Nov. 26 (UPI) — A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Jews and bomb synagogues amid an increase in threats directed at the Jewish community over Israel’s war in Gaza.
John Reardon, 59, of Millis, Mass., located about 30 miles southwest of Boston, pleaded guilty Monday to leaving threatening voicemails for Massachusetts synagogues and a Jewish organization early this year, the Justice Department said in a statement.
According to federal prosecutors, Reardon made the phone calls on Jan. 25, first to the Congregation Agudas Achim, an Attleboro synagogue, and then to another unidentified synagogue and a Jewish organization.
Excerpts of the two-minute voicemail that Reardon left for the Congregation Agudas Achim were reproduced in court documents, showing he threatened its members with lethal violence in retaliation for Israel’s war in Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
He told the synagogue, “by supporting genocide, that means it’s OK for people to commit genocide against you,” and that “with supporting the killing of innocent little children, that means it’s OK to kill your children.”
“I supported Jewish people though. Not anymore. A matter of fact, I think we should kill you(s) all,” he said, according to excerpts of the call reproduced by the Justice Department.
“Have a lousy day and, oh, don’t be surprised if there’s pig blood on your steps tomorrow.”
Prosecutors also said that between Oct. 7, 2023 — when the Israel-Hamas war began — and Jan. 29, the day of Reardon’s arrest, he made 98 calls to the Israeli Consulate in Boston, many of which included statements the Justice Department described as “intended to harass or intimidate.”
“This defendant’s threats to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children stoked fear in the hearts of congregants at a time when Jews are already facing a disturbing increase in threats,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
“No person and no community in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence.”
Reardon made the calls amid spiking threats targeting members of the U.S. Jewish community.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, there were more than 10,000 anti-semitic incidents across the United States during the first 12 months of the war, marking a 200% increase compared to the same period a year earlier.
Of those incidents, more than 8,000 were verbal or written harassment, the U.S.-based Jewish organization said.
A sentencing hearing for Reardon is to be scheduled at a later date. Of the three counts he pleaded guilty to, the obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force carries the most severe penalty, with a potential maximum 20 years in prison.
Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day for 55 cities and towns across Massachusetts.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at most locations. Click here to find your polling place.
Here’s a look at what’s on the ballot in some notable municipal elections.
Mayor Michelle Wu is unopposed in her bid for a second term after winning big in the preliminary election over Josh Kraft, who then dropped out of the race
Incumbent city councilors-at-large Erin Murphy, Henry Santana, Ruthzee Louijeune and Julia Mejia are running for re-election, while former City Council Frank Baker is trying to make a comeback.
In District 7, Rev. Miniard Culpepper and Said “Coach” Ahmed are running for the seat vacated by former Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who pleaded guilty to public corruption charges.
Incumbent Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne ran for re-election, but did not advance past the preliminary stage. Two city councilors, Democratic socialist Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson are facing off. According to Axios Boston, Burnley Jr. would be Somerville’s first Black, openly queer and polyamorous mayor.
Carlo DeMaria has been the mayor of Everett since 2008. He is running against City Councilor Robert Van Campen, who has highlighted an Inspector General report that said DeMaria was improperly paid $180,000 in “longevity payments.” DeMaria has said he was entitled to receive annual salary adjustments.
Incumbent Brian De Pena is facing off against Juan “Manny” Gonzalez in the mayor’s race.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin’s office said it will be monitoring the election after “numerous complaints” about absentee ballot applications.
Brockton voters will make history by electing City Councilor Jean Bradley Derenoncourt or City Councilor Moises Rodrigues as the city’s first mayor of color.
Melrose residents are voting on three override options to fund city and school services, ranging between $9.3 million and $13.5 million. Property taxes would increase on average between $948 and $1,374 for homeowners. The highest dollar amount that receives a majority of votes would take effect.
Below are the cities and towns holding elections on Tuesday, according to the secretary of the Commonwealth:
The 2025 Massachusetts high school football playoffs begin on Friday, November 7, and go into Saturday, November 8, with 64 games in the round of 16.
High School On SI has brackets division in the Massachusetts high school playoffs.
