Shawn Brokos

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.

Now that the state budget has been approved, we are optimistic that applications for The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) Nonprofit Security Grant will be available shortly. In past years, applicants had four-six weeks to complete the application.

Now that the state budget has been approved, we are optimistic that applications for The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) Nonprofit Security Grant will be available shortly. In past years, applicants had four-six weeks to complete the application. If you are interested in applying and need assistance, please let us know.

Mohammad Hamad, one of individuals arrested for Hate Crimes relative to the threatening graffiti on Chabad of Squirrel Hill and Jewish Federation’s office is seeking to be released from custody pending trial. His defense attorney filed the motion and the government is responding. We will keep you posted as this unfolds.

Election Day in Pennsylvania is next Tuesday, November 4. Numerous local elections, including the Pittsburgh Mayoral and statewide Pennsylvania Supreme Court elections, will take place across the region. Please remain vigilant and situationally aware.

The NCTC, FBI and DHS just released the 2025 edition of the U.S. Violent Extremist Mobilization Indicators booklet. It’s an excellent, concise guide outlining behavioral warning signs across three stages of radicalization—mobilization, preparation and motivation, outlining things that we should all be on the lookout for regardless of ideology.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, in partnership with Secure Community Network (SCN) announced the launch of our Embedded Analyst Program (EAP) to serve the Pittsburgh area and surrounding region. This initiative provides for a full-time Intelligence Analyst to be embedded with our Security Team at the Federation.

The Rabbi in the Yom Kippur attack in Manchester, UK did exactly what we train to do in our Run, Hide, Fight model by barricading the congregants and keeping them safe.

A report published by the Combat Antisemitism Movement has recorded 694 antisemitic incidents worldwide in August 2025. The United States had the highest amount with 162 incidents followed by Greece, the United Kingdom, Canada then France. This report only captures incidents formally reported to authorities.

For awareness, there will be a pro-Palestinian protest in Schenley Plaza on Saturday, September 20, at 6:30 PM. According to information on social media, the theme for this protest is “When Palestine Calls, Pittsburgh Answers.” We will continue to monitor with law enforcement for any security concerns.

Talya A. Lubit, a co-defendant in the antisemitic and targeted graffiti incident at Chabad of Squirrel Hill and Jewish Federation on July 29, 2024, was sentenced to five years of probation on Wednesday in federal court. She had previously plead to one count of conspiracy and one count of defacing a religious institution.

On Aug 28, a federal judge ruled that the University of Pittsburgh must immediately reinstate the local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). SJP has a long history of anti-Zionist and anti-Israel protests and rallies, including taking part in a June 2024 encampment on university property that jeopardized the safety of students and law enforcement.

There has been a lot of information on the news and social media relative to what was written in the gunman’s journals as well as on the gunman’s firearms in the tragic Catholic school shooting in Minneapolis on Aug 27th that left two children dead and 17 people injured. Details continue to emerge, but we know that the writings include multiple antisemitic messages, names of and references to previous mass shooters to include the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter, and “Destroy HIAS.”

Defendant Thomas Hill appeared in Pittsburgh municipal court on Wednesday to answer to a summons for disorderly conduct, harassment and ethnic intimidation related to his alleged conduct of yelling “Death to the Jews” and “Fuck Israel” in and around Squirrel Hill. The Judge ordered a 90-day continuance pending a psychological evaluation. For awareness, Hill is described as a 65 year old male with long white hair and a long white beard, wearing glasses and driving a Tan Chevrolet Malibu, PA tag KCN 1086.

The JCC Maccabi Pittsburgh games were an incredible success as approximately 2,000 athletes from across the world all safely arrived, competed and departed last week. We are grateful for the ongoing support of the 20+ law enforcement agencies who supported us throughout this significant and very meaningful event.  

This Sunday will mark the start of the Pittsburgh Maccabi Games. We are thrilled to welcome our athletes and guests and have been actively planning for security for the past six months. We ask that any spectators or guests with security concerns during this event report to us immediately using the Incident Report Form.

Squirrel Hill resident Thomas Hill has been charged with Harassment, Ethnic Intimidation and Disorderly Conduct for yelling F* Israel and antisemitic rhetoric from a tan Chevrolet sedan on and off since March 2025 in Squirrel Hill. His court date is August 20, 2025.