Security

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.

Pittsburgh Police filed Harassment, Ethnic Intimidation, and Disorderly Conduct charges against the male actor who has been yelling F* Israel and antisemitic rhetoric from a tan Chevrolet sedan on/off since March 2025 in Squirrel Hill.

Within the last two weeks there have been three separate incidents reported regarding males that appear to be of Middle Eastern or Hispanic ethnicity who are engaging in suspicious activity near churches in Beaver County, one of them claiming to be from Israel. These incidents stem from driving slowly with phones up possibly taking pictures to leaving an electric bicycle battery in one of the pews.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a National Terrorism Advisory Bulletin dated June 22, 2025, regarding the threat to the United States (US) due to the Iran conflict. Because the US is in a heightened threat environment, low-level cyberattacks are likely against US Networks. Further, multiple recent Homeland terrorist attacks have been motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment, and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could contribute to US-based individuals plotting additional attacks.

While there is no known specific threat directed at the Pittsburgh Jewish community, the conflict between Iran and Israel has risen to a point that the potential for Iranian-directed attacks in the U.S. must be considered and security measures reviewed. We are in close communication with Intelligence Community partners, local, state and federal law enforcement, as well as the Jewish communal security network.

Last evening, the Israeli Defense Forces began a targeted strike against Iranian assets with the stated goal of striking Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military targets. The operation is ongoing. We are closely monitoring intelligence related to Israel and Iran and will send out the necessary alerts if we learn of any concerns or threats related to Jewish Pittsburgh.

On Wednesday evening, June 4, occupants in a tan Chevy Malibu were yelling antisemitic slurs at pedestrians in the area of Murray Ave at approximately 9:15 PM. If you have any information on this vehicle or occupants, please report it to 911 and file an Incident Report using the Incident Report Form.

The driver of the vehicle, a tan Dodge Durango, used to distribute over 110 antisemitic and racist flyers throughout Squirrel Hill and Peters Township on Sunday evening, May 18, 2025, has been cited for littering.  He faces over 100 counts (per bag thrown and recovered) and a fine of close to $50k. Thank you to our community members who swiftly reported this to Federation via our Incident Report Form and included photos of the suspect vehicle.

On May 5, 2025, more than 30 anti-Israel protesters at the University of Washington were arrested for trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct and conspiracy. Before the incident, the group that led this effort, Students United for Palestinian Equality & Return (SUPER), posted a link to its manifesto on Instagram.

Federal defendant Mohamad Hamad, charged in a superseding indictment for conspiracy to build and detonate a destructive device along with co-defendant Macaiah Collins, has been detained by a federal judge and will remain in custody according to a May 1, 2025, detention hearing. Hamad, a self-proclaimed Hamas operative, allegedly conspired with co-defendant Tayla Lubit to graffiti targeted, antisemitic messages at Chabad of Squirrel Hill and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

The Jewish Federation’s Security Team is excited to invite you to our two upcoming events: Monday, April 28 @ 6 PM: Online Safety & Digital Responsibility with Felicia Trovato, Community Outreach Specialist, FBI Pittsburgh. Wednesday, April 30 @ 11:30 AM: Emergency Preparedness Webinar.

A federal judge denied defendant Mohammad Hamad’s request that his current home detention be lifted in United States v. Hamad, Lubit (the July 29, 2024, graffiti attack at Federation and Chabad of Squirrel Hill). The government revealed it uncovered additional evidence post-arrest that indicates Hamad is both a danger to the community and a flight risk.

After several months of planning, the University of Pittsburgh has formed a working group to help combat Antisemitism and make campus safe and inclusive.