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Bellingham synagogue cancels services after threatening email

Bellingham synagogue cancels services after threatening email

Photo: KGMI


BELLINGHAM, WA – (KGMI.com) A Bellingham synagogue cancelled its services for a day after received a threatening email over the weekend.

Congregation Beth Israel received the email on Saturday morning, according to its President Jodi Litt, prompting the group to contact local law enforcement.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater says their investigation found the threat to be unfounded and likely a hoax.

All events for the day were still cancelled “out of an abundance of caution,” according to Litt.

Congregation Beth Israel is one of the oldest synagogues in Western Washington and has served Bellingham’s Jewish community since 1908, according to its website.

The threat comes in the midst of a rise in antisemitic incidents during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

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