Threats prompt Montgomery synagogue to talk safety

• SPLC tracked more anti-Semitic threats last year than in many prior years, said Rabbi Elliot Stevens.

Worries over waves of bomb threats at Jewish facilities in recent weeks have prompted a Montgomery synagogue to sponsor an event to discuss growing security concerns.

Montgomery’s Jewish community is small when compared with larger towns, but leaders of the Capital City’s two Jewish houses of worship have taken special steps to beef up protection efforts.

“I have never witnessed any incidents of anti-Semitism in Montgomery during my 10 years here, but that doesn’t mean something like that can’t happen and that’s why we are holding our event,” said Agudath Israel Etz Ahayem Rabbi Scott Kramer.

The synagogue, located at 3525 Cloverdale Road, will begin its program at 6 p.m. Kramer said representatives from the Anti-Defamation League and the FBI are expected to attend the event.

The ADL has issued a statement of concern about “an unprecedented rise in Anti-Semitic incidents in the United States, not only over the last year, but specifically in the last few years.

Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center received a bomb threat last month and authorities are trying to determine if it might be linked to similar threats across the country.

The Birmingham facility that includes a day care was evacuated and parents were contacted to get their children. Bomb-sniffing dogs also checked the building and an all-clear was eventually sounded.

Threatening phone calls have been recorded at dozens of Jewish facilities in recent weeks including Alabama, Florida and Tennessee.

Kramer said he has long wanted to invite the ADL to his synagogue “and this seemed to be a good opportunity.”

“We take security very seriously,” the rabbi said. “Most of our doors have video cameras and we also have armed guards whenever services are held.”

Temple Beth Or has also increased its security systems and Rabbi Elliot Stevens said Tuesday afternoon that more will be added if needed in the future.

“We have security for all of our services and Sunday school and also have installed a sophisticated camera system with multiple cameras not only on site but on cellphones, too,” said Stevens.

The rabbi said the need to increase security devices has become a “depressing subject and we wish we didn’t have to talk about it but these are the tenor of our times.”

Stevens said the Southern Poverty Law Center has tracked more anti-Semitic threats and incidents last year than in many prior years.

ADL official David Posner said his organization has been coordinating security training for those who frequent Jewish community centers in dozens of locations around the country.

Posner said several of the threats were determined to have been hoaxes, but the FBI is “actively investigating those calls.”

“We are relieved that no one has been harmed and the JCCs continue to operate in a way that puts the safety of their staff, visitors and premises first,” said Posner, who is the director of strategic performances for the group.

Posner said he and his organization are following developments of recent events and “we are concerned about the anti-Semitism behind these threats.”

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: A public discussion on growing security concerns in Montgomery's Jewish community, and anti-Semitism in the U.S. 

WHEN: Thursday at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Agudath Israel, Etz Ahayem Synagogue, located at 3525 Cloverdale Road​ in Montgomery

MORE INFO: For more information, call 334-281-7394.