FBI locates suspect who made credible threat against N.J. synagogues. Man reportedly held extremist views.

Federal law enforcement officials say the individual who made broad threats against New Jersey synagogues prompting the FBIs Newark field office on Thursday to issue a rare public alert urging caution at temples around the state no longer poses a danger to the community.

The FBI did not identify the suspect or elaborate on the specific threat. New Jerseys attorney general told NJ Advance Media there would be an increased police presence at synagogues around the state this weekend as a precaution.

Upon receipt of threat information against an unspecified New Jersey area synagogue, the FBI notified community leaders and our law enforcement partners. We identified the source of the threat who no longer poses a danger to the community, the bureau said in a statement.

As always, we would like to remind the public, to remain vigilant and if they observe suspicious activity to report it to law enforcement immediately.

A person briefed on the matter, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly, told NJ Advance Media that the FBI had made contact with the suspect and interviewed them, though it was not immediately clear if that person would face charges.

James E. Dennehy, the special agent in charge of the F.B.I.s Newark office, told law enforcement officials and Jewish leaders on a conference call Friday morning that they believed the man had acted alone, according to The New York Times.

He expressed radical, extremist views and ideology, as well as an extreme amount of hate against the Jewish community, Dennehy reportedly said. It doesnt appear there are others who pose a threat to Jewish synagogues affiliated with this subject of interest, he added.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement Friday praised law enforcement for their tireless efforts in mitigating the immediate threat to our Jewish synagogues.

While this specific threat may be mitigated, we know this remains a tense time for our Jewish communities who are facing a wave of anti-Semitic activity, Murphy said.

This threat violated one of the most fundamental tenets of our nation the right to worship according to the dictates of our consciences and our sacred and holy traditions. We will always endeavor to ensure that every New Jerseyan of every faith may continue to live, study, and worship without fear for their safety.

The specter of violence at New Jersey temples put the states Jewish community on edge, leading to a noticeable police presence in several towns, including Jersey City, Lakewood and Teaneck.

The whole community has been on high alert, said Laura Freeman, the managing director for marketing and communications at the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

All the synagogues have had extra law enforcement patrolling the facilities and everybodys been very, very focused on keeping the facilities safe, she added in a phone interview Friday morning.

Its really disgusting that this kind of behavior continues, and it hasnt been this bad since the 40s, Freeman said. Antisemitism continues to grow and theres too many outlets for people with these types of thoughts to be able to express their hate and their visceral and you know, bias towards groups.

State Attorney General Matthew Platkin on Thursday ordered the states 21 county prosecutors to coordinate both visible and undercover law enforcement details in sensitive areas.

Platkin told NJ Advance Media on Friday morning the increased police presence would continue at least through the weekend.

The immediate threat is now neutralized, but the reality for Jewish residents of New Jersey and, frankly, a lot of races and ethnicities right now is theres real fear, he said.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who serves the states 5th congressional district, attended morning service at Congregation Rinat Yisrael in Teaneck. He told NJ Advance Media that congregants were rightly concerned by the threats but determined not to allow it to disrupt worship.

Religious freedom is at the core of our democracy and we will not bend to anti-Semitic, terroristic threats, Gottheimer said.

After we prayed, what I heard from members of the shul was, We will not cower.

The FBI disclosed the threats on Thursday afternoon but did not release any further information on the nature of the threats. It said it was taking a proactive measure with this warning while investigative processes are carried out.

We ask at this time that you take all security precautions to protect your community and facility, FBI Newark wrote on its social media pages. We will share more information as soon as we can. Stay alert. In case of emergency call police.

Lakewood police said they had boosted patrols in the township, which has a large Orthodox Jewish population.

In response to the statement issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, warning of an broad threat to synagogues in New Jersey, the Lakewood Police Department along with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriffs Department has increased patrols, in both a marked and unmarked capacity, Lakewood police spokesman Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said in a statement.

Antisemitic incidents were reported in 19 of New Jerseys 21 counties in 2021, according to the Anti-Defamation League, with the highest numbers in Bergen County where 70 such incidents were recorded and in Ocean County, with 44.

We deal with anti-Semitic incidents literally every single day, said Scott Richman, groups regional director for New York and New Jersey.

We always worry, you know, and look for patterns, look for trends. The past few weeks have been tough. A lot of very high-profile incidents, he added, referring to anti-Semitic comments made recently by Kanye West and Kyrie Irving.

All of that puts me on edge, that, you know, were going to see more and more antisemitic incidents.

State Sen. Robert Singer, R-Ocean, who represents Lakewood, said residents there were feeling so much more comfortable and safe following the FBIs announcement.

We were very concerned, Singer said. When those threats come through, it certainly shakes the community.

Singer lamented an increase in antisemitic rhetoric over the last year.

Many elected officials have not denounced it, he said. That certainly doesnt help. People dont say anything or they ignore things. You cannot be silent on them.

Singer said he expects more synagogues and churches of other faiths will apply for more money for security from the state.

We need to take measures to protect communities, he said.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Ted Sherman contributed to this report.

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S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com.

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