Please Be Aware
We continue to track domestic and international acts of antisemitism. This past week we saw the targeted arson of a synagogue in Melbourne, Australia. Investigators deemed this to be an antisemitic attack and is one of many incidents that make up the “fourfold increase in antisemitic attacks since Oct 7, 2023,” in Australia. Please see below article for more information.
The FBI Pittsburgh Division has created a program to help emphasizing the importance of protecting children online. The program is called Online Safety Starts With You. The video highlights the dangers of online predators and stresses the importance of being proactive in educating ourselves and our children about the risks they may face in the digital world. More resources on this topic can be found at Community Outreach — FBI.
Year to date 2024, the Jewish Federation has logged 273 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 265 year to date 2023. We remain in a heightened threat environment and are working closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity. Please continue to report any suspicious incidents via the Incident Report Form.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Defendants accused of painting antisemitic graffiti at Chabad of Squirrel Hill, Federation, plead not guilty (jewishchronicle.com)
- Melbourne, Australia, synagogue set ablaze, forcing congregants to flee (jewishchronicle.com)
- Bari Weiss: The Old World Is Not Coming Back (thefp.com)
- Vandals paint swastikas, hate speech on Jewish family’s home in west Charlotte (wcnc.com)
BluePoint Status
Next week, we will begin installation of BluePoint at Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. We now have 22 of our organizations online with BluePoint.
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
Navigating Digital Threats: Strategies to Prevent Online Child Exploitation
Ahead of the next school year, please join the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse for a virtual training on preventing and responding to online child exploitation in K-12 communities. This session will feature a panel discussion with experts from the U.S. Department of Justice and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, who will share valuable tools and resources to combat online child exploitation and educate teachers, students and families.
Guardian Training
Please contact Erin Fagan at [email protected] 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 [email protected] or 412-992-5252. All can be made available in person or via Zoom.
Request Training for Your Organization →
If you need Go Bags, Emergency Safety Procedures Flip Charts or medical supplies contact Erin Fagan at [email protected] or 412-992-5252.
