An inundation of threats made to Jewish organizations across the country included a Feb. 27 bomb scare at the Westside Jewish Community Center.

Police said an investigation determined that there was no credible threat.

“We shouldn’t let this kind of terrorism stop what we do,” said Brian Greene, the center’s executive director, adding that the facility resumed business-as-usual 10 minutes after police officers gave their clearance.

The Westside Jewish Community Center was victim to a bomb scare this week. Similar threats have been spreading around the country.
(courtesy of Google Maps)

There have been about 90 bomb threats targeting Jewish organizations since the beginning of this year, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Greene said the community should remain poised in response to what, so far, have only been “scare tactics.”

“There’s never been a bomb, and there’s never been any evidence of a bomb,” he said. “Nobody’s been hurt.”

An especially disturbing attack earlier this week took place at a Philadelphia-area Jewish cemetery, where approximately 100 headstones were knocked over.

“We stand with the Jewish community and all decent Philadelphians in condemning this crime, and we are inspired by the outpouring of support from law enforcement, community leaders and neighbors,” Nancy K. Baron-Baer, an Anti-Defamation League regional director, said in a statement. “We all must band together in the face of senseless crimes like the vandalism at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.”

As a result, the local Jewish organizations around the country are on alert.

Hillary Selvin, executive director of the National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles, said her group’s facility at 543 N. Fairfax Ave. has not received any recent threats. But security and safety concerns among its members have been heightened.

“The vandalism that’s happened, the threats being called into Jewish community centers put a lot of anxiety on the people who are part of those programs,” she said, “from little kids to seniors and everyone in between.

“At the end of the day, a call can be made and we have to take it seriously whether it’s a hoax or not.”

Alluding to President Donald J. Trump, Selvin said she attributed the attacks to rhetoric from the presidential election that normalized bullying, making generalizations about certain communities and saying “nasty things about others.”

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said last week that Trump thinks the attacks are “horrible and painful,” and a “very sad reminder of the work that must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil.”

“I hope the people of this country rise up against hatred,” Selvin said. “This is not who we are, and I don’t believe this is ever who we were. … I think the majority of the people in this country are upset.”

Laura Eimiller, an FBI Los Angeles spokeswoman, said the bureau is investigating the threats that have been taking place nationwide.

“The FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are investigating possible civil rights violations in connection with threats to Jewish Community Centers across the country,” according to a statement released in January. “The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence, and will ensure this matter is investigated in a fair, thorough and impartial manner. As this matter is ongoing, no further comment would be appropriate.”

The Anti-Defamation League issued a security advisory to Jewish organizations across the country. Its recommendations include reviewing the bomb threat guidance by the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“We are taking this very seriously and will continue to work intimately with federal and local law enforcement – in addition to our community partners across the country – as they cope during this difficult time,” Jonathan A. Greenblatt, Anti-Defamation League CEO, said in a statement.

City Councilman Paul Koretz, 5th District, said via email that “such violence and threats cannot be tolerated.”

“The recent threats against Jewish Community Centers nationwide are alarming, disheartening, and quite frankly, scary,” he said. “I am working with our various Jewish institutions and the Los Angeles Police Department to create a task force to maximize coordination and ensure our community members are fully equipped to handle these emergencies.”

City Attorney Mike Feuer mentioned the Westside Jewish Community Center, located at 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., in a statement released on Feb. 28.

“In this turbulent moment, we must condemn in the strongest possible terms actions that are designed to foment hatred and instill fear in targeted communities – including, most recently, coordinated threats against the Westside Jewish Community Center and centers across the nation, and the desecration of Jewish cemeteries,” he said. “Hate targeting any of us is hate that targets all of us.”

Feuer had plans to meet with LAPD and Jewish community leaders on March 1, according to a spokesman from the city attorney’s office.