Woodbridge Jewish Temple Threatened With Violence: Police

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Threats were left on the voicemail of the Jewish Temple of Congregation Ner Shalom last week. Authorities are now investigating the threats that targeted Prince William County's only synagogue.

The threats were first discovered on the temple's voice mail in the morning on Tuesday, June 22. "The investigation revealed that a message was left on the temple’s voicemail including inappropriate language and threats of violence," the Prince William County Police Department wrote in a report.

Jillian Perry is currently the temple's vice president of membership. "As individuals many of us have heard in person and seen over social media the increase in antisemitic comments," she said. "Luckily we live in a great community with a lot of support from our interfaith brothers and sisters."

The phone threats at Ner Shalom were the fifth recorded antisemitic incident in Virginia this year, according to the Anti-Defamation League. "As Jews nationwide, we have all seen a rise in antisemitism," Perry said. In May, the Anti-Defamation League said they recorded a 63 percent jump in antisemitic crimes nationwide.

The Ner Shalom Congregation has existed since the 1970s, and they moved into their current building in 1994. They plan to open a new Jewish day care, Gan Teva, at the end of the summer. They will also be hosting a picnic for interested families on Wednesday, July 7.

Anyone with information about the threatening message is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department's tipline at 703-792-7000. Tips can also be submitted online.

In northern Virginia, antisemitic language was used to target school board members in Fairfax County. "Hate and bigotry exist in our society, but I was shocked when they made their appearance in my own beloved community today," School board member Stella Pekarsky wrote on Facebook.

Read more: Racist, Antisemitic KKK Flyers Rebuked By Fairfax School Leaders

"I will stand in solidarity with our Jewish students, our LGBTQ students, and any students that are marginalized, targeted, and made to feel as if they are less than or not valued," Pekarsky continued.