Extra Minneapolis police patrols planned for synagogues after Temple Israel gets threats

“It’s not progressive nor inclusive to target any group of people for hate. It is ignorant. And every one of us, regardless of your ideology or background, should be calling that out as problematic, as hateful and as not having a place in our city.”

Temple Israel Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman said she is sending a message to her congregation “to assure them that we truly feel proud to be Jewish, proud to be a Jewish community in Minneapolis, and proud to have a heritage that is strong and vibrant and beautiful.”

“Every religious community should be able to worship without fear, especially on the holiest days of their year,” she said. “A threat to any religious community is a threat to all of us.”

O’Hara said he expects protests over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza will continue and that those First Amendment activities will be protected.

“However, we absolutely will not tolerate threats of violence against members of our Jewish community,” he said. “We will not tolerate acts of destruction against property in this city, and we want everyone to know that we will ensure that all houses of worship for people of all faiths will be places where they can be safe.”