As dozens of fake bomb threats have caused chaos in Jewish schools and community centers in the United States and abroad, thousands of ordinary parents are taking a stand to continue their kids’ Jewish education.
The first round of bomb threats came on January 9, 2017, when callers phoned 16 Jewish organizations including schools, Jewish Federations and JCC campuses in the South and Northeastern United States. The mostly female callers (some seemed to be recordings) warned of deadly bombs on site. That same day, three Jewish schools in Britain were also closed when callers claimed to have planted bombs in the buildings.
Schools and offices closed and thousands of students were evacuated. As panicked parents dropped everything to pick up their terrified children, police swept the dozens of buildings affected. No actual bombs were found.
Anonymous callers phoned 30 Jewish organizations in 17 states, warning of deadly bombs.
Nine days later, on January 18, 2017, anonymous callers phoned 30 Jewish organizations in 17 states, warning of deadly bombs. Seth Katzen, Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Delaware, which was threatened with bomb on both days, called the hoaxes “telephone terrorism” in an Aish.com interview.
“We are doing the best we can based on the new reality,” he explains, noting that the ADL has warned about an increase in anti-Semitism in the United States in recent months. The Siegel JCC Delaware staff is doing their best to keep classes for preschoolers, children, teens, adults and seniors going smoothly despite the disruptions.
One mom who raced to her child’s Jewish school on the Sabines JCC campus in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, described what the evacuation looked like there: “The scene was a little chaotic… eighth graders carried barefoot preschool children through the snow as they left their school,” she recalled to reporters.
Police tape at the JCC in Nashville, Tennessee after the community center received a bomb threat.
In Birmingham, Alabama, the Levite JCC received a bomb threat mid-morning, the busiest time of day when 850 people were on campus. Within minutes, students and staff were being evacuated. Betzy Lynch, Executive Director of the JCC, told Aish.com, “This is designed to incite fear and disruption. I’m sure that people are afraid… that’s what this is designed to do.” She notes that not a single parent withdrew their children from the school.
That experience has been repeated in JCCs across the country, spreading fear and uncertainty.
Despite the bomb threats targeting their children, parents at JCC schools across the country made the decision to keep their children in the Jewish schools. Phillipa Miller’s sons, aged 2 and 3, attend a JCC preschool that was threatened with bombs twice. “Every morning since the threats, my husband and I are debating whether or now we should just take them out of school. But I don’t want my kids to be fearful of who they are. I want my kids to be proud of being Jewish. So how can I want my kids to be proud Jews and at the same time hide from being Jewish?”
Phillipa Miller’s husband Jesse wrote, “These are my babies, two and three years old...if there is even the slightest risk of harm to my kids can I risk sending them to this school? If something did happen could I ever forgive myself...for sending my kids to the JCC after multiple bomb threats have been received?
“We won’t allow America to become like a corner of Iran or Nazi Germany where a handful of bad actors rule the day with fear and intimidation”
“The answer to these difficult questions is yes… Not only will I not live in fear and allow these terrorists to succeed in their goals of disrupting our community, I will allow this to be a great lesson to my kids. There is a piece of the world out there which is bad… But we won’t allow America to become like a corner of Iran or Nazi Germany where a handful of bad actors rule the day with fear and intimidation…”
“So yes, I will send my kids to the JCC for school. And I will teach them that sometimes you need to be brave and take risks to stand up to evil. And if the unthinkable does happen, and a day comes that I sob over the bloodied remnants of children, then I will remain happy and know that my kids would have been happy, confident in the peace that comes from having done the right thing.”
“Educating kids and teaching them Jewish values is the only thing that gets us past acts like this,” explains Betzy Lynch of the Birmingham, Alabama JCC. “The only way to deal with darkness is to bring some light and spirituality into the world.”
(9) Dvora, January 28, 2017 7:10 PM
Never let fear dictate to you!
The D.C. Sniper had been scoping Synagogues in Maryland, Washington, Delaware and Virginia. I did a Profile on him after he shot and killed Mr. Bridges from Mt. Airy Pennsylvania. In fact, they insisted I change my Profile, Black Muslim male, 40-45 YOA, long history of violence, wife has a restraining order on him, he is working with a male from the Islands. In Court, after being sentenced to death, John Malvo Mohammad went on a 2 hour rampage about how he hated the Jews and how he was already scoping Synagogues just like I said. The Commissioner said I was the only Profile that was 100% accurate. Malvo was 43 when arrested. His partner, from Jamaica. Sometimes, the Shechinah actually touches ground. No one has the right to make anyone live in terror.
(8) Deborah, January 26, 2017 5:01 PM
Depressing and Sickening
I hope the cowardly anti-Semites are found and sent to prison for life! This is unacceptable!
(7) jim, January 25, 2017 2:48 AM
it is extremely difficult to be born....
right now, today, that is the reality for jews, all jews everywhere...many contractions you know!
(6) Eliyahu, January 23, 2017 9:26 PM
Part II -- Beyond pride and defense, unity
If not, our own “us vs. them” egoism of Left, Right, Secular, and Religious will not-so fun-house mirror in “us vs. them” egoistic unity of global fascism with its only politically correct language of propaganda claiming true unity: Communism, National Socialism, Neo-Liberal Capitalism, and Radical Islam—in a collision course towards, G-d help us, WWIII. All these agree on only one thing, growing hatred towards the identifiably Jewish, including the Jewish State.
Per the principle of the Chassidic farbrengen—bring together from far, the altruistic aspects of the soul—by their nature, join together, while the selfish aspects, by theirs, stay separate—and are overwhelmed. Similarly we need not fear those Jews who are confirmed antagonists against their own people. An eruv rav—mixed multitude will never have the power of true unity. Those Jews who faithfully choose, pray for true unity, will overwhelm them. For on that day, He will be One and His name will be One. Per Rashi on last week’s Parsha, “He Shall be What He Shall Be,” for He is Reality—there is no other…
*[Note: As shown to Abraham, when we are united, we are as the stars (in their glorious organization as per Beraakoth 32b—in a constructed fractal ordering upwards), but if not, we are as the sand (or dust).]
(5) Eliyahu, January 23, 2017 9:19 PM
More important than pride or fear -- Part I
I commend the brave parents. My child is at a Jewish school in Los Angeles--though not having received such a threat--still the danger looms and certainly we would not contemplate removing him. However, we must remember that our unity as Jews must above all be L'Shayme Shamayim--for the sake of Heaven, that the Shechina (Divine Presence) arise from the dust*. This is “the (singular) prayer of all mouths.”
Our unity might be rekindled by Lo L’Shma—selfish reasons (in fact, it must be as the elevation stages in a child’s learning, per Rambam). However, if to be permanently effective, it must rise above that of mere organized egoists (even of the best kind), that is, being united merely for common gain (e.g. pride) or common defense (i.e., to prevent another holocaust)—to a true bond of mutually-responsible love. Much is said in our sources about this, perhaps best consolidated in our Shabbat Minch Amidah as: “You are One, and Your name is One, and who is like your people Israel, one nation on the earth.” --Obviously we are not the only nation, so it means a nation of unity, representing His Unity.
There is no place He is not, and we must be able to read his message from both the brightest and darkest corners of the world.
When we received the Torah, we had become “as one man with one heart” (Rashi). We can and must do this again, to be the promised light to the nations so that they too will unite in true universal brotherhood.
(4) Dr C D Goldberg, January 23, 2017 6:40 PM
Standing up and fighting back
Because the Jews for whatever reason were to scared to fight back in the 1930's, which resulted in the Holocaust (Shoah) taking place, that had they the guts and vision to realize the dangers they were facing and did what they could to fight back, the outcome might have been a reduction in the loss of life in WW2.
Jews both in the USA and the rest of the world have to take safety and security seriously and fight back where they can. Furthermore it would be an even greater mitzvah if Jews took employment in the police and prison services and the fire departments and in the various branches of the military as well and also in the ems. It is in these fields that Jews will have their heads to the ground and be fully aware of what is going on the world out there, and be more effective in responding to Anti-Semetic events and in the process Jewish life and the Jewish way of life can be saved and incidences can be minimized as well.
(3) Anonymous, January 23, 2017 6:20 PM
Jews and the 2nd Amendment
Monday, 01/23/17, common era
Jews should exercise their 2nd Amendment rights and stop demonizing the N.R.A.
Deborah, January 26, 2017 5:02 PM
A Year or Two Ago, I Would Have Disagreed with You
But now I agree. Racism and anti-Semitism are back with a vengeance and we are not going without a fight this time!
(2) Sister M. Michele S.C.M.C., January 22, 2017 4:18 PM
Forward without Fear
Fear can make one a coward; it can cripple one's ability to act justly, bravely, and with determination against evil and wrong-doing. We live in times that are demanding from each one us a selflessness and a character that is noble and steadfast. We stand with those who are being threatened or in harm's way. Fear will strengthen us to work all the more against all such threats and attitudes of hatred and ignorance, for we know what to do and will do the right and proper thing even if it causes us great sacrifice. Evil will not triumph. In God's Name we will conquer evil with good.
Thank you.
Sister M. Michele S.C.M.C.
R, January 23, 2017 12:52 PM
It's not brave when it's someone else's life you're risking!
Sister M. Michele S.C.M.C., January 23, 2017 2:44 PM
The task belongs to each of us
It's important to personalize this dedication to fight evil and wrong doing. When one individual or group is targeted, we should all resist the evil and defend the victim, or as history proves, we all could very well be the next victim. There is power in numbers and I truly believe there are more people desiring freedom, goodness, and security for all, than the dark and violent persons and groups who desire destruction.
(1) Timi, January 22, 2017 3:15 PM
How can I help?
I sit here with tears running down my face. Angry, ashamed, and oh so proud. Angry that such hatred fills people's hearts, ashamed that once again a precious people are being targeted for evil and oh so proud of the strength that will not allow bullying . The recognition that indeed HaShem is on His throne and it is He that will have the final say....may you take strength from that reality
May He bless you and keep you.
How can those of us goyim help? Please how can I show support ?
Dvirah, January 23, 2017 8:45 PM
Practical Steps
Organize parents & staff to conduct regular searches of the schools each morning before the children arrive. Also, arrange round-the-clock guarding of the school buildings both electronically and physically by volunteer guards working in shifts. Make sure each volunteer & staff member gets the proper training in what to do if a bomb is found or an intruder is seen entering the building(s). And also make sure to coordinate your efforts with the local police, ensuring prompt action to any alarm.