FBI warns of 'broad' threat to synagogues in New Jersey
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) -- The New Jersey Jewish community is on high alert after the FBI warned of a "broad threat" against synagogues on Thursday. The Cherry Hill Police Department says they've been in contact with local Jewish organizations. One of those leaders is urging his community to take precautions.
"It's important that people remain vigilant," Andrew Goretsky, of the Anti-Defamation League, said.
Goretsky says the Jewish community is deeply concerned after learning about another threat tied to their faith.
"It's obviously very serious," Goretsky said. "Synagogues and many Jewish institutions, JCCS, have worked with local law enforcement in order to look at security measures."
The FBI of Newark issued a statement reading, "The FBI has received credible information of a broad threat to synagogues in NJ. We ask at this time that you take all security precautions to protect your community and facility."
The FBI hasn't released where the threat was made or what else it involved.
But Gov. Phil Murphy also wrote a statement, saying, "We are working with local law enforcement to ensure all houses of worship are protected."
"Unfortunately, we've been seeing a rise in antisemitic incidents," Goretsky said.
Antisemitic incidents reached an all-time high in the United States in 2021, with more than 2,700 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
"There's just been a rise in hate, a rise in extreme rhetoric that's continuing to become normalized," Goretsky said. "What we need to do is continue to push it back."
If you know of a threat, police urge you to call 911 to report it.
