Second bomb threat in 2 weeks hits Jewish Community Center
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Center closed briefly after receiving a bomb threat Sunday.
This was the second threat at Indy's JCC in less than two weeks. The first was Feb. 27, and it closed the center at 6701 Hoover Road on the north side for about an hour while police searched. No bombs or anything suspicious was found either time, and the center has resumed normal activity. Similar threats were called in Sunday in Wisconsin and New York.
Bomb threat targets Jewish Community Center in Indianapolis
Sunday's threat is just the latest in a wave of threats and vandalism against Jewish organizations and people. Within the past month, bomb threats have been called in across the country, and vandals damaged more than 200 headstones in Philadelphia and St. Louis.
But at the JCC, it's just business as usual.
Todd Landwehr, senior vice president of health and fitness services, said they're not going to let the threats deter or affect their day-to-day lives in any way.
"It's sad that there are people out there causing all of these threats and intimidation," Landwehr said. "I just wish they could find the help they need to come to peace with themselves."
Because the JCC is so diverse — a large percentage of the community is non-Jewish — the harm and fear it spreads isn't just hurtful to Jewish people, but to everyone, Landwehr said. He wants people to continue to look at the center as a safe place, somewhere that's fully inclusive and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their faith.
Susan Lerner, who goes to the Indy JCC, said she was shocked when she found out about the bomb threat Sunday.
"How could it not make me worried?" Lerner said. "It worries all Jews. I think it should, and I'm sure it does hurt everybody."
Last week, Lerner visited St. Louis, where many of her ancestors are buried in one of the desecrated cemeteries. To see that, then to have bomb threats scattered across the nation just a week later was disturbing to her.
The threats Sunday coincided with the Jewish holiday of Purim, which commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia.
"Purim adds an extra dimension to (the threats)," Lerner said. "It's certainly disturbing deeply any day, but to have it be on a holiday that's meaningful to Jewish people, and one where Jewish people would be gathered at these buildings. … It makes it even more disturbing."
Lerner has never felt any anti-Semitism in Indianapolis, but she said she also isn't sure how Jewish-friendly the city is. Regardless, she said there needs to be an even stronger message coming from the top of the government that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in the U.S.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett tweeted Sunday night that he was relived to hear the center was given the all clear.
"It is disheartening to see neighbors & friends, threatened & fearful," Hogsett tweeted. "In the coming days, IMPD will work with federal partners to identify the source of this threat and hold those involved accountable."
IndyStar reporter Justin Mack contributed to this story. Follow IndyStar reporter Kara Berg on Twitter: @karaberg95.