HAVE A HAPPY & HEALTHY PASSOVER!
Please Be Aware
For the upcoming Passover holiday we are not aware of any actionable threats targeting Jewish institutions, however, these holidays remain an attractive target for violent extremists. Leadership and security personnel are encouraged to remain situationally aware and to proactively implement facility and security best practices that effectively address different areas of vulnerability and methods of attack. As a reminder, Easter is April 9th and Ramadan runs March 22-April 20th; these religious organizations may also be targeted.
On April 4, 2023, Jewish organizations nationwide, including a synagogue, federation, and one additional Jewish non-profit organization, received suspicious phone calls from a subject claiming to be affiliated with the “American Goyim Association” or “American Goyim Society.” During one of the calls, the subject identified themselves as “Jefferson Maxwell.” In each instance, the caller requested to set up an appointment for an annual “infiltration inspection” in an effort to “clear the building of Jewish influence.” If you receive one of these calls, alert 911 immediately and then notify us.
A 15-year juvenile was arrested in Ohio last week by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office for making a terroristic threat against a synagogue in upstate New York on March 28th. This arrest was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the FBI, NY State Police, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Town of DeWitt Police Department, Jewish Federation of Central New York, and the SCN. On March 28th, SCN’s Jewish Security Operations Command Center (JSOCC) received information regarding a threat of violence that was made on the messaging service Telegram. The threat referenced the address of a Jewish house of worship in Upstate New York.
Several of our organizations received the Spring PCCD Security Grant, a list of recipients will be public on April 17, but awardees should have received an email from the state.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- What is ‘swatting’? Why is it done and how should students, staff and parents respond to ‘swatting’ incidents at schools? (berkshireeagle.com →)
- Man arrested for trespassing at HCRJ (jhvonline.com →)
- ‘Unacceptable and morally reprehensible’: Vanderbilt community reacts to antisemitic and homophobic vandalism at Blair School of Music (vanderbuilthustler.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.
