Jewish community reacts to synagogue threats in Massachusetts

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Massachusetts man is facing federal charges for threats against a synagogue in Attleboro.

John Reardon, 59, of Millis, Mass. is facing up to ten years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

Reardon is facing federal charges after police say he threatened to bomb a synagogue in Attleboro on Friday, before threatening another synagogue and a Jewish organization in the area.

The disturbing claims he made were described in an affidavit from the FBI’s investigation.

Reardon was in federal court this week facing one charge of using a facility of interstate commerce to threaten a person or place with harm via an explosive.

“It’s kind of like a before and after Oct. 7,” said Stephanie Hague with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. “I’ll speak for myself, personally, it feels that way.”

Hague’s mention of Oct. 7 a reference to the Hamas attack against Israel.

“It’s kind of an awakening to…oh wait, there still is a lot of antisemitism,” Hague continued. “And it might show itself in different ways than maybe our grandparents experienced it, but it’s really there.”

A Pawtucket man was arrested for threatening a synagogue in Rhode Island back in October, and Hague says it can be exhausting seeing such threats month after month.

“Antisemitism, like any hate, is like a virus,” Hague explained. “We could come up with all the reasons about why there’s antisemitism at the same time…it just is, and it’s just bad.”

“It’s unfortunate to be Jewish and have to explain this to yourself and your kids and your community,” Hauge added.

An affidavit from the FBI officer investigating this case says Reardon has made threats like this before, writing:

“…in 2022, Reardon was investigated for leaving a threatening voicemail at a school for k-12 students in Framingham, Massachusetts. He was also charged for making violent threats to employees at a local bank in 2020.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy responded to the case, stating:

“The allegations here about the series of threats Mr. Reardon made against the Jewish community are deeply disturbing and reflect the increasing torrent of antisemitism across our country and right here in Massachusetts. The numbers do not lie — incidents of antisemitism and islamophobia are spiking.”

Hague told ABC 6 crews about several resources the Jewish Alliance has for community members dealing with the stress of these incidents, which can be found on their website.