JCC Threats: Suspect Arrested, Baltimore Area Still Vigilant

OWINGS MILLS, MD — Although police in Israel arrested a teen in connection with a series of bomb threats made to Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) across North America, Baltimore JCC leaders say they are still remaining vigilant.

There have been more than 100 threats to JCCs in North America since January, including to centers in Owings Mills and Park Heights.

Michael Kaydar, a teenager with dual Israeli-American citizenship, was reportedly taken into custody on Thursday at his home in southern Israel in connection with more than 100 phone threats against Jewish Community Centers. He is Jewish, and a motive has not been determined, according to the Daily Beast, which reported he may have behavioral issues due to a brain tumor.

"Hopefully, this arrest will bring an end to the threats," JCC of Greater Baltimore CEO Barak Hermann and Board Chair Annette Saxon said in a statement. "Rest assured, we will continue to provide the same level of security and safety at all of our facilities."

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On Thursday, an Israeli judge ordered the teen held until at least March 30 and issued a gag order.

Micky Rosenfield, a spokesman for the police in Israel, told the New York Times that the suspect made threats to institutions in Australia and New Zealand, as well as to a commercial airline flight, forcing an emergency landing.

The suspect used technology to mask his identity and voice in the calls he allegedly made through the internet, according to the Times.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported the suspect was not drafted into the military because he was found unfit to serve and police have accused him of hundreds of incidents involving threats to institutions around the world, including Israel, over a period of two or three years.

Despite the arrest, leaders in the Jewish community remain on alert.

"Even though it appears that the main culprit behind the majority of these attacks has allegedly been identified, anti-Semitism in the U.S. remains a very serious concern," Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement.

"No arrests have been made in three cemetery desecrations or a series of other anti-Semitic incidents involving swastika graffiti and hate fliers," Greenblatt continued. "JCCs and other institutions should not relax security measures or become less vigilant."

This is the second arrest in connection with the threats made to JCCs across North America. Earlier this month, a disgraced former journalist was arrested by federal authorities who accused him of making threats to at least eight Jewish organizations, which he allegedly made to harass and intimidate an ex-girlfriend.

• Maryland Lawmaker 'Deeply Concerned' About JCC Bomb Threats
• Disgraced Former Journalist Arrested for Threats Against Jewish Groups

Statement from JCC of Greater Baltimore Board Chair and CEO on March 23:

Dear JCC Friends,
Today we learned that Israeli police have arrested a suspect for making threatening calls to Jewish Community Centers and Jewish institutions around the world over the past three months.

The JCC, The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore and Baltimore Jewish Council are monitoring the situation. Hopefully, this arrest will bring an end to the threats. In addition, we applaud the diligence, support and counsel of every branch of law enforcement for their concerted efforts.

Rest assured we will continue to provide the same level of security and safety at all of our facilities.

We will share more information with you as it becomes available.

Sincerely,
Barak Hermann, CEO
Annette Saxon, Board Chair

— By Patch editors Feroze Dhanoa and Elizabeth Janney.

Pictured, a Jewish Israeli man who is the prime suspect behind a wave of bomb threats against Jewish community centers and other institutions in the U.S. covers his face as he is brought to court in Rishon Lezion, Israel, on Thursday, March 23, 2017. Photo Credit: Nir Keidar/Associated Press.