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Friday, March 31, 2017
Vol. 5, No. 13
PAGE 3
PAGE 6
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Arrest of bomb threat suspect brings relief
DANCE AROUND THE WORLD
JCC director and local politician surprised suspect is Jewish BY M A X Z A H N The executive director of the Mid-Island Y JCC and a local politician in Roslyn applauded the arrest last Thursday of a suspect in connection with a rash of bomb threats at Jewish community centers across the United States. The suspect, a 19-year-old Jewish man who lives in Israel but retains dual U.S. citizenship, was detained by Israeli police. The community is “extremely happy to hear that somebody was caught,� said Rick Lewis, the executive director of the Mid-Island Y JCC in Plainview, one of several JCCs that received bomb threats on Feb. 27. “It’s just a horrible thing to do.� Arnold Drucker, the Nassau County legislator representing Plainview and parts of Roslyn, echoed Lewis’ relief at the arrest. “It’s certainly comforting that police and authorities were able to locate and arrest someone re-
sponsible for some of the threats,â€? Drucker said. According to the Anti-Defamation League, there have been more than 150 bomb threats against Jewish community centers and day schools in 37 states and two Canadian provinces since Jan. 9. Israeli police called the arrested man a primary suspect, according to Newsday. Law enforcement oďŹƒcials have not said whether the suspect was responsible for the threat to the Mid-Island Y JCC. Lewis said he was “very surprisedâ€? the suspect was Jewish. “I’m disappointed that it was a Jewish person but more disappointed that anybody could consider the disruption that he caused to any organization or any group of people,â€? Lewis said. Drucker said he was similarly astonished about the suspect’s religious identity. “I was shocked that a Jewish person would be responsible for Continued on Page 65
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROSLYN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Roslyn Middle School students, faculty and staff enjoyed a cultural performance called “Dance Around the World.� See story on page 55.
Tax hike not required in Roslyn school budget don’t think that’s the wisest move. The district’s $107.8 milThe Roslyn school district lion proposed budget would could leave property taxes increase spending about 2 perat in its 2017-18 budget, but cent from the current year, but some school board members would not require a tax hike to
BY N O A H MANSKAR
fund all current programs and some new ones, Joseph Dragone, the assistant superintendent for business and administration, said at last Thursday’s school board meeting. Continued on Page 64
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