Multiple synagogues in Nassau and Suffolk counties received emailed bomb threats during the Jewish high holy days, police say.
Further Coverage: Nassau police: Emailed bomb threat to Temple Beth Am of Merrick and Bellmore deemed not credible
A similar threat was also emailed to Long Island MacArthur Airport.
Bomb threats were received Monday by North Shore Synagogue in Syosset, B’Nai Israel Temple in Oakdale, according to police.
Additional bomb threats were emailed on Sunday to Temple Beth Am in Merrick and Temple Beth David in Commack.
Rabbi Beth Klafter, of Temple Beth David, says the email they received was not spotted until Monday. She says the building was immediately evacuated.
All of the threats were determined to be hoaxes and similar in nature, police said.
Klafter says that does not mean the Jewish community should keep their guard down.
“It’s disturbing because it’s a measure of what’s going on in the world in terms of antisemitism and a level of bullying and violence that is going on in the world,” Klafter says.
Police confirm they also investigated a threat to Temple Avodah in Oceanside.
North Shore Synagogue Executive Director Jacquelynn Golub said in a statement,
“It’s terrible that anybody would want to attack or place threats to Jewish institutions during the high holy day season. Our community is stronger than that and we are unified with our other surrounding synagogues in denouncing hate in the community. This does not deter us from continuing through our high holy day season.”
Police are increasing patrols around Jewish temples.
It is not clear if the threats are connected.
