Please Be Aware
Talya Lubit, a co-defendant in the targeted graffiti case from the July 29, 2024, defacement at the Jewish Federation and Chabad of Squirrel Hill pled guilty May 15, 2025 in federal court to one count of a Hate Crime and one count of Conspiracy. As part of the plea, she will be ordered to pay restitution in the amount of approximately $11,000 to cover the damages to both signs. The case against her two co-defendants is ongoing, Mohamad Hamad and Micaiah Collins. Both were recently charged via a Superseding Indictment with conspiracy to build and detonate bombs, among other charges.
So far in 2025, we have logged 111 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 122 for 2024. We continue to collaborate 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
- Rioter sentenced for burning US flag, vandalism in pro-Hamas rally in DC (jns.org)
- CMU graduation marred by anti-Zionist, anti-Hindu messaging on the Fence (jewishchronicle.com)
- Woman pleads guilty to vandalizing Jewish buildings in Pittsburgh (post-gazette.com)
BluePoint Status
BluePoint installation at Riverview is now complete. Charles Morris and Yeshiva Boys materials have been received and are awaiting installation schedules. BluePoint has now been installed in 31 of the 33 locations. Police boxes have been installed at 18 of our organizations, with 10 more locations to follow.
Security Resources and/or Training
High Holiday Readiness: Practical Steps for Communities and Campuses
Tuesday, August 11 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDTIs 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
Thursday, August 13 @ 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EDTPittsburgh, 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.
Tuesday, August 18 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDTGuardians 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.
Tuesday, August 18 @ 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM EDTGuardians 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
Tuesday, August 25 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDTThis 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
Tuesday, September 1 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDTThe 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
Tuesday, September 1 @ 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM EDTThe 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
Thursday, September 3 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDTIs 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...
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.