Shawn Brokos

Check out local road closure that may impact your weekend plans.

Jeremy Brokaw, the Zanesville, Ohio, man accused of distributing over a hundred antisemitic and racist flyers throughout Squirrel Hill last May, did not show up in court this Thursday to address his appeal of the charges. Brokaw and his attorney claim they never got notice of the court appearance. The appeal was dismissed since they did not show, but it has now been reinstated by the Judge, with a new court date on June 3.

The non-profit Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (FB – ISAO) this week issued a bulletin cautioning that overall and physical threat levels remain at SEVERE. This rating is based on the ongoing Iranian war, continued attacks on Houses of Worship (HOW) in Europe, Swatting incidents targeting US HOW this week, the attempted assassination plot of key White House officials to include President Trump and the interdiction of the threat to “kill as many Jews as possible” at Congregation Beth El in Houston.

There is an uptick in fraudulent email incidents impacting Jewish organizations across the country, and they are more elaborate than the typical phishing and spoofing scams. These include producing fake invoices from email addresses that appear to match someone with a known relationship with the victim.

Six individuals were arrested on Monday, March 30, for Federal Hate Crimes and Obstruction of Justice charges pursuant to a physical assault on a Jewish PITT student in Oakland. The student was wearing a Star of David necklace and that is what allegedly prompted the assault. We will continue to update you on the status of this case.

Local police have been notified about Passover services as well as communal Seders; you may see an increased police presence at some of our locations in an abundance of caution. We are actively monitoring the threat environment for the Passover holiday. Please continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to 911 and then to us via the Incident Report Form.

We are continuing to closely monitor the current threat landscape in collaboration with our law enforcement and intelligence partners. While there are no known direct or indirect threats targeting our community, we want to remind everyone to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious, unusual or concerning via 911 and through our Incident Report Form.

On March 11, an individual named Ayman Mohamad Ghazali (41), armed with a rifle intentionally drove his vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The attacker was able to make it through the doors, and down the hall at which point the vehicle caught fire. Ghazali was fatally shot by armed guards. Fortunately, none of the synagogue’s staff, teachers or children were injured and many are crediting the preparedness training that they have done. That preparation saved countless lives. While there are no known threats involving our local Jewish community, you may see an increased police presence at many of our locations in an abundance of caution.

The Security Team at the Jewish Federation is continually monitoring all security related situations and online chatter involving our community. We remain in close communication with law enforcement and relevant security partners.  In light of the ongoing conflict in Iran, the recent hacker driven antisemitic chatter on a police radio channel and the Tucker Carlson conspiracy circulating online targeting Chabad, our law enforcement partners have been fully briefed. You may see increased patrols around our Jewish institutions out of an abundance of caution.

An individual was arrested for Harassment, Disorderly Conduct, Scattering Rubbish and Ethnic Intimidation as made against a Jewish family living in the Mexican War Streets area.

FBI Detroit is currently investigating potential threats related to Passover. These threats were intercepted via social media. As we get closer to Passover, this is an important reminder to be sure to plan and prepare for security.

A 34-year-old man identified as Ivo Stjepovic was arrested last Friday by Pittsburgh Police for ethnic intimidation and criminal mischief for slashing an Israeli flag at a residence in the Mexican War Streets area of Pittsburgh on January 17. The investigation into the man who left antisemitic and threatening flyers at the same home during the early morning hours of February 8 is ongoing.

A 34-year-old man identified as Ivo Stjepovic is facing charges of ethnic intimidation and criminal mischief for slashing an Israeli flag at a residence in the Mexican War Streets area of Pittsburgh on January 17, 2026. Law enforcement is actively looking for him.

The suspect in the car ramming incident at the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters on Wednesday evening in Brooklyn has been named.  Dan Sohail, 36, has been charged with attempted assault, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and aggravated harassment, all as hate crimes, according to New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. The charges are based on the fact that Sohail “attacked the Jewish institution” and knew the site was a synagogue.

Pittsburgh Police are actively investigating an incident that occurred Saturday at approximately 7 PM in the Mexican War Streets (North Side) area of Pittsburgh in which a resident had their Israeli flag desecrated by a male dressed in black wielding a knife. The attack appeared to be targeted. Fortunately, multiple cameras captured the actor and his vehicle. Be aware and report any suspicious activity.

Edward Owens, the individual who made online antisemitic threats directed at a Pittsburgh public official, pled guilty to transmitting an interstate threat and making false statements to a government official in federal court this week. He faces up to 33 months in prison and will remain in custody pending sentencing on April 13.

As we enter a new year we wanted to give a recap of 2025 incidents. 2025 ended with 312 incidents, surpassing 2024’s total of 283 and 2023’s total of 300. These incidents were largely comprised of bomb threats, email threats, social media threats, graffiti, stickering, flyering and verbal threats.

As we gather and heal in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack, please remember to keep up apprised of any events that you may be hosting so we can adequately prepare for security.

Chanukah festivities are set to begin this weekend with a menorah parade on Sunday, December 14. The parade route is from Rodef Shalom parking lot and ends at the Chabad of Squirrel Hill. There are several other events on Sunday and throughout the week. Please remain situationally aware and report any suspicious activity via the Incident Report Form.

We are hosting an online PCCD Security Grant Workshop on Tuesday, December 16 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Learn best practices to secure this grant funding to include budgeting, narrative writing and implementation.