The security arm of the Jewish federations network is intensifying training to resist cyber attacks in the wake of a wave of such attacks on synagogue websites.

“In the most recent round of cyber-attacks against American Jewish websites on November 23rd, upwards of fifty (50) synagogue websites were hacked and linked to anti-Semitic websites,” said a memo distributed Wednesday by Paul Goldenberg, the director of the Secure Community Network, an affiliate of the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

“A group referring to themselves as Moroccan Ghosts claimed credit and has reportedly hacked dozens of Israeli and American websites,” Goldenberg said. “The Facebook page of Moroccan Ghosts includes graphics reading ‘Free Palestine,’ as well as an Israeli flag ripped in half and on fire.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

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

Email(Required)

Because of these attacks as well as other attacks over the summer, including a March attack by “Anonymous” on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee website and an attack in August on a Pennsylvania Jewish day camp website, SCN is “ramping up” its training, the memo said.

“This training effort will ensure IT professionals are provided with the proper tools, processes, technology recommendations and cyber security protective measures and defenses to increase their cyber security posture,” it said.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount