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ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — As Molly Goldfien was getting ready to enter Jewish adulthood, a serious threat forced her to change plans.
Goldfien was about to begin her bat mitzvah when a bomb threat was sent by email to her synagogue in Attleboro, prompting an evacuation and police sweep. The same email was sent to multiple other synagogues in New England from an address outside the U.S. Fortunately, the threat was deemed not credible by police and a SWAT team.
“All the little kids were asking ‘why can’t we go in’ and nobody wanted to explain [there was] a bad thing happening,” said Goldfien.
The Evangelical Covenant Church nearby opened its doors for opening prayers while police surveyed the scene, but the sudden change was tough on Goldfien as she courageously continued the ceremony.
“I had to start the service in this church I’ve never been in in my entire life. I didn’t have my book that was all signed [and] I didn’t have my tallit,” said Goldfien.
Goldfien’s mother Kellie Ansermoz praised the work done by the officers and was grateful that the ceremony continued once the coast was clear.
“She had practiced for years, I mean children don’t just wake up and have a bat mitzvah. She rehearsed and went to classes,” said Ansermoz.
Ansermoz believed the threat was inspired by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
WBZ's Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ) reports.
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