West Bloomfield Jewish Center, 27 Nationwide Targeted in Bomb Threat

WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI — The Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield was one of 27 such institutions in 17 states receiving a second wave of bomb threats Wednesday. The center was evacuated as a precaution and students were shaken up by threats directed at Jews, but no one was injured and no explosives were found, according to media reports.

On Jan. 9, more than a dozen American Jewish centers in nine states reported they had received telephone calls threatening a bomb was inside the building. Those threats were a hoax, too.

The director of an affiliate of the Jewish federations of North America that advises synagogues and other Jewish institutions on security threats said his organization is in contact with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security. The FBI and the Justice Department are investigating possible civil rights violations, the FBI said in a statement.No one has claimed responsibility.

The threats against Jews come at a time when neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups may feel emboldened, Paul Goldenberg, the head of Secure Community Networks, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

“Their threats are much more specific, in some cases they’re calling for armed marches, in some cases leaving very specific threats against Jewish communities — bombing threats, harassment” he said, citing a Whitefish, Montana, march that was planned last year, but canceled after government, religious and other leaders pushed back.

The Jewish Community Center Association of North America trained staff members in security procedures after the first round of threats. David Posner, director of strategic performance at the association, said in a statement.

“While we’re extremely proud of our JCCs for professionally handling yet another threatening situation, we are concerned about the anti-Semitism behind these threats,” Posner said in a statement.

In West Bloomfield Township, students evacuated from the building, which houses the Frankel Jewish Academy described confusing situation during the 20 to 30 minutes students stood outside before they were escorted indoors to another facility. They were eventually sent home for the day, and the JCC building was cleared around 3 p.m.

“It’s just scary for the whole Jewish community — that they’re coming and like aiming, targeting us,” Frankel 10th grader Olivia Singer told WWJ Radio. “It’s just scary.”

Another student, Ilan Elrom, added: “I think it’s disgusting. I think that people need to understand that this kind of hatred, that it doesn’t get their message across.”

The first of the 17 threats Wednesday came in about 9:45 a.m. at a JCC in Miami, Florida, that was evacuated so police and dogs could sweep the building. Reuters reported that two centers in Connecticut evacuated after receiving calls. No bombs were found in either instance.

Threats were received in several other cities and their suburbs, including New York, Boston, Nashville, Minneapolis and the Orlando area.

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