'We will remain vigilant': Threat against NJ synagogues 'mitigated,' governor says

The threat against New Jersey synagogues has been "mitigated," Gov. Phil Murphy said on Friday, a day after the FBI investigated what it called credible information.

"While this specific threat may be mitigated, we know this remains a tense time for our Jewish communities who are facing a wave of anti-Semitic activity," Murphy said in a statement. "We will not be indifferent. We will remain vigilant. We will take any and every threat with the utmost seriousness and we will stand up and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish congregations."

The FBI on Friday confirmed that the source of the threat "no longer poses a danger to the community." No further specifics were provided.

On Thursday, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin coordinated with the state police, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, prosecutors' offices in all 21 counties and law enforcement to secure patrols in what he called "sensitive areas."

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Congregations through the area on Thursday tried to carry on while remaining vigilant.

Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, called for vigilance, saying if any threat proves true, the prudence of Jewish people and the law enforcement community could prevent an "ugly incident."

Some rabbis accepted heightened security and refused to cancel services: "We can't go crazy every time we hear something like this," said one leader of a New Jersey synagogue who declined to be named.

Rabbi Chaim Poupko of Englewood's Congregation Ahavath Torah said he would not cancel upcoming services. Ernesto Morillo, chief of police in South Orange, advised all synagogues in the municipality to hold services via Zoom.

"We are as prepared as we can be for an unknown," said Shames, who lamented the anxiety visited upon Jewish people amid ongoing threats to their safety and houses of worship. "It’s the disdain for the unknown. It’s the disdain for the hate."

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office on Friday said it will keep an increased law enforcement presence.

Check back for more on this developing story.