Please Be Aware
Several Jewish organizations throughout Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, were targeted with hoax bomb threats this week. Law enforcement is investigating. Please see below article for more information.
April 15 has been designated a Strike for Gaza Day which will include a 21-city Coordinated Economic Blockade to Free Palestine. This effort is calling for the disruption of businesses, “no work, no school, no spending.” This is being held on April 15, Tax Day, to symbolize that tax dollars being collected this tax season are used to support genocide in Gaza. Pittsburgh is not one of the cities named in this event, but Philadelphia is.
The Jewish Federation has launched a 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. The program is entirely voluntary and is designed to keep our community safe through collaborative efforts. We are starting this program in Squirrel Hill and will look to expand it from there. For more information, please visit our Virtual Block Watch page.
Year to date in 2024, the Jewish Federation has logged 86 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 29 for the same time period in 2023. We remain in a heightened threat environment and are working closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Bomb-sniffing dogs called to synagogue after hoax threat emailed to Pennsylvania Jewish organizations – CBS Philadelphia (cbsnews.com)
- Jewish students at Rutgers speak out in wake of latest anti-Israel incident on campus (foxnews.com)
- Cornell student Patrick Dai pleads guilty to posting violent threats against Jewish students online (nbcnewyork.com)
- Vandals target Waterbury Jewish cemetery, knock 12 gravestones over (nbcconnecticut.com)
BluePoint Status
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
Empowered Citizenship: Understanding Hate Speech and Crimes
Pittsburgh, PA 15217 United States + Google Map
What constitutes a hate crime? What happens in a federal investigation? What is local law enforcement’s role? How does the Jewish Federation collaborate with law enforcement? What can you do to be an informed and safe citizen? These questions and more will be addressed by speakers representing various law enforcement agencies in this community safety forum. Our goal is to help community members recognize their rights, responsibilities, and best practices, while giving everyone a more infor...
The Power of Hello
High Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
The Power of Hello
High Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Stop The Bleed®
High Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Stop The Bleed®
High Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Situational Awareness & Countering Active Threat Training (CATT)
High Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Situational Awareness & Countering Active Threat Training (CATT)
High Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Combating Emerging Threats
High Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
3rd Quarter Faith-Based Security & Resilience Learning Series
The Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security and partners cordially invite you to attend the third quarterly event of our virtual learning series on Monday, September 30, 2024. In this segment of our series, we will be conducting a panel discussion between faith leaders who have been the unfortunate victims of gun violence along with public officials who are experts in the field of public safety. Panelists: Rabbi Hazzan Dr. Jeffrey Myers - Tree of Life Synagogue, Pittsburgh PA Surviving the wors...
Guardian Training
Please contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252 to schedule this training.
Situational Awareness, Active Threat, and De-Escalation 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.
Request Training for Your Organization →
If you need more Emergency Safety Procedures Flip Charts contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252.
