Homeland Security in Chicago To Protect Jewish Organizations
Agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are in Chicago to beef up security at Jewish institutions.
They arrived Sunday and are working through the Chicago Jewish federation, according to Paul Goldenberg, national director of the Secure Community Network (SCN), a security agency that is the product of the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
On Wednesday, senior Homeland Security leadership will begin a series of conference calls with senior Jewish leaders across the country focusing on increased security concerns in the wake of last Friday’s bomb threat in which two packages of explosives mailed from Yemen and allegedly targeting Jewish institutions in Chicago were intercepted. One was intercepted at a FedEx way station in the United Arab Emirates, and one in London.
Hidden inside printer cartridges, the explosives were powerful enough to bring down a plane. Officials are still trying to determine the intended targets – the planes carrying the bombs or the institutions to which they were mailed.
SCN is “closely monitoring the situation,” said Goldenberg, who is in Chicago working with Homeland Security.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
