology support, and personal and community safety & defense. Her mantra is “safety is no accident,” which includes everything from making sure children are buckled in the car, to making sure someone can survive an intruder in their home.
She teaches Countering the Mass Shooter for institutions such as houses of worship and schools, is an NRA and USCCA Certified Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer, a USCCA certified Women’s Handgun and Self Defense Fundamentals instructor, and is certified by the Maryland State Police to teach HQL (Handgun Qualification License) and CCW (Maryland Concealed Carry) courses.
She is also a certified Refuse To Be A Victim® instructor. The RTBAV seminars teach individuals how to create their own personal/family safety plan by presenting a myriad of options and alternatives and allowing individuals to craft a plan based on their own situation and needs. The Refuse To Be A Victim seminar does not include any discussion of firearms, and is appropriate for all ages.
Esti can be reached at womenoffire18@gmail.com
