New York, NY, February 20, 2017.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is deeply disturbed by additional bomb threats directed against Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) in multiple states across the United States today – the fourth series of such threats since the start of the year.

While ADL does not have any information at this time to indicate the presence of any actual bombs at any of the institutions threatened, the threats themselves are alarming, disruptive, and must always been taken seriously.

“We are confident that JCCs around the country are taking the necessary security protections, and that law enforcement officials are making their investigation of these threats a high priority,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “We look to our political leaders at all levels to speak out against such threats directed against Jewish institutions, to make it clear that such actions are unacceptable, and to pledge that they will work with law enforcement officials to ensure that those responsible will be apprehended and punished to the full extent of the law.”

In response to the threats, ADL issued a Security Advisory for all Jewish institutions nationwide with action steps including:

• Review the Bomb Threat Guidance provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
• Refer to the chapter on Explosive Threat Response Planning in ADL’s Security Manual Protecting Your Jewish Institution, which assists Jewish institutions in creating welcoming environments while keeping them safe;

Refer to ADL’s list of 18 Best Practices for Jewish Institutional Security.