Jonathan Greenblatt: In 2023, Fighting Antisemitism Requires Constant Vigilance (Guest Column)
variety.comJonathan Greenblatt The American Jewish community has been on high alert for years. In the half-decade since 11 Jewish worshippers were murdered during a Shabbat service in Pittsburgh, congregations across the country have installed security cameras, hired armed guards, and attended active shooter training sessions.
The tension, however, has escalated in recent weeks. Every Saturday morning, synagogues across the country had prayer services threatened by antisemitic hoaxes.
A coordinated group of extremists online perpetrated attacks known as swatting, the deliberate, malicious act of reporting a false emergency to evoke an aggressive response from law enforcement.
Since mid-July, at least 71 synagogues in at least 14 states have received these threats. The perpetrators are targeting synagogues’ livestreaming services so they can watch in real time as the SWAT teams arrive in response to claims of bomb threats or active shooter situations.
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