Please Be Aware
Jury selection starts Monday, April 24th for the federal hate crime trial in the 10/27/2018 attack at the Tree of Life building. Please remain vigilant, and report any suspicious or concerning events. We are not aware of any direct or indirect threats impacting our community at this time, but we are monitoring this closely.
For awareness, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut fall on next week’s calendar. In the past, neither holiday has resulted in attacks on US targets. However, both/either could be attractive targets for violent extremists motivated by the symbolic nature of the attack and the exposure brought to their cause (Yom Hazikaron commemorates Israel’s fallen soldiers and Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrates the signing of Israel’s Declaration of Independence in 1948). Extremists may be inspired to act based on the current geopolitical environment in Israel, recent militant and terrorist activity targeting Israel, and/or escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The FBI in Las Vegas did not find enough evidence to charge the individual(s) who carved a swastika on the back of a Jewish teen with special needs. Please see article, below.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Where To Find Support During Ongoing Coverage of the Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre Trial? (pittsburghmagazine.com →)
- Suspect arrested in alleged synagogue bomb hoax in south Forsyth (forsythnews.com →)
- Antisemitic incidents on rise across US, report finds (apnews.com →)
- Swastika Carved on Back of Jewish Teen with Special Needs Near Las Vegas (jewishpress.com →)
BluePoint Status
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
House of Worship Active Shooter/Violent Intruder Response Seminar
Weirton, WV 26062 United States + Google Map
Lead Speaker - Bob Winters, CCP - Protective Security Advisor, Pittsburg DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Second Speaker - Shawn Brokos - Director, Community Security Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
Faith-Based Security & Resilience Learning Series
Keeping your kids safe at schools, daycare centers and summer camps.
NEW: 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.
