An email threat to Congregation Beth Israel forced the Bellingham synagogue to cancel its Saturday, Dec. 16 services.
Jodi Litt, president of Congregation Beth Israel, confirmed the threat in a prepared statement Saturday.
“Congregation Beth Israel received a threatening email this morning,” Litt said in an email to Cascadia Daily News. “All internal safety and security protocols were followed and law enforcement was contacted. Appropriate resources were deployed to investigate and no injuries or damage came about as a result of the incident.”
Bellingham Police Department spokesperson Megan Peters confirmed BPD is assisting with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office investigation. The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to comment.
Congregation Beth Israel is one of the oldest synagogues in Western Washington and has served Bellingham’s Jewish community since 1908, according to its website.
The synagogue had planned a Torah study at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Tot Shabbat at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck luncheon. Tot Shabbat is a service or playgroup for young children.
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a recent uptick in antisemitism and Islamophobia nationwide.
The Anti-Defamation League recorded more than 2,000 antisemitic incidents nationwide between Oct. 7 and Dec. 7, compared to 465 incidents during the same two-month period in 2022.
