Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 1 April 2024

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

A deep-dive into online antisemitism

The J-Wire article states:

“Jewish people are scared. A hostile environment has been created in which targeting Jews seems to be once again acceptable.

This environment includes instances of harassment and abuse in the streets, and rising levels of antisemitic hate crimes in countries around the world. Most Jewish people, however, are experiencing it through a constant stream of online hate, the “antisemitism 2.0” that normalises the hatred and targeting of Jews in society.

A new report from the Online Hate Prevention Institute (Australia) and Online Hate Task Force (Belgium) gives the most comprehensive picture yet of online antisemitism in the world after the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack and the resulting war. Drawing on almost 3,000 items of data, each assessed by experts, the research examines antisemitism across ten social media platforms and twenty-seven specific types of antisemitism.

…

For too many people today, as David Baddiel put it, it seems Jews Don’t Count. As a society, we can’t accept that. Not when the evidence (see https://ohpi.org.au/afteroct7/) is so clearly put in front of us.”

PDF of Online Hate Prevention Institute (Australia) and Online Hate Task Force (Belgium) report: Online_Antisemitism_After_October_7.pdf (ohpi.org.au)

Related Items:

• S. Department of Education Launches Government Coordinating Council to Strengthen Cybersecurity in Schools
• Education Dept. launches council to stop K-12 cyberattacks

Analyst Comments:

Review of the J-Wire article and Online Hate Prevention Institute and Online Hate Task Force report can provide Faith-Based Organizations with an understanding of online antisemitism. The online hate may influence someone to carry out a cyber or physical attack.

Fire Incidents Continue to Impact Houses of Worship

Fire as a weapon, arson, and accidental fires continue to impact Faith-Based Organization, their houses of worship, and other facilities.

Brooklyn rabbi among 5 people hurt in kitchen fire above synagogue

CBS News reports:

“Five people were hurt, two critically, when a fire broke out early Friday morning at an apartment above a synagogue in Brooklyn.

Firefighters responded around 6:15 a.m. to 60th Street between 18th and 19th avenues in Mapleton. Investigators say it was an accidental kitchen fire that started inside a second floor apartment.

…

A rabbi and another resident from the second floor were hospitalized, along with three people from the third floor, who had to be rescued through a window with a ladder and bucket because thick smoke was blocking any other way out.”

Church in SF’s Mission District damaged in possible arson on Good Friday

KRON 4 reports:

“A San Francisco church was damaged in the early hours of Good Friday by a fire, the San Francisco Fire Department said. The church remains structurally sound and there were no injuries.

People who run Saint John the Evangelist Episcopal Church believe the fire was a case of arson. SFFD could not confirm that, saying the cause of the fire remains under investigation.”

Brooklyn church hit by huge fire during Easter Sunday mass

ABC 7 reports:

“The fire destroyed the rectory section of the building – which is more like classrooms and office space than a clergy residence. The actual church where services are held is in better shape thanks to firefighters who took steps to keep the flames from spreading.

Before the fire raged to five alarms — taking about two hundred firefighters and four hours to get under control – a congregation was gathered inside the Bushwick church to celebrate the 1 p.m. Easter mass in Spanish, led by Fr. Romulo Marin.”

Trailer hauling Bibles intentionally set on fire on Easter Sunday in Wilson County

News Channel 5 in Tennessee reports on the theft and arson fire of a trailer full of bibles:

“Investigations are underway after a suspicious trailer fire in Wilson County on Easter Sunday.

…

Early investigations, led by the WSCO, show that the trailer was full of Bibles. Officials believe that the trailer was intentionally dropped off in the middle of the intersection and intentionally set on fire. No injuries have been reported following the incident.”

Analyst Comments:

The FB-ISAO’s Daily Awareness Post Blog (DAP) regularly reports on fires involving Faith-Based Organizations. The 22 January 2024 Daily Awareness Post reported on five fire incidents.

The 30 November 2023 Daily Awareness Post highlighted multiple instances of arson attacks against houses of worship. The DAP also presented protective measures and provided links to resources. Faith-Based Organizations should consider reviewing these protective measures to improve their security posture.