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FAITH
East Oregonian
OTHER VIEWS
Israel arrests hacