Jewish Facilities Targeted by Bomb Threats Over Shabbos

NYC (VINnews) — Multiple Jewish centers in New York City were targeted by bomb threats on Shabbos, according to the NYPD and Governor Hochul.

There were at least four bomb threats in Manhattan, according to police, including at Rodeph Sholom on the Upper East Side. Another bomb threat was reported at a Brooklyn Heights Jewish facility on Remsen Street.

In addition, police say an email was sent to the Brooklyn Museum, threatening to blow up the Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum subway station.

Police say all of the threatened locations received emails stating that explosives were present in the buildings.

Police say that so far, all of the bomb threats have been unfounded, Baruch Hashem.

In a post to social media, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said that she is “actively monitoring” the situation.

“Threats have been determined not to be credible, but we will not tolerate individuals sowing fear & antisemitism. Those responsible must be held accountable for their despicable actions,” she wrote.

We are actively monitoring a number of bomb threats at synagogues in New York. Threats have been determined not to be credible, but we will not tolerate individuals sowing fear & antisemitism. Those responsible must be held accountable for their despicable actions.

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 4, 2024

At least 20 synagogues were targeted, including at least 4 in my district.

I've spoken with Rabbis and the Police; they have investigated the specific threats and found them to be not credible.

Antisemitism is unacceptable, and the perpetrators should be prosecuted. https://t.co/WQxNnyTPob

— Alex Bores (@AlexBores) May 5, 2024

Update: Now at least 4 synagogues in Manhattan have received bomb threats. None thankfully deemed to be credible.

But this is a clear effort to sow fear in the Jewish community. Cannot be accepted. https://t.co/IbdMRSo9To

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) May 5, 2024

Reports tonight of bomb threats being called into synagogues throughout NYC.

Thankfully, they don’t seem credible at this point in time.

But it’s a clear attack on the Jewish community here in NYC. Unacceptable and reprehensible.

— Keith Powers (@KeithPowersNYC) May 5, 2024

Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council [JCRC] of New York, told The NY Post that the bomb threats are a “dangerous escalation” of antisemitism during a particularly sensitive and tense time for Jewish people.

“This is not peaceful, this is not lawful and this is not normal and this is happening on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day,” Treyger, the grandson on Holocaust survivors, said. “This is a dangerous escalation of what we’ve already been seeing in the rest of the country.”

There is “zero room for hate in New York City and those responsible must be held accountable. Full stop,” he said.

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