An Anchorage Jewish community center is among those targeted in a wave of bomb threats around the country. Founded 25 years ago by Rabbi Yosef Greenberg, the Lubavitch Jewish Center of Alaska evacuated about 40 children after it received a phone call making the threat Monday (Feb. 27) afternoon. Greenberg said a recorded male voice announced there was a bomb in the building and that people had 20 minutes to clear out.
Greenberg said police arrived within minutes, and the FBI also responded. No explosives were found anywhere on the premises, including in Greenberg’s car, whose alarm began blaring around the same time as the call.
Police referred further questions to the FBI. Jewish centers and day schools in at least a dozen states received threats on Monday.
Alaska Public Media’s Lori Townsend spoke with Rabbi Greenberg who said they have not experienced any trouble before this. The Rabbi said the staff worked hard to keep the children calm.
Note: Some of this story is from Associated Press reporting.
Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.
