There have been five waves of dangerous bomb hoaxes called into religious facilities across the United States over a two-month span
Ahead of a rally in Tenafly Friday in which New Jersey lawmakers from both sides are expected to condemn the recent rise of anti-Semitism, three state legislators have called on the state Attorney General to provide additional protection to Jewish Community centers.
There have been five waves of bomb hoaxes called into dozens of religious facilities across the United States over a two-month span, causing alarm and panic as people were forced to evacuate the community centers during the day.
Monday marked the latest set of phoned threats targeting 20 Jewish community facilities in 12 states, including the Katz Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill, where 500 people had to be evacuated.
In a letter given to NJ Advance Media Friday morning, State Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex), Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-Essex and Morris) and state Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) called on state Attorney General Christopher Porrino to direct the State Police to work with local and federal authorities to protect the centers and patrol the facilities when appropriate.
"We trust that the State Police and your Bias Crimes Unit are working diligently and cooperatively with federal and local law enforcement to investigate the bomb threats," the letter reads. "Although these incidents have all turned out to be hoaxes, the fear and intimidation that they are instilling are very much real."
The lawmakers also note the recent pattern of anti-Semitism hasn't been limited to these bomb hoaxes, citing several swastikas found spray-painted on a bridge in the South Orange section of South Mountain Reservation.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is scheduled to attend the rally at the Kaplen Jewish Community Center on the Palisades in Tenafly Friday, along with U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez and fellow Democrats Reps. Bill Pascrell Jr. and Josh Gottheimer.
The JCC in Tenafly was also the target of a bomb threat Monday, the third since January.
Other Jewish facilities in New Jersey have been the target of these hoaxes including, the JCC MetroWest in West Orange, JCC of Middlesex County in Edison and the JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains.
The FBI and Justice Department have been investigating the threats as possible civil rights violations.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.