New Wave Of Bomb Threats Hits Jewish Community Centers Across U.S.

Jewish community centers in at least 11 states received bomb threats on Monday, echoing similar waves of threats on Jan. 9 and Jan. 18.

The threats came after hundreds of headstones were overturned at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia over the weekend. According to a report by WPVI, more than 500 headstones were damaged in what police called an act of vandalism, though they did not attribute a specific cause.

NBC News confirms there has been another wave of bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers and schools across the country pic.twitter.com/TqBNbOGOnl

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 27, 2017

The Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey in Cherry Hill tweeted on Monday morning that it was “safely evacuated” and that police were at the scene.

The Federation had been safely evacuated. Cherry Hill Twp police have arrived. We will update you with more information as soon as possible.

— Jewish Fed South NJ (@JFedSNJ) February 27, 2017

Police also investigated a threat at the Katz Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill, according to a report by local NBC station WCAU.

The JCC has been safely evacuated. Cherry Hill Twp police have arrived. We will update you with more information as soon as possible.

— Katz JCC Cherry Hill (@KatzJCC) February 27, 2017

The Siegel Jewish Community Center in Wilmington, Delaware, was also evacuated Monday morning, New Castle County Police told WCAU.

The York Jewish Community Center in Pennsylvania tweeted that it was closed due to “an emergency situation.”

Due to an emergency situation, the JCC is closed. Further information will follow.

— York JCC (@JCCYork) February 27, 2017

Officials said that staff and students at a Jewish community center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were evacuated due to a bomb threat, according to a report by local CBS station KYW-TV.

The Jewish Community Center of Indianapolis tweeted that it was closed after receiving a bomb threat Monday. In a later post, the center wrote the threat “was found to be a hoax” by law enforcement.

The JCC is currently closed. We received a bomb threat. All members are secure. We will have an… https://t.co/Ryd1H0H5HM

— JCC Indianapolis (@JCCIndianapolis) February 27, 2017

The JCC Indianapolis received a bomb threat that was found to be a hoax. No one was injured. Law… https://t.co/KfBOCwwd0v

— JCC Indianapolis (@JCCIndianapolis) February 27, 2017

Police investigated a bomb threat phoned into the Asheville Jewish Community Center in North Carolina, according to a report by WSPA and the Associated press.

Threats were also called into Jewish organizations in Baltimore and Rockville, Maryland.

The Anti-Defamation League tweeted that it confirmed a threat was made to a Jewish day school in Fairfax, Virginia.

CONFIRMED #bombthreats: Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, VA evacuated and given all clear.

— ADL (@ADL_National) February 27, 2017

Staff and students evacuated the David Posnack Jewish Day School in Davie, Florida, according to a report by local CBS station WFOR-TV.

The Jewish Community Center of Staten Island also received a bomb threat on Monday, according to WABC. New York police searched the building and found no bomb.

Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham, Alabama, received its third threat this year, according to a report by AL.com. Betzy Lynch, the center’s executive director, said that officials did not find any suspicious devices.

Ann Arbor police said they were investigating at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor on Monday after a staffer reported a bomb threat. Students were allowed back into the building shortly before noon, according to a report by Mlive.com.

“It is time for action,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted.

We at @ADL_National are engaged w law enforcemt, dealing w new bomb threats today targeting #Jewish ctrs & schools. It is time for action. https://t.co/4K6stDKz6P

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) February 27, 2017