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Jewish Centers Urged To Increase Security

 
By
WCVB-TV The Boston Channel

 

NEWTON, Mass. -- The FBI has issued a warning to the nation's Jewish institutions advising them to be on alert for hate crimes.

The warning was in response to a deadly shooting Friday at a Jewish community center in Seattle. One woman was killed and five others were wounded in the attack.

The alleged shooter, a Pakistani American, told authorities he was angry over the war in Iraq and the U.S. cooperation with Israel.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that in Boston, synagogues and Jewish centers are stepping up security.

"A security alert was sent out to synagogues and Jewish institutions, JCCs, family services, anyone who has a Jewish presence, advising them how to heighten security," said Nancy Kaufman, of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

On Monday there was a meeting at the Combined Jewish Philanthropies to inform people working in the building about security measures.

"We do have armed guard presence and we will continue to. The Boston police detail is also going to be supplying somebody," said Carol Lobron, of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

"Any phone calls, threatening e-mails need to be reported right away. It's basically just very common sense procedures around how to protect yourself," said Kaufman.

Authorities have called Friday's incident in Seattle an isolated one.

"It was an individual with a history of mental illness," said Lobron.

"But, obviously, everyone is on guard and vigilant about what is happening," Kaufman said.

Local Jewish leaders said their organizations have not received any threats but will evaluate their security needs on a weekly basis.



An agency of Combined Jewish Philanthropies and a United Way beneficiary
© 2008 Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.