Local Jewish Temple reacts to recent nationwide threats

ISHPEMING — The Jewish Community has dealt with a recent string of hate crimes nationwide. Last week, 16 gravestones were destroyed in Western New York. And according to the FBI, over 130 Jewish Community Centers received some sort of threat.

Here in the Upper Peninsula, Janet Wagner, board president of the Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming, says they have not received any kind of direct threat. Wagner’s children and grandchildren attend a Jewish Community Center in New Orleans that dealt with a bomb threat.

No bomb was found by authorities. Wagner said that specific community center is used by people of several different faiths.

“That community center serves the whole area; its Jews, Christians and Muslims. Everyone uses it,” said Wagner. “I think most of us feel there’s been an increase in antisemitism in the last several years but it’s ticked up of course within the last several months.”

The temple is in the process of transitioning to a new location in Marquette this fall. Wagner says board members have discussed the possibility of adding security measures when they do make the move.