Source of threat to synagogues in New Jersey has been identified and is no longer a danger, says FBI

Federal law enforcement has identified the source of a broad threat to New Jersey synagogues “who no longer poses a danger to the community.”

News of the threats emerged Thursday afternoon with the FBI’s field office in Newark encouraging the houses of worship to “take all security precautions to protect your community and facility.” While the agency’s initial warnings did not specify whether the threats were statewide or aimed at a specific house of worship, on Friday it said the threat was “against an unspecified New Jersey area synagogue.”

James E. Dennehy, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Newark office, was only slightly more forthcoming in a Friday morning call with more than 500 Jewish faith leaders and state law enforcement, according to the New York Times. During the call, Dennehy attributed the threat to one man who he said had been interviewed by authorities for several hours and was believed to be acting alone. Dennehy did not say whether the man who authorities found to have “radical extremist views” would face charges.

After the FBI issued its warning Thursday, state agencies were quick to act. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that law enforcement would increase patrols in “sensitive areas.”

“Each and every law enforcement agency in New Jersey stood up yesterday to protect and communicate with our Jewish neighbors against hate,” said Platkin in a statement Friday. “From direct contact to synagogue leadership, to uniformed and non-uniformed police presences at places of worship, our State Police, federal partners, county prosecutor’s officers, local police departments, sheriffs and other law enforcement moved swiftly to protect synagogues and Jewish centers.”

State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness were among the agencies working with the FBI.

The source of the threat was identified Thursday night.

» READ MORE: FBI warns of potential attacks on synagogues in New Jersey

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy took to social media Friday to thank federal and state law enforcement for mitigating threats made to Jewish synagogues.

“While this specific threat may be mitigated, we know this remains a tense time for our Jewish communities who are facing a wave of anti-Semitic activity,” wrote Murphy in his statement, without detailing how the threats were addressed or if any arrests were made.

In 2019, an antisemitic attack at a kosher grocery in Jersey City rocked the diverse city. Three people were killed in the attack, including a store co-owner, an employee, and a rabbinical student. The assailants also killed a city detective before the store attack. Police killed the two shooters.

A report released by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism found there was a 27% increase nationally in antisemitic messaging in 2021.

“It’s scary and it’s sad,” said Jill L. Maderer, senior rabbi at Philadelphia’s Congregation Rodeph Shalom, reflecting on the New Jersey threat and the wider rise of antisemitism. She noted how Jewish community members have paid close attention over the past several weeks as rapper Kanye West and NBA star Kyrie Irving have spread antisemitic messages.

“It’s really important for Jews to hear from our non-Jewish neighbors to call out antisemitism and stand against it so that we know we’re not alone,” she said.

In his statement, Murphy promised to remain vigilant against any threats made to Jewish communities.

“We will take any and every threat with the utmost seriousness and we will stand up and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish congregations.”