By Sam Kestenbaum February 16, 2017

The hashtag #Jewish48 was spreading across the Jewish twittersphere Thursday, a reference to a spate of recent telephone bomb threats delivered to 48 Jewish community centers.

The wave of social media activism comes on the heels of President Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — during which Trump dodged a question about rising American anti-Semitism.

This encounter seems to have sparked a renewed interest in the anti-Semitic threats — and the feeling that they have been underreported.

Antisemitism Notebook

Your weekly guide through the news and the noise of how rising antisemitism and disputes over how to address it are shaping American Jewish life.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“’Telephone terrorism’ has rattled 48 Jewish centers,” television host Jake Tapper tweeted and asked: “Is anyone paying attention?”

48 Jewish centers threatened. GET THIS TRENDING! RAISE AWARENESS! Crimes against Jews get too often swept under the rug.

— Kornelius Krach (@HanzoBojaf) February 16, 2017

Some Jews took to Twitter to share their own experiences of anti-Semitism, including a member of one of the community centers targeted.

Our Jewish Comm Center was one of the 48. Mr Trump: fix this problem YOU flamed the fires of. #48Jewish https://t.co/SYXeRW2gfL

— Rick (@RicknShira) February 16, 2017

#48jewish centers received bomb threats. In newportbeach I saw #Nazigraffiti in the bathroom, swastika 88 star of David crossed out scary

— Deb Townes (@deblovesdolphin) February 16, 2017

Email Sam Kestenbaum at [email protected]

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount