Please Be Aware
On August 5, 2026, Eric Holman, a 26-year-old from Erie was arrested in Erie by the FBI for sending online antisemitic threats targeting Jews and encouraging armed violence at a synagogue. Read the full article at Erie Man Facing Federal Charges for Antisemitic Threats Made Online (erienewsnow.com).
On August 6, 2026, Ali Alkhaleel, a 19-year-old from Pittsburgh, plead guilty in federal court to obstruction and conspiracy to obstruct justice related to the Sept 27, 2024, assault of a Pitt Student for wearing a Star of David necklace. Alkhaleel was one of six involved, and his plea was related to his attempts to help cover up the hate crime afterwards. Read the full article at Man pleads guilty to obstruction, conspiracy in attack on Jewish Pitt student (triblive.com)
Secure Community Network (SCN) will be hosting High Holiday Readiness: Practical Steps for Communities and Campuses, the second installment of their High Holiday Webinar Series, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. For more information and to register go to High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series – Secure Community Network.
REMINDER: In preparation State Security Grant submissions due Sept 10, 2026, we are hosting a Security Grant Writing Workshop on August 13, 2026, from 6p-7:30p at our office. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) Nonprofit Security Grant workshop will include best practices on how to secure funding for your non-profit organization. For more information and to register, visit jewishpgh.org/event/pccd-grant.
So far in 2026 we have logged 172 incidents in our Virtual Command Center which is in comparison to 190 at this time last year. Please continue to report any suspicious incidents via the Incident Report Form.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- ‘I hate them’: Woman accused of attacking Jewish man in North Miami Beach Target (local10.com)
- Upper West Side stabbings: Raul Morales indicted over attack of Asian, Jewish victims (abc7ny.com)
- AI Cameras, Bulletproof Windows: How Michigan’s Temple Israel Is Rebuilding (haaretz.com)
BluePoint Status
BluePoint is now live in all 36 locations!