No. 1 Nashoba Valley Tech vs. No. 16 Sabis International – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 8 Frontier Regional vs. No. 9 KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 4 Randolph vs. No. 13 Oxford – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 5 Hoosac Valley vs. No. 12 Blackstone-Millville – 11/08 at 12:00 p.m.
No. 2 Lee vs. No. 15 Narragansett Regional – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 7 Cathedral vs. No. 10 Prouty – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 3 West Boylston vs. No. 14 Bartlett – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 6 Bourne vs. No. 11 Lynn Vo-Tech – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 1 Cohasset vs. No. 16 Leicester – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 8 Rockland vs. No. 9 Tyngsborough – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 4 Northbridge vs. No. 13 Seekonk – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 5 Manchester Essex vs. No. 12 Millbury – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 2 Amesbury vs. No. 15 South Hadley – 11/07 at 6:30 p.m.
No. 7 Uxbridge vs. No. 10 Blue Hills RVT – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 3 West Bridgewater vs. No. 14 St. Bernard’s Central Catholic – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 6 Clinton vs. No. 11 Mashpee – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 1 Norwell vs. No. 16 Case – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 8 Pentucket Regional vs. No. 9 Nantucket – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 4 Wilmington vs. No. 13 Old Rochester Regional – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 5 Hudson vs. No. 12 Bellingham – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 2 Abington vs. No. 15 Triton Regional – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 7 Bishop Fenwick vs. No. 10 Medway – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 3 Fairhaven vs. No. 14 East Bridgewater – 11/07 at 6:30 p.m.
No. 6 Stoneham vs. No. 11 Winthrop – 11/07 at 6:30 p.m.
No. 1 Shawsheen Valley Tech vs. No. 16 Salem – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 8 St. Mary’s vs. No. 9 Greater Lawrence Tech – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 4 Medfield vs. No. 13 Northeast Metro RVT – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 5 North Reading vs. No. 12 Marlborough – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 2 Foxborough vs. No. 15 Norton – 11/07 at 6:30 p.m.
No. 7 Gloucester vs. No. 10 Auburn – 11/07 at 6:30 p.m.
No. 3 Hanover vs. No. 14 Weston – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 6 Archbishop Williams vs. No. 11 Swampscott – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 1 Scituate vs. No. 16 Tantasqua Regional – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 8 Bedford vs. No. 9 Walpole – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 4 Duxbury vs. No. 13 Holliston – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 5 Burlington vs. No. 12 Dartmouth – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 2 Tewksbury Memorial vs. No. 15 Middleborough – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 7 Ashland vs. No. 10 Danvers – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 3 Canton vs. No. 14 Wakefield Memorial – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 6 Marblehead vs. No. 11 Shepherd Hill Regional – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 1 King Philip Regional vs. No. 16 Chicopee Comp – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 8 Mansfield vs. No. 9 Plymouth South – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 4 Hingham vs. No. 13 Minnechaug Regional – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 5 Marshfield vs. No. 12 Malden Catholic – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 2 Barnstable vs. No. 15 Doherty Memorial – 11/07 at 6:30 p.m.
No. 7 North Attleborough vs. No. 10 Milford – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 3 Milton vs. No. 14 Reading Memorial – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 6 Masconomet Regional vs. No. 11 Melrose – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 1 Catholic Memorial — BYE
No. 8 Wellesley vs. No. 9 Plymouth North – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 4 Winchester vs. No. 13 North Quincy – 11/07 at 6:30 p.m.
No. 5 Lincoln-Sudbury vs. No. 12 Concord-Carlisle – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 2 Bishop Feehan — BYE
No. 7 Quincy vs. No. 10 Chelmsford – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 3 Bridgewater-Raynham vs. No. 14 Woburn Memorial – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 6 Billerica Memorial vs. No. 11 Beverly – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 1 St. John’s Prep vs. No. 16 Framingham – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 8 Leominster vs. No. 9 Franklin – 11/07 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 4 Natick vs. No. 13 Weymouth – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 5 Central Catholic vs. No. 12 St. John’s – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 2 Central vs. No. 15 Taunton – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 7 Methuen vs. No. 10 Lowell – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 3 Xaverian Brothers vs. No. 14 Brockton – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
No. 6 Wachusett Regional vs. No. 11 Andover – 11/07 at 6:00 p.m.
