Joy Levitt, executive director of the JCC at 334 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th Street, signed onto a letter from more than 140 JCCs around the country to Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking the federal government to devote more resources to the investigation into threats against JCCs around the country. There have been more than 100 threats called in in the last few months, forcing evacuations of schools and other precautionary measures.
The letter, linked here, asks Sessions to meet with the heads of the JCC Association of North America.
President Trump forcefully condemned the situation at the outset of a speech to Congress, DHS has promised heightened support to JCCs through its protective security advisors, and our leadership had the chance to meet with FBI Director Comey.
Still, we are frustrated with the progress in resolving this situation. We insist that all relevant federal agencies, including your own, apply all the resources available to identify and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators, who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in communities across the country, to justice.
The local JCC received “a non-credible threatening phone call” on Jan. 19. The school did not evacuate, though it “followed all recommended procedures, ensuring the ongoing safety and security of all members of our community,” according to a spokesperson.
A man named Juan Thompson has been arrested in connection with making calls to some of the JCCs, including making a threatening call to a preschool in Manhattan on Feb. 7. But it’s not clear which school (It does not appear to be the local JCC, but authorities haven’t named the school and the local JCC is not commenting further about the investigation.)
