JCCs’ umbrella group demands that US authorities ‘speak out’ on bomb threats

The Jewish Community Centers Association of North America, the umbrella group of American Jewish JCCs that have faced multiple waves of bomb threats for several weeks, says it is “outraged” by Monday’s latest threats, and calls on US authorities to “speak out forcefully.”

In a statement, David Posner, the group’s director of strategic performance, says “Anti-Semitism of this nature should not and must not be allowed to endure in our communities. The Justice Department, Homeland Security, the FBI, and the White House, alongside Congress and local officials, must speak out — and speak out forcefully — against this scourge of anti-Semitism impacting communities across the country.”

Posner adds: “Actions speak louder than words. Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities.

“We remain grateful to local law enforcement who continue to serve our communities and ensure that our JCCs and schools remain safe and open for business as the vital community institutions they are.”

The statement notes that on Monday alone, bomb threats were called in to Jewish institutions in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.