Security

Shana Tovah! Wishing you a happy, healthy, sweet New Year. Please be aware we are closely monitoring the attacks by Iran in Israel and potential ramifications.

Social media reports are showing that October 7–11 has been deemed a nationwide “Week of Rage—1 Year of Genocide For For Gaza We Rise” during which students across the country and the world will “rise together for a week of rage to mark a year of genocide in Gaza.” This could impact college and university law enforcement partners and security operations on or near college campuses.

On Friday, Sept. 13, a resident of Squirrel Hill was arrested after trying to enter the Carriage House under the influence of a controlled substance. Please know that this conduct is not at all related to the Jewish community, it is the criminal activity of an isolated individual who is now in custody.

The preliminary hearing for the defendant accused of attacking two Pitt Jewish students last Friday evening on their way to Shabbat services has been postponed due to an ongoing psychological evaluation.

The investigation is ongoing into the attack of two Jewish Pitt students last Friday evening. The defendant has been charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and recklessly endangering another person. Additionally, we are actively monitoring a planned nationwide day of action by the National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), as announced on the National SJP X/Twitter account. The day of action is scheduled for September 12, 2024.

The FBI warned that Iran-based cyber actors continue to exploit US and foreign organizations, targeting sectors across the US to include education, finance, healthcare, local government agencies and defense. Outside of the US, affected countries include Israel, Azerbaijan, and UAE.

Investigation continues to progress positively into the threatening targeted antisemitic graffiti at Chabad of Squirrel Hill, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and two Squirrel Hill residences. Please know that there are no known threats of violence at this time related to this.

This week, the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh, and a coalition of four local rabbis filed a legal challenge to a petition filed last week seeking to place a question on the upcoming ballot to amend the Pittsburgh City Home Rule Charter in response to a recently submitted petition for a referendum on the Pittsburgh City ballot.

We are working closely with our university public safety departments as we anticipate anti-Israel protests with the return of students to local college campuses.

On Monday, Chabad of Squirrel Hill, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and two Squirrel Hill residences were targeted with threatening antisemitic graffiti. Local, state and federal law enforcement are actively investigating. Please know that there are no known threats of violence at this time.

On Tuesday, July 23, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) security grant opened offering a possibility of $10M in grants to secure houses of worship and nonprofits that are vulnerable to hate crimes and terrorist attacks.

As we approach back to school, student safety is paramount. Please consider joining our free Countering Active Threat and Defensive Tactics Training on Thursday, July 25 from 6-9 PM at the JCC in Squirrel Hill led by Dave Wright from Wright’s Gym. This event is geared towards college and/or high school students but is open to all.

Tree of Life Synagogue received an on-line hoax bomb threat on July 2nd. The hoax threat is in line with other hoax threats that we have seen targeting Jewish organizations across the country. FBI and Pittsburgh Police are investigating.

Through state grant funding, we will now be able to install the BluePoint Emergency Alert System in 13 more Jewish locations. The installation will take several months to complete. When finalized, there will be 33 Jewish locations online with BluePoint.

Please be aware of road closures due to the Sunday, June 23 Tree of Life, Inc. groundbreaking ceremony at Shady and Wilkins.

With the uptick in graffiti and antisemitic incidents please consider joining the Jewish Federation’s Virtual Block Watch Program. The program is entirely voluntary and is designed to keep our community safe through collaboration.

The defense team in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial has filed its notice to appeal the conviction and sentence.

With the uptick in graffiti and antisemitic incidents please consider joining the Jewish Federation’s Virtual Block Watch Program, a volunteer network that can be called upon to provide residential or business video surveillance footage to help prevent, deter, and possibly solve crimes.