Presidents Day Wave of Threats against JCCs Includes 2 More in New York

Two Jewish Community Centers in Buffalo, New York received bomb threats on Presidents Day, and they were not alone. JCCs also received threats in Albuquerque, Birmingham, Cleveland, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Milwaukee, Nashville, St. Paul and Tampa.

It's the fourth wave of threats against JCCs nationwide since the beginning of 2017 (Jan. 9, Jan. 18, and Jan. 31), the JCC Association of North America reported. The total now stands at 69 incidents at 54 JCCs in 27 states and one Canadian province.

“On Feb. 20, 11 Jewish community centers received called-in bomb threats, which were ultimately determined to be hoaxes," said David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America, in a statement. "Our centers have in place security protocols to ensure the safety of their program participants and facility visitors. All JCCs have now received the all-clear from local law enforcement and resumed regular operations, with a heightened level of security."

In New York, threats have been made to the Sidney Albert Albany JCC, Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, Jewish Community Center of Binghamton (Vestal), Barry & Florence Friedberg JCC (Oceanside, LI), JCC in Manhattan, and both the downtown and suburban campuses of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo. A full list of JCCs that have confirmed receiving bomb threats over the course of the four dates can be found online.

"We are dismayed that JCCs nationwide have been the target of threatening and harassing phone calls over the past several weeks," said Lisa Itzkowitz of the Westchester Jewish Council. "We are confident that JCCs are taking all necessary precautions to ensure calm and safety and we are grateful to law enforcement for using all available means necessary to combat these acts of bias."

The calls have all come through either a person or robocalls phoned to the centers, officials have said. They used voice-disguising technology, Paul Goldenberg, the director of Secure Community Network, the group affiliated with the Jewish Federations of North America that coordinates security for the Jewish community, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Jan. 9.

“While we are relieved that all such threats have proven to be hoaxes and that not a single person was harmed, we are concerned about the anti-Semitism behind these threats, and the repetition of threats intended to interfere with day-to-day life," Posner said. "Local JCCs serve not just the Jewish community, but the entire community. Participants from all different backgrounds come to their local JCCs for activities, Jewish cultural and religious programming, and opportunities to come together as a community.

“We are in regular communication with the FBI, which is investigating these threats, to ensure the FBI has the most updated information. We hope to hear updates from the FBI on progress very soon.

“JCC Association is coordinating updated security trainings for JCC executives and staff, to ensure that our community of professionals across the country is prepared with critical tools, resources and contacts.”

Image:Patrick Lentz via Flickr