THREATS DO NOT APPEAR CREDIBLE; ADL CLOSELY MONITORING SITUATION AND IN TOUCH WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT

New York, NY, January 18, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has issued a Security Advisory to Jewish institutions nationwide following a series of bomb threats to Jewish community centers in at least 16 states. ADL is closely monitoring the situation and has been in touch with federal and local law enforcement across the country.

Although the threats do not appear to be credible, the League is urging all communal institutions to take these threats extremely seriously. Some Community Centers have been evacuated out of an abundance of caution.

ADL received reports today of bomb threats at Jewish Community Centers in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Delaware, Connecticut, Alabama, California, Maine, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri and Texas.

“Although so far these threats do not appear to be credible, we are recommending that Jewish communal institutions review their security procedures and remain in close contact with law enforcement,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “While each incident needs to be taken seriously and investigated closely, thus far we are not aware of any of these threats being substantiated.”

He added, “Federal authorities and local police departments should be commended for their rapid response to these incidents. We remain in close contact with law enforcement and are offering our support and resources to local Community Centers.”

In response to the threats, ADL issued a Security Advisory for all Jewish institutions nationwide that included the following action steps:

• 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.

ADL also issued an additional Security Advisory detailing reports from several companies and business around the country which have anti-Semitic faxes in recent days.  That alert reminded all institutions of the importance of protecting their computer networks and systems.