Please Be Aware
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.
Secure Community Network has reported that in a six-day period following the war in Iran, there was an over 100% increase in threats, both calls to violence and seeing people willing to answer that call. See the below article for more on this.
We are pleased to announce that the Pittsburgh Jewish Community and our partnering faith-based community did very well in this round of the 2026 PCCD State Security Grants. Thirty (30) Jewish organizations across the Pittsburgh region have been awarded a combined $1,728,440 to enhance target-hardening capabilities. See the below article.
Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (FB-ISAO) issued a special statement detailing a heightened threat environment following strikes on Iran for all faith-based leaders. See statement here FAITH-BASED ISAOSPECIAL STATEMENT:HEIGHTENED THREAT ENVIRONMENT FOLLOWING U.S.-ISRAELI STRIKES
ON IRAN.
On March 7, 2026, during a protest called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer”, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi were seen allegedly attempting to detonate two explosive devices in the vicinity of Gracie Mansion and acting in support of ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Balat and Kayumi have been charged with 5 separate charges each that include material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices. More information is here Office of Public Affairs | Two ISIS Supporters Charged with Attempting to Detonate Explosive Devices During Protests Outside Gracie Mansion | United States Department of Justice.
So far in 2026 we have logged 54 incidents in our Virtual Command Center which is in comparison to 56 at this time last year. Please continue to report any suspicious incidents via the Incident Report Form.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Pittsburgh Jewish organizations awarded more than $1.7 million security grants (jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com)
- Threats against Americans, especially Jews, skyrocketing since beginning of war in Iran, Secure Community Network says (abc7chicago.com)
- Teaneck bias attack: 17-year-old boy accused of shooting Jewish man with pellet gun over stance on Israeli-Palestinian conflict (abc7ny.com)
- Caught on video: SJPD investigating possible hate crime after 2 Jewish men attacked at Santana Row in San Jose (abc7news.com)
BluePoint Status
BluePoint is now live in 34 of the 36 locations. Police boxes have been installed at 29 of our organizations, enabling law enforcement to have immediate access in an emergency.
Security Resources and/or Training
High Holiday Readiness: Practical Steps for Communities and Campuses
Is your community ready for the High Holidays? Securing Our Space offers practical guidance to strengthen both physical security and personal preparedness. Learn how to implement layered security measures, keep your emergency supplies accessible, and empower your community to respond confidently and effectively during an incident. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) ...
PCCD Grant Workshop
Pittsburgh, PA 15219 United States + Google Map
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Security team invites nonprofits and faith communities to a workshop on applying for the FY27 the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) Nonprofit Security Grant Fund. This grant supports organizations serving individuals at risk of hate crimes. We’ll cover grant guidelines, security assessments, threat documentation, budgeting, narrative writing and implementation.
Guardian: Identify. Protect. Respond.
Guardians take personal responsibility for the safety and security of themselves, their families and their communities. Learn the skillsets that help you identify, protect and respond to all hazards and become an Active Bystander in your community. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series, de...
Guardian: Identify. Protect. Respond.
Guardians take personal responsibility for the safety and security of themselves, their families and their communities. Learn the skillsets that help you identify, protect and respond to all hazards and become an Active Bystander in your community. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series, de...
Welcoming, Inclusive & Prepared
This session addresses critical emergency preparedness considerations for all congregants, with a focus on elderly attendees, individuals with mobility challenges, families with children, neurodiverse members and caregivers. The program features experts who implemented a practical, inclusive model, offering lessons and best practices for easy adoption in your own community. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and p...
Power of Hello Training
The Power of Hello training equips you with the knowledge and skills to observe and evaluate suspicious behaviors. It empowers you to mitigate potential risk by knowing when to seek additional help. When used effectively, the right words can be a powerful tool. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webin...
Power of Hello Training
The Power of Hello training equips you with the knowledge and skills to observe and evaluate suspicious behaviors. It empowers you to mitigate potential risk by knowing when to seek additional help. When used effectively, the right words can be a powerful tool. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webin...
Ensuring Readiness, Security and Empowerment for the High Holidays
Is your community ready for the High Holidays? Securing Our Space offers practical guidance to strengthen both physical security and personal preparedness. Learn how to implement layered security measures, keep your emergency supplies accessible and empower your community to respond confidently and effectively during an incident. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) i...
In the event of an emergency, please be aware that we have adopted the Standard Response Protocol to best communicate across communities and emergency response teams.
Request Training for Your Organization →
If you need Go Bags, Emergency Safety Procedures Flip Charts or medical supplies contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252.
