'Despicable' Bomb Threat Made Against West Hartford Synagogue

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A local synagogue was among many synagogues in New England targeted with a bomb threat this week, drawing condemnation from West Hartford's elected leaders.

State Sen. Derek Slap, D-West Hartford, and U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, issued strong condemnations Friday regarding the incident.

Citing the Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, the Hartford Courant reported that the synagogue was one of many in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont receiving threatening e-mails.

In a statement on Friday, Slap condemned the bomb threat received by Congregation Beth Israel, which is located on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford.

He said the targeted synagogues in the three states were hit with a non-specific bomb threat via email.

Slap said West Hartford police responded immediately to the incident, and the congregation has declared there is no substantiated threat at this time.

A father-son terrorist team Dec. 14 shot up a large Hanukkah celebration at a park in Australia, killing 15 people.

With that in mind, Slap had harsh words for the bomb threat against the West Hartford synagogue.

“This is yet another example of a vile rise in anti-Semitism across the globe, as we saw in Australia last week, and right here in our backyard. For this attack to happen at all, let alone during Hanukkah, is extremely disturbing. I stand firmly with our Jewish neighbors and friends, and I hope their celebration remains a reminder of the strength of community and the triumph of light over darkness," said Slap in a statement.

"These types of threats are the latest example of why the nonprofit security grant program I created in 2019 is so important, and we must continue to invest in it.”

Larson had similar sentiments, calling the bomb threat "despicable."

“This despicable bomb threat, and the rise in antisemitic intimidation targeting Jewish communities, is abhorrent,” said Larson. “Threats against synagogues are not only attacks on Jewish families – they are attacks on our shared values. I stand with Congregation Beth Israel and synagogues across our region, and I am grateful to the West Hartford Police for their swift response to keep the community safe.

"Antisemitism has no place in Connecticut, the United States of America, or anywhere across the globe. We must continue to confront and root out hate in all its forms.”

Patch reached out to West Hartford police and the synagogue for additional comment.