Evacuation at Bergen County Temple Following Bomb Threat Hoax
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — Authorities evacuated over 100 children and staff from Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes on Sunday following an emailed bomb threat hoax. The incident unfolded as multiple houses of worship across New Jersey reported similar threats.
A staff member alerted the police after receiving the menacing email around 9:50 a.m. at the temple located on Route 208 South. The police swiftly evacuated the temple, ensuring the safety of approximately 100 individuals present inside.
Responding officers from Franklin Lakes and neighboring areas, assisted by the Bergen County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, conducted thorough interior and exterior checks of the temple. These inspections yielded no evidence of danger. As of early Monday, no arrests had been reported.
The investigation into the source and credibility of the threat remains ongoing. The incident is part of a broader pattern of emailed bomb threats targeting religious institutions across the state.
The Barnert Memorial Temple, a Reform Jewish synagogue located in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, serves as the home of the Congregation B’nai Jeshurun (Children of the Upright). This congregation has a rich history that dates back to its founding in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1847. In 1987, the congregation shifted to its current location in Franklin Lakes.
The temple’s name holds historical significance, tracing back to its original edifice at Broadway and Straight Street in Paterson. This landmark was named in honor of Miriam Barnert, the spouse of Nathan Barnert. Nathan Barnert was not only a prominent local real estate developer but also served as the Mayor of Paterson. He dedicated the building as a memorial to his wife.
However, the original building in Paterson underwent a significant transformation. In 1970, it was deconsecrated and repurposed into a warehouse, marking a new chapter in the physical legacy of the Barnert Memorial Temple, even as the congregation continued its traditions and activities in Franklin Lakes.