Jewish centres report bomb threats in several US states

Jewish community centres in several United States  states were evacuated on Monday after they reported receiving bomb threats, according to the organisations and national umbrella organisation, though no explosives were found and no injuries reported.

Fifteen JCCs across the United States reported the calls and all resumed normal operations by 4:30 p.m. ET (2130 GMT), after police determined there was no threat, the JCC Association of North America said in a statement.

Kaplen JCC in the New York City suburb of Tenafly, New Jersey, said on its Facebook page that it received a bomb threat in the afternoon and had reopened as of 2:00 p.m. (1900 GMT). "The police have completed a thorough sweep of the JCC and have deemed the threat not credible and the building safe," the centre said.

Bender JCC of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland, said it had also reopened after receiving a threat and being swept checked by local authorities. Other centres that received threats included ones in Miami Beach, Florida, as well as the state capitals of Jacksonville, Florida; Columbia, South Carolina; and Nashville, Tennessee, according to local media reports.

Jewish community centres typically offer after-school activities, fitness programs and an array of other services. The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is aware of the threats and is prepared to assist local authorities if asked, spokeswoman Amanda Hils said in a phone interview.