BRIGHTON, N.Y. -- A bomb threat emailed to the Jewish Community Center led to the evacuation and closure of the building on Edgewood Avenue in Brighton.
Police arrived around 6 a.m. Tuesday, conducted a sweep of the 180,000 square foot building and deemed it safe. There were about 75 people inside at the time of the evacuation.
About four hours later, the JCC reopened.
Brighton Police Chief Mark Henderson says an investigation with the FBI continues to try and find the person behind the threats. Henderson said the threat was emailed to the official work inbox of an employee, and not phoned in.
Allen Platt meets with a group of fellow retirees here every Tuesday.
"It's unbelievable that after thousands of years of living on this planet that we still can't seem to get along. It just takes your breath away," said Platt, Brighton resident.
"No question we're on edge, I'm on edge," said Tobie Olsan, Brighton resident. "I think when I talk to other members here, they're a little on edge, but we're committed to living our life freely in the United States and a democracy so we come here, and like I said, I've been coming here for over 20 years.
Gov. Cuomo is calling on the New York State Police to help investigate this and other threats made toward Jewish community centers and Anti-Defamation League offices around the country.
"We're open for business, this doesn't shut us down, it's important that we all stick together," said Arnie Sohinki, JCC executive director. "The support from the community has been tremendous and we can't rely on one type of thing like this to close anything down and we appreciate all the support we've been getting from everybody in the community."
That support includes a sect of the Muslim faith. Imam Hamid Malik of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community says he condems this act and stands in unity with his Jewish brothers and sisters.
"This is an act of terroriosm because these people, whoever is doing this, is trying to spread terror in our peaceful society. To think this is happening in Rochester is unconscionable," Malik said.