Local Leaders Unite To Condemn Recent Threats, Anti-Semitism

Local religious and political leaders joined in solidarity Friday morning at a Jewish community center in Rockville to condemn a recent wave of anti-Semitism.

The event took place four days after the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville received a bomb threat. The school was one of more than 20 Jewish schools and community centers nationwide to receive bomb threats on Monday.

The gathering marked the third solidarity event organized by Montgomery County leaders since President Donald Trump’s election in November. Local leaders also held an event in Silver Spring in November condemning a string of hate-based incidents in the county and last month invited nonprofit leaders to the Silver Spring Civic Center to inform them about county resources to help undocumented immigrants and refugees who could be impacted by new federal immigration enforcement policies. 

Rabbi Mitchel Malkus, the head of the Jewish day school, said Friday the bomb threat generated anxiety among students and caused concern among parents. County police determined the threat to be unfounded after searching the school.

“Staff were thrust into positions that challenged themselves to show their students immediate care, demonstrate calmness and at the same time hold the very real feeling that an explosion might take place in their school,” Malkus said.

About 125 people gathered for the solidarity event Friday at the Bender Jewish Community Center in Rockville. Speakers included Sens. Ben Cardin, Chris Van Hollen and Reps. John Delaney, Jaime Raskin and John Sarbanes, along with county officials.

“We stand united against hate crimes in our community and we will not tolerate it,” Cardin said. He also told the audience he has asked federal law enforcement to focus their efforts on finding whoever made the calls and hold them accountable.

During the event, Ronald Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, provided brief updates on Friday’s breaking news that a man who has been linked to some of the recent bomb threats had been arrested in St. Louis. Authorities arrested former journalist Juan Thompson, 31, according to The Washington Post.

Halber also said the threats won’t intimidate Jews.

“We are strengthened by our own history and traditions,” Halber said. “History teaches us one cannot remain silent to confront hate.”

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett said he planned to ask the County Council to approve funds to help local Jewish community centers and schools bolster security.

He said he plans to submit the appropriation for “several hundred thousand dollars” to the council on Monday. The facilities could use the money to improve security and the use of surveillance cameras and lighting,  and to reinforce windows that face roads, according to Leggett.

At the end of the hour-long event, leaders representing various religions from around the region joined together on stage to show their unity.

Sharif Salim, a Muslim educator in Prince George’s County, was among those who stood on stage. He said he attended the event to show his commitment to condemning the recent threats and hate-based incidents.

“If we don’t stand together in these times, then we’re all going to perish together,” Salim said.

He noted the local Muslim community is also experiencing anxiety over President Donald Trump’s travel ban. He said some of his students are concerned about traveling home for the summer because they don’t know if they’ll be allowed to re-enter the U.S.

“Many Muslims I know are also concerned about making hajj to Mecca,” Salim said. “If you make your religious pilgrimage, can you get back into the country?”