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Yesterday’s attack on a synagogue in metro Detroit was deeply alarming to all of us. The period between when an attack first makes the news and when details begin to emerge is especially stressful. Thankfully, we ultimately received reassuring news: the security procedures, physical hardening measures and security professionals all did their jobs.
This is precisely why our Federation is so deeply invested in a strong security apparatus to guide and support our Jewish communal synagogues and organizations.
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.
Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh announced that 30 Jewish organizations across the Pittsburgh region have been awarded a combined $1,728,440 in security grants through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. “Security remains one of the most important ways we protect Jewish life and […]
Our hearts are with the Detroit Jewish community following today’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. We stand with our colleagues at the Jewish Federation of Detroit and offer our support in any way we can. Even before the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has worked to strengthen security […]
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Board of Directors has approved $225,000 in emergency funding to assist Israelis impacted by the recent attacks connected to Operation Roaring Lion. The funds will support the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion Fund. Since the beginning of the war on Saturday, February 28, the Jewish Agency has […]
I was on a national call this week hearing updates about the impact of the war on Israelis. While it’s difficult to say that anything positive emerged from the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, one thing is clear: the more than $900 million in emergency funding invested by our collective Jewish Federation system has helped prepare Israel for this moment.
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.
Community Security team is coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement to help ensure our community’s safety as we prepare to gather for Purim.
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.
This week, I’m handing the keyboard off to Kim Salzman, Director, Israel and Overseas. Kim writes:
Some of you may know that Pittsburgh’s relationship with Karmiel and Misgav, located in northern Israel, has been flourishing for more than 30 years through Partnership2Gether (formerly Partnership2000 or P2K). Others may know that in 2018, Warsaw joined this partnership, making it one of the first three-way Partnership2Gether relationships in the world. But many may still ask: What is Partnership2Gether, really?
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.
We are thrilled to announce the nine incredible leaders selected for this groundbreaking experience:
Rebecca Knoll • Mara Leff Koperwas • Marjorie Manne • Rebecca Pollack • Andrea Ruttenberg • Claire Topal • Yana Warshafsky • Randi Weinstein • Lisa Zeidner Marcus
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh stands with the Jewish community in Jackson, Mississippi following the devastating fire at Beth Israel Congregation. An attack on a synagogue is an attack on Jewish life itself. We condemn antisemitism and hate in all its forms and hold the Jackson community in our hearts as they begin the […]
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.