Friday Drama: Bomb Threat at Satmar Cheider Prompts Massive Emergency Response

Yisroel R.

A frightening situation unfolded Friday morning when a bomb threat at the V’Yoel Moshe Cheider on Bedford Avenue triggered a massive emergency response, forcing the immediate evacuation of all children and the shutdown of surrounding streets as police rushed to secure the area.

The threat was reported at approximately 10:34 a.m. at the cheider, located at 590 Bedford Avenue. Shomrim Coordinator Yanky Itzkowitz, who works at the building, sprang into action, and quickly started the evacuation process of everyone inside the building and ensuring that all children were safely brought out before emergency crews arrived.

The children were then relocated to the Satmar Cheider at Ateres Yoel on Ross Street, in order not to disturb the learning of the Tenokes Shel Beis Rabun despite the frightening circumstances.

Meanwhile, a massive emergency response unfolded outside the building, with the NYPD, FDNY, and Shomrim arriving at the scene, along with police captains and other high-ranking officials. Bedford Avenue and surrounding streets were completely shut down as authorities secured the area, causing major traffic congestion throughout the neighborhood. The NYPD Bomb Squad and K-9 units were called in and conducted a thorough sweep of the building to ensure that no danger remained.

After an extensive investigation, the NYPD officially cleared the building and declared it safe, allowing the surrounding streets to gradually reopen and bringing the hours-long emergency operation to a peaceful conclusion. Baruch Hashem, all children and staff were safe. The incident came amid reports of another security threat at the Yeshivah of Flatbush, where the school was placed under lockdown while police investigated.