York, Harrisburg JCCs evacuated after bomb threats

(York) — The York Jewish Community Center had been closed and evacuated Monday morning following an “emergency situation,” according to JCC spokeswoman Melissa Plotkin.

The center reopened shortly after noon.

York County 911 reported “police activity” in the area, and officers told drivers that the facility was closed.

JCC member Rachel Kohr said that children at the center have been safely evacuated and relocated to York Suburban High School.

Plotkin would not say what the nature of the emergency was, as JCC’s in a number of locations nationwide reported bomb threats Monday morning.

“Everyone is safe and accounted for,” Plotkin said.

“The JCC did a great job, along with Suburban’s administration,” said Kristen Bardolf, who picked up her young son from York Suburban. “So, whoever did it, they won from the standpoint of inconveniencing people, but we’re not going to be afraid.”

The York Jewish Community Center has been closed and evacuated following an “emergency situation,” according to JCC spokeswoman Melissa Plotkin.

Bardolf said despite recent threats to other Jewish community centers nationwide, she plans to keep her son there and will not “let the hate win.”

The Harrisburg JCC also received threats and had been evacuated, according to WGAL.

The director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg confirmed that they received a bomb threat, WGAL reports. Around 200 people were evacuated.

In a statement, Governor Tom Wolf said: “Any anti-Semitic act or act of intimidation aimed at Jewish institutions and people in Pennsylvania is truly reprehensible and we must find those responsible and hold them accountable. This is not who we are as Americans or Pennsylvanians. We will not take these threats and acts lightly and I have asked the Pennsylvania State Police and Office of Homeland Security to offer their full resources towards protecting these institutions and finding those responsible.”

In North Carolina, The Citizen-Times reports that the Asheville JCC received a bomb threat about 9:30 a.m., one of several called in to Jewish community centers around the country.