'These things get closer and closer to home' says rabbi from synagogue that faced threat
EAST LANSING — A day after the FBI arrested a man who officials say planned a violent attack on East Lansing's Congregation Shaarey Zedek, the synagogue held a Saturday service and celebrated the work of a retiring administrator.
It made for laughter, prayer and yet another reason for the congregation to gather and, for a little while, not think about what might have happened had the FBI not acted so quickly, said Rabbi Amy Bigman. She added that, in the Jewish tradition, good things should be celebrated.
"I think people are relieved to know that this person is in custody," she said "I’m sure that some people are nervous and might not come to the synagogue, which is understandable. ... It’s stressful, there’s no doubt about that. And it’s scary to live in this world where antisemitism has been on the rise for so long."
The Anti-Defamation League, a national organization that fights antisemitism, reported that in 2022, antisemitic incidents "surged to historic levels," with 3,697 incidents across the country — a 36 percent increase over 2021. The average of 10 antisemitic incidents each day was the highest level since the organization started keeping records in 1979.
"Knowing that antisemitism is out there is something that comes with being a Jew," Bigman said. "As we've watched it over the past couple of years, it's hit close to home a number of times."
She mentioned the January 2022 incident in Texas when a man took four people hostage at Congregation Beth Israel during its Saturday morning services. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, a Lansing native whom Bigman knows, was among the hostages.
"These things get closer and closer to home," Bigman said.
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, is among the state and federal officials whom Bigman said she has reached out to in the past 24 hours. On Saturday morning, the congresswoman Tweeted out a statement.
"Once again, antisemitism & extremism have reared their head in MI & the 7th district," she wrote. "Thanks to the dedicated law enforcement, FBI, & U.S. attorneys who used some complex investigative work to identify and arrest this man before this threat cost lives.
"The rabbis of our East Lansing & Lansing synagogues are leading their congregations with steady hands, and the mayor & local law enforcement have jumped into action to ensure the community feels safe."
In a statement on Friday, the ADL commended the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement for their quick investigation and arrest. It added the arrest and news of the plans coming on the same day as the conviction for the person who carried out the 2018 massacre at Pittsburg's Tree of Life synagogue is "especially disturbing."
"It should be noted that (Saturday) is the anniversary of the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston," the statement continued. "There is a through line between that attack, Pittsburgh and the ideology espoused by the suspect in Michigan."
Seann Pietila, 19, of Pickford, was arrested on Friday and charged with transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure another, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Court records indicate he faces up to five years in federal prison and up to three years of supervised release if convicted. He's scheduled for a detention and preliminary hearing on June 22 in federal court in Grand Rapids.
He moved to Pickford in early June but told federal law enforcement that he previously lived in East Lansing with his mother. He attended Lansing's Eastern High School during the 2020-2021 school year, according to court records.
He communicated with others on social media and expressed a Neo-Nazi style ideology, antisemitism, suicidal ideologies, according to court records. He glorified past mass shooters and expressed a desire to mimic mass shootings.
Law enforcement searched his home and found a rifle, handgun, shotgun, ammunition for the weapons, "various knives and bladed instruments, scopes and firearms accessories" plus masks, tactical gear, a red and white Nazi flag and military manuals on sniper and survival skills, according to court records. A search of his phone also revealed a note that listed Congregation Shaarey Zedek, the date March 15, 2024, and a list of explosives and weapons.
“Antisemitic threats and violence against our Jewish communities — or any other group for that matter — will not be tolerated in the Western District of Michigan,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a news release. “Today and every day we take all credible threats seriously. I’m incredibly grateful to the FBI for their swift action to identify and arrest Pietila.”
Bigman said she's grateful for federal, state and local authorities for investigating and making an arrest.
She said she's also grateful for the support received from the East Lansing Police Department, other rabbis, members of the Lansing-area interfaith community and more.
"Jewish tradition is that we are all made in God’s image, regardless of religion or gender or anything," Bigman said. "We are all human beings and that’s how we should treat each other, as human beings."
Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at 517-377-1026 or mjmencarini@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattMencarini.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Rabbi of threatened EL synagogue says congregation is 'relieved' arrest made
