The Jewish Community Center in Uptown was evacuated Thursday morning after an apparent bomb threat, officials said. Officials at the center told WDSU that the threat was reported before 10 a.m. at the facility on St. Charles Avenue. Leslie Fischman, executive director of the JCC, said a receptionist received a phone call with a recording about a bomb threat. She said her staff was notified and began evacuating the building. Fischman said her staff called 911, which then notified the FBI and Homeland Security about the threat. Police determined that the building was safe within an hour, she said. The threat at the center follows other threats made to Jewish community centers around the country. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the threats are "horrible" and "painful." The FBI said it is joining with the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division to investigate "possible civil rights violations in connection with threats" to the centers. Fischman said her staff had a plan in place after more than 60 threats were reported at Jewish community centers around the country. She said everyone remained calm and safe during Thursday's incident. While the center in New Orleans takes the threats seriously, Fischman said the facility is committed to remaining a welcoming place. She said she's not deterred by anti-Semitism and hopes federal officials can put a stop to the hoaxes. Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!

The Jewish Community Center in Uptown was evacuated Thursday morning after an apparent bomb threat, officials said.

Officials at the center told WDSU that the threat was reported before 10 a.m. at the facility on St. Charles Avenue.


Leslie Fischman, executive director of the JCC, said a receptionist received a phone call with a recording about a bomb threat. She said her staff was notified and began evacuating the building.

Fischman said her staff called 911, which then notified the FBI and Homeland Security about the threat. Police determined that the building was safe within an hour, she said.

The threat at the center follows other threats made to Jewish community centers around the country. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the threats are "horrible" and "painful."

The FBI said it is joining with the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division to investigate "possible civil rights violations in connection with threats" to the centers.

Fischman said her staff had a plan in place after more than 60 threats were reported at Jewish community centers around the country. She said everyone remained calm and safe during Thursday's incident.

While the center in New Orleans takes the threats seriously, Fischman said the facility is committed to remaining a welcoming place. She said she's not deterred by anti-Semitism and hopes federal officials can put a stop to the hoaxes.

Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!