Find all the scores here. Final football conference standings live here. We also have final boys’ and girls’ soccer standings. Today’s headlines:
▪ It was the biggest win of the day, and a monumental one for St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre, who notched his 100th career win with a 43-28 defeat of No. 3 Catholic Memorial. St. Pierre is in his 12th season at the helm of his alma mater, where he was named Gatorade Player of the Year and quarterbacked the Eagles to a 1997 Super Bowl title before going on to play at Boston College and earn a fifth-round draft selection to the NFL, where he played for four teams in an eight-year career.
He is the third coach in Prep history to reach 100 wins, joining Fred Glatz and Jim O’Leary.
▪ Andover senior Naomi Vajda recorded her 100th career block among three rejections in a 3-0 Division 1 first-round girls’ volleyball win over Boston Latin. Vajda added six kills and four aces.
▪ Despite an 0-5 start, Brockton rallied to win the Big Three Conference with a 23-0 blanking of Durfee, which came a week after they destroyed New Bedford, 41-0. Casey Rhodes, Marcio Semedo, and Jarred Mighty scored Saturday as the Boxers (3-5, 2-0) also punched their ticket to the Division 1 tournament.
▪ With a 31-28 win over Loomis Chaffee, Avon Old Farms (Conn.) wrapped up an undefeated season (8-0) and captured the Founders League title.
▪ Nobles boys’ soccer defeated Brooks, 3-1, to secure the Independent School League crown.
▪ Minuteman boys’ soccer dispensed with McCann Tech, 5-1, to win the State Vocational Small School championship. The Greater New Bedford boys defeated Greater Lowell, 3-0, for the Large School title.
Congratulations to our Boys ⚽️ Team for reclaiming the seat a top Vocational Boys Soccer with the 2025 State Vocational Championship. The team defeated Gr Lowell 3-0 pic.twitter.com/8atj06V8kp
— GNBVT Athletics (@GNBVTathletics) November 2, 2025
Ellis Barnes, BB&N — The senior defensive back, who is committed to Columbia, came up big for the Knights in a 17-7 NEPSAC win over St. Paul’s (N.H.), picking off two passes and making seven tackles.
Peter Bourque, Tabor — A regular in this space, the Michigan-bound quarterback showed off his legwork in the second half, rushing for three touchdowns in a come-from-behind 39-21 NEPSAC win over St. Sebastian’s. The junior QB finished with 232 passing yards and five total touchdowns.
Andrew Kiricoples, Bishop Fenwick — The sophomore threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for a third score in a 34-6 Catholic Central League road win.
Elai Machado, KIPP — The 6-foot-4-inch junior quarterback ran for touchdowns of 15, 45, and 40 yards, and tossed a 20-yard scoring strike for the Panthers in a 41-6 Commonwealth Conference win over Lowell Catholic.
Jalen Morris, Rivers — The biggest rushing performance of the day belonged to the junior, who took 23 carries for 259 yards and four scores in a 47-6 NEPSAC win over Governor’s.
Brady Shuffain, Sharon — The junior had himself a day, throwing for 381 yards and four touchdowns in a 46-6 win over Fitchburg that featured several big performances, including Matt Khrakovsky’s 207 rushing yards and three scores and Joseph Seaman’s 119 receiving yards and two TDs.
Jake Strojny, Roxbury Latin — The senior quarterback combined three passing TDs with one on the ground to beat St. George’s, 30-0, in NEPSAC action.
Here’s betting Classical (R.I.) senior Bam Adebayo had quite the interesting Saturday morning.
The 6-foot, 160-pound cornerback/safety posted that he got his first preferred walk-on offer from URI. No doubt a big moment. A chance to play Division 1 football in his homestate.
Then Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell took notice, quote-tweeting the post and tagging Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo, who ironically, uses the X handle @Bam1of1.
“Congrats bro!! Keep working” Mitchell wrote.
