Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 17 July 2026

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.

EXCLUSIVE: US Jewish leaders receive threatening and vulgar, handwritten letter at their homes

Multiple American Jewish Committee (AJC) organizational leaders have reportedly received anonymous handwritten letters containing graphic imagery, explicit threats, and antisemitic rhetoric at their private residences. According to an AJC leader who spoke anonymously for security reasons, the envelope was personally addressed by hand, indicating the sender had access to the recipients’ home addresses. While no physical attacks have been linked to the letters, the use of personal home addresses and threatening language is part of a continuing pattern of intimidation directed at Jewish community leadership.

Analyst Comments: This incident underscores that threats against faith-based communities are not limited to physical facilities. Religious leaders and organizational staff may also face targeted harassment at their homes, where security measures are often less robust and the psychological impact can be significant.

Faith-based organizations can reduce risk by:

• Preserving all envelopes, letters, and packaging as potential evidence rather than discarding them, to report to local law enforcement or, where appropriate, the FBI.
• Reviewing the public availability of leadership contact information and home addresses, particularly through organizational websites, public records, and social media.
• Incorporating targeted harassment, doxxing, and threats directed at leadership into security and crisis response planning, recognizing that intimidation campaigns may extend beyond the organization’s physical location.

PA: Suspect in Philly Mosque fire showed anti-Islamic views before attack, feds say

Federal authorities have arrested a 60-year-old Philadelphia man in connection with a July 5^th arson attack at the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center. According to court documents, surveillance footage captured a masked individual igniting what investigators described as a suspected improvised incendiary device to the building, though no injuries were reported after a passerby helped prevent the flames from spreading. Authorities identified the suspect through multiple investigative leads, including surveillance footage, cellphone location data, and reports that he drove a vehicle displaying handwritten anti-Islamic messages. Furthermore, following the attack, a Facebook account believed to belong to the suspect reportedly commented on surveillance footage of the incident, writing, “How can it be a hate crime? They might have done it out of love… Love for country and love for the children of the neighborhood.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) emphasized that “ATF places a priority on investigating houses of worship fires,” reflecting the seriousness with which attacks targeting religious institutions are treated.

Analyst Comments: Houses of worship remain potential targets for motivated arson attacks, reinforcing the importance of recognizing potential warning signs before an incident occurs. Proactive fire prevention measures, effective surveillance, and prompt reporting of suspicious activity can reduce opportunities for arson, improve emergency response, and support investigations if an attack occurs.

Faith-based organizations can:

• Encourage staff and congregants to report suspicious activity, especially individuals loitering near the property or after hours.
• Ensure surveillance cameras adequately cover building entrances, parking areas, and other exterior spaces where a fire could be started.
• Regularly inspect the property for combustible materials, secure flammable items and storage areas, and maintain fire detection and suppression systems.
• Coordinate with local fire departments and law enforcement to review emergency response procedures and report suspicious activity.
• Incorporate arson scenarios into emergency plans and conduct exercises that address evacuation, fire response, and post-incident recovery.

ICYMI: FB-ISAO’s 2025 Threat Data Report | Vandalism, Violence, Arson, Active Shooters, Cyber Attacks, and More: Understanding Today’s Threats to Houses of Worship Across All Faith Communities

Houses of worship and faith‑based organizations are facing increasing levels of hostility, from vandalism and arson to active‑shooter events, bomb threats, hate‑motivated violence, and cyber-attacks on their systems and data. Join the Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization for a focused review of the much-anticipated cumulative threat data on attacks and incidents impacting churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other houses of worship during 2025.

During this session, Ed Heyman and Ross Moore will:

• Walk through key statistics from recent incidents impacting houses of worship and faith‑based organizations, including vandalism, arson, threats, and violence.
• Highlight notable hate‑motivated and extremist attacks against religious institutions and how those trends are evolving across time and different faith traditions.
• Review recent cyber incidents affecting faith‑based organizations – such as ransomware campaigns and online harassment – and discuss common entry points and vulnerabilities.
• Discuss practical implications for security planning, training, and partnership with law enforcement, emergency management, and community organizations.
• Point to free tools, templates, and grant programs that can help congregations strengthen their security posture and preparedness without overwhelming budgets or staff.

This presentation is designed for clergy, executive leaders, safety, security, and intelligence team members, board members, and anyone responsible for protecting the people, facilities, and ministries of a faith‑based organization. No advanced technical background is required; the focus is on clear, plain‑language insight into current threats and realistic steps faith communities can take to reduce risk.

The webinar will take place on 22 July 2026 at 12:00 PM ET, when we’ll unpack what the data is telling us and what leaders should be watching now. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of current trends, risk drivers, and practical steps to strengthen security, preparedness, and resilience in their own communities.

Register here  : This is a members-only event.