Please Be Aware

Four Jewish Pittsburgh organizations and at least ten Philadelphia Jewish organizations received hoax bomb threats yesterday, Dec 14th via email. The language was largely the same, as was the sender’s email address.  The threat noted that the explosives would not go off if $50k was paid to an address provided in PA.  This is part of a series of hoax bomb threats targeting Jewish organizations across the country.  Law enforcement is investigating. YTD there have been over 250 hoax bomb and/or swatting incidents targeting the US Jewish community.

FBI Los Angeles with support from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, arrested a 14-year-old juvenile in California for his role in executing a nationwide swatting threat campaign targeting synagogues across the US in July-August 2023. Read more at Secure Community Network Applauds The Arrest Of California Juvenile Responsible For Synagogue Swatting Threats (securecommunitynetwork.org)

Incidents of antisemitic graffiti are continuing to increase. We are working with law enforcement on this matter. Please report this graffiti to 911 and provide as many details as you can, then notify us via the Incident Report Form, below.

In Pittsburgh, YTD the Jewish Federation has logged 285 incidents in our Virtual Command Center, this compares to 122 incidents for the entire year of 2022. We remain in a heightened threat environment and are working closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity. There are no known or direct threats related to our Pittsburgh Jewish community. Continue to be vigilant; report suspicious behavior to 911 and then the Jewish Federation via the Incident Report.

Security Matters in the News This Week

• Local rabbi/mohel brings holiday lights to the desert (jewishchronicle.com)
• Video Swatting crisis prompts more action by authorities, nonprofits (abcnews.go.com)
• Hawaii synagogues received email saying explosive were planted on their properties (kitv.com)
• Security funding at CT faith-based organizations a ‘massive need’ (ctinsider.com)

BluePoint Status

As we are back-to-school, please review your current contact lists in BluePoint. If changes are needed, please contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org.

Our BluePoint training video and refresher video are available on YouTube. These are useful for new staff or as a reminder for existing staff.

Security Resources and/or Training

De-Escalation Training

Please contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252 to schedule this training.

Situational Awareness, Active Threat, and Usher/Greeter Training

If you or your organization have not yet had these training modules, please contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252. All can be made available in person or via Zoom.

If you need more Emergency Safety Procedures Flip Charts contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252.