Threats Received at 5 Jewish Community Centers Across New England

Police are investigating multiple suspicious phone calls that forced the evacuation of Jewish Community Centers around the country, including two in Massachusetts.

The Jewish Community Center in Newton received a call at 9 a.m. Wednesday, and forced police to evacuate the building on Nahanton Street as a precaution. 

Investigators said a similar call was made to the JCC in Worcester.

The Jewish Community Alliance in Portland, Maine also received a threatening phone call around 9:30 a.m. The caller made anti-semitic statements. More than 40 children and a dozen staff members were evacuated. A search found nothing and normal activities were able to resume.

Suspicious calls were also made at two JCC locations in Connecticut, as well as locations in Miami and New Jersey Wednesday morning.

There were no injuries reported.

One person at the JCC in Newton said she was in the swimming pool when she was told to evacuate.

"I was doing water aerobics and they announced to get out of the pool as fast as possible. So we thought maybe it was the weather, because they make us get out when it thunders and then it became 'Get out right now, move faster,'" Faye Neiberg said.

In a statement, Newton's JCC said "JCCs up and down the East Coast" have been experiencing these suspicious calls throughout the country for the week.

It's unclear where the calls came from, and the investigation is ongoing.

Contact Us