JCC Threats: Milwaukee-Area Center Among 6 Targeted in Latest Wave

WHITEFISH BAY, WI — The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center in Whitefish Bay was among six targeted by threats on Sunday, according to the JCC Association of North America.

Mark Shapiro, the president and CEO of the center, said in an email to the family that the JCC reopened at noon, about two hours after receiving the threat, after a “safe and comprehensive sweep” of the facilities.
This is the fourth time in recent weeks that the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center has closed due to threats. The last time was on March 7.

In an interview on the WISN-TV talk show, “Upfront With Mike Gousha” that aired Sunday, but was taped prior to the latest incident, Mark Shapiro, the president and CEO of the center, said that some members are attending less often due to the threats, but others have increased their attendance in a show of support.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that a bipartisan coalition of Wisconsin lawmakers have visited the JCC to condemn the threats, and that Village of Whitefish Bay officials approved a resolution supporting the center.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has already ordered state police to coordinate with local and federal law enforcement to investigate the bomb threat called in to the JCC in Rochester.

"Like all New Yorkers, I am profoundly disturbed and disgusted by the continued threats against the Jewish community in New York," Cuomo said in a statement.

The all-clear was given to the JCC in Indianapolis after nothing suspicious was found following the bomb threat, police said. The center in Indianapolis had previously received a threat on Feb. 27. The JCC in Rochester also received a threat on March 7.

According to the JCC Association, centers in Houston and Chicago also received threats. Another JCC, in Vancouver, Canada, also received a threat. The JCC in Houston previously received a threat Feb. 20.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer called the threat to the JCC in Rochester "despicable," in a tweet. In a follow-up post, he said those calling in threats to the JCC in Rochester and across the country must be brought to justice.

The pattern of threats being called in to Jewish community centers and day schools has prompted pleas to law enforcement to investigate. More than a 100 threats have been called into Jewish institutions since January.

On Wednesday, all 100 U.S. senators signed on to a bipartisan plea urging federal law enforcement officials to take action and said that they be informed of further actions the officials plan to take to address security.
JCC leaders also wrote a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions urging immediate action to advance the investigation into the JCC threats.

“We are frustrated with the progress in resolving this situation,” the letter read in part. “We insist that all relevant federal agencies, including your own, apply all the resources available to identify and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators, who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in communities across the country, to justice.”

Sunday's threats came on the same weekend that the Jewish community celebrates the festival of Purim.

So far, authorities have arrested a Missouri man who they connected to at least eight of the threats. The man, Juan Thompson, a disgraced former journalist was making the threats to harass and intimidate an ex-girlfriend, federal authorities alleged. The charge was brought against Thompson by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, whose lead prosecutor, Preet Bharara, was fired Saturday by the Department of Justice after he refused to submit his resignation when asked.

Written by Feroze Dhanoa (Patch National Staff) with additional reporting by Beth Dalbey (Patch Staff)

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