Brady Shuffain, Sharon, 381
Chris Vargas, St. John’s Prep, 268
Peter Bourque, Tabor, 232
Andrew Kiricoples, Bishop Fenwick, 192
Brady Shuffain, Sharon, 4
Chris Vargas, St. John’s Prep, 4
Jake Strojny, Roxbury Latin, 3
Peter Bourque, Tabor, 2
Andrew Kiricoples, Bishop Fenwick, 2
Jalen Morris, Rivers, 259
Matt Khrakovsky, Sharon, 207
Dylan Patturelli, Bishop Fenwick, 142
Aavian Peña, KIPP, 116
Zack Deschenes, Nashoba Valley Tech, 4
Jalen Morris, Rivers, 4
Peter Bourque, Tabor, 3
Matt Khrakovsky, Sharon, 3
Elia Machado, KIPP, 3
Ryan Beede, Northeast, 2
Xavier Hairston, Taft, 2
Ziah Herring, Greater Lawrence, 2
Joel LaChapelle, Northbridge, 2
Dylan Patturelli, Bishop Fenwick, 2
Nikki Santos, Cambridge, 130
Riley Selvais, St. John’s Prep, 130
Joseph Seaman, Sharon, 119
Riley Selvais, St. John’s Prep, 2
Jordi Higgins, Bishop Feehan, 4
Alexa Heller, Wellesley, 2
Sydney Kim, Wellesley, 2
Annie Liebhoff, Rivers, 2
Ciara Maloney, Medway, 2
Lauren Mattia, Lynnfield, 2
Olivia McCormick, Hanover, 2
Natalie McMenamy, Medway, 2
Effie Parsons, St. Mary’s, 2
Caroline Vaughan, Andover, 2
Jordi Higgins, Bishop Feehan, 4
Bridgette McGinnis, Bishop Feehan, 3
Julie Hall, Central Catholic, 25
Tess Madden, Hanover, 22
Erin Root, Old Rochester, 14
Mia Milani, Bellingham, 13
Lila Arkinstall, Wakefield, 12
Victoria Reposa, Reading, 12
Mia Kenny, Wakefield, 11
Lila Moniz, Marblehead, 11
Anna Fernandez, Westford, 10
Bonnie Politzer, Chelmsford, 10
Sadie Stants, Needham, 10
Jessie Wang, Andover, 10
Kyra Ward, Chelmsford, 10
Elizabeth Willis, East Bridgewater, 10
Madison Blanchet, Central Catholic, 38
Maya Morrison, Old Rochester, 37
Sadie Chadwick, Hanover, 35
Eva Burke, Marblehead, 29
Bella Lee, Needham, 27
Ellen Griswold, Chelmsford, 25
Erin Bigham, Canton, 24
Tori Grace, Wakefield, 18
Gianna Miceli, Reading, 16
Addison Parent, Somerset Berkley, 14
Cara Carangelo, Wakefield, 33
Julie Hall, Central Catholic, 20
Soley Rodriguez Martinez, Canton, 7
Sophia Soto, Bellingham, 14
Sydney Faris, Marblehead, 13
Olivia Lesswing, Haverhill, 10
Ryleigh Brown, Somerset Berkley, 9
Erin Bigham, Canton, 8
Addison Parent, Somerset Berkley, 8
Kaitlyn Pepin, Westford, 6
Kaely Dos Santos, Somerset Berkley, 5
Piper Newell, Old Rochester, 4
Katie Ferrara, Somerset Berkley, 3
Mary Furey, Reading, 3
Norah Schweitzer, Westford, 3
Naomi Vajda, Andover, 3
Ellen Griswold, Chelmsford, 7
Bella Lee, Needham, 7
Bonnie Politzer, Chelmsford, 7
Faith Najem, Whitinsville Christian, 6
Claire Zhang, Andover, 6
Brie Cairns, Chelmsford, 5
Alicia Marcal, Chelmsford, 5
Kaitlyn Pepin, Westford, 5
Dylan Poirier, Hanover, 5
Sophia Soto, Bellingham, 5
Kyra Ward, Chelmsford, 5
Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie.
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