(NewsReady.com) – The Jewish community has been on high alert for years. Antisemitism has steadily increased and has exploded in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. The Jewish community in New York City is now on high alert after a series of threats.
On Saturday, May 4, at approximately 3:15 p.m., someone sent an email to the Congregation Rodeph Sholom and said someone placed explosives in the building. Officers with the New York Police Department (NYPD) evacuated the synagogue but didn’t find any explosives.
About 45 minutes later, at 4:30 p.m., an individual emailed another bomb threat to the Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. Fortunately, there wasn’t anyone at the synagogue when it happened. Once again, police officers searched the building, but didn’t find any evidence of explosives.
Just after 5:10 p.m., another email was sent out. This time it went to the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, and again, it warned of explosives in the building. Three people were in the synagogue at the time and were evacuated. Police found no evidence of bombs.
Governor Kathy Hochul (D) released a statement saying authorities were monitoring the situation. She said the threats weren’t credible, and they wouldn’t tolerate people threatening others and making them afraid. She warned those who carried out the bomb threats “must be held accountable for their despicable actions.”
On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), both Jewish lawmakers, announced a $400 million increase in federal funding to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help secure places of worship. Schumer said the money would make it so religious institutions, including synagogues, would not “have to live in the fear that they now live with.”
The money can be used for security personnel, cameras, and other equipment. Last year, the program gave $305 million to nonprofits to help them protect their facilities. Institutions must apply for the money by May 21.
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