FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 31, 2017
CONTACT: Samantha Kupferman, West End Strategy Team
[email protected]; Office: 212-498-9300; Cell: 202-215-9260
JCC Association of North America collaborates with local JCCs, law enforcement, to ensure that centers safely serve communities
NEW YORK – David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America, whose role involves advising local JCCs on security policies and practices, issued the below statement:
“On January 31, a third wave of bomb threats called in to Jewish community centers caused 15 centers in 10 states plus one Canadian province, to quickly carry out practiced security protocols to ensure the safety of their participants and facilities. All received the all-clear from local law enforcement and resumed regular operations, with a heightened level of security.
“Safety is our top priority. JCC Association is coordinating security trainings for JCC executives and staff, to ensure that our community of professionals across the country is prepared with critical tools, resources and contacts.
“We applaud the JCC professionals on the ground who in light of this recent series of calls, have relied on established best practices, and continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure the well-being of all who use and benefit from their facilities.”
“This was the third time this month that multiple JCCs have received phoned in bomb threats in a single day; on January 18, 27 Jewish community centers in 17 states received threats, and on January 9, 16 centers in nine states received threats.
“We are concerned about the anti-Semitism behind these threats. All threats have been determined to be hoaxes. The FBI is actively investigating the source or sources of these calls. We are relieved that no one has been harmed and that JCCs continue to operate in a way that puts the safety of their staff, visitors, and premises first.”
JCC Association partners with Secure Community Network, which was established after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to focus on security for Jewish institutions throughout North America, as it develops action plans and provides guidance, recognized practices, and research to local JCCs.
The list of JCCs which confirmed receiving bomb threats on January 31 follows, by state:
California
Alpert Jewish Community Center, Long Beach
Lawrence Family JCC, La Jolla
Colorado
Boulder Jewish Community Center
Illinois
JCC Apachi Day Camp, Lake Zurich
New Jersey
JCC Metro West, West Orange
Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly
New York
Sidney Albert Albany JCC
Jewish Community Center of Syracuse
Jewish Community Center of Binghamton
Massachusetts
Worcester JCC
New Mexico
Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque
Ohio
JCC of Toledo, Sylvania
Utah
I.J. & Jeanné Wagner Jewish Community Center, Salt Lake City
Wisconsin
The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, Milwaukee
CANADA – Ontario
London Jewish Community Centre
ABOUT JCC ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA:
JCC Association of North America strengthens and leads JCCs, YM-YWHAs and camps throughout North America. As the convening organization, JCC Association partners with JCCs to bring together the collective power and knowledge of the JCC Movement. JCC Association offers services and resources to increase the effectiveness of JCCs as they provide community engagement and educational, cultural, social, recreational, and Jewish identity building programs to enhance Jewish life throughout North America. By supporting the 25,000 Jewish communal professionals who connect with two million JCC participants each year—JCC Association encourages engaged lives of purpose and meaning. Learn more at jccassociation.org, on Facebook and on Twitter at @JCCA
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