'We Stand By Our Jewish Friends,' Says Maplewood; Suspect In Threat Captured By FBI

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The town of Maplewood issued two messages to residents this week in response to a warning from the FBI about a "broad threat" to synagogues in New Jersey — a warning that came amid the recent amplification of anti-Semitic language and incidents.

The FBI said Friday that the threat had ended after a suspect was captured. However, national groups have said that antisemitic incidents are on the rise in America.

Three years ago, a mother of three, a police officer, and two other victims were murdered in Jersey City in an anti-Semitic attack.

This past week, an Essex County synagogue commemorated Krystallnacht, a two-day period in which the Nazis unleashed a wave of violence. From Nov. 9-10, 1938, Jewish people were beaten and synagogues attacked in Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland, making it clear that the Nazis' verbal attacks on Jewish people were not just idle threats, as some in the U.S. had believed in the 1930s.

On Friday, the town of Maplewood and the school district both expressed support for the local community in separate messages.

The town issued this updated message Friday: "The FBI has informed that the credible threat towards New Jersey synagogues has been neutralized. We will continue taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of our Jewish community. The Maplewood Police Department will stay attentive to any updates and provide the public with additional information as necessary.

"The Maplewood Police Department would like to remind all residents, if they see anything unusual or suspicious, to call (973) 762-3400 or 911 in case of emergency."

Acting Maplewood Police Chief Albert Sally, Mayor Dean Dafis, and Det. Lt. Michael Palmerezzi had sent a message Thursday saying, in part, "We stand with our Jewish friends and neighbors, call out antisemitism everywhere as abhorrent, and will do whatever we can to protect our houses of worship in SOMA."

The full message said:

"In response to the FBI receiving credible information of a broad threat to synagogues in New Jersey, the Maplewood Police Department, in coordination with the South Orange Police Department, will be taking proactive measures. We are coordinating operational and tactical responses to ensure the safety of all of our synagogues and of our Jewish friends and neighbors. We have increased patrols around synagogues in our townships and are coordinating with our state and federal counterparts in order to ensure protection for everyone we serve.

"We stand with our Jewish friends and neighbors, call out Antisemitism everywhere as abhorrent, and will do whatever we can to protect our houses of worship in SOMA. While we understand that this is a stressful time, we ask that you please remain calm.

The Maplewood Police Department would like to remind all residents, if they see anything unusual or suspicious, to call (973)762-3400 or 911 in case of emergency."

The FBI's Newark Office had posted a warning shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday.

It said: "The FBI has received credible information of a broad threat to synagogues in NJ. We ask at this time that you take all security precautions to protect your community and facility. We will share more information as soon as we can. Stay alert. In case of emergency call police."

They added, "We are taking a proactive measure with this warning while investigative processes are carried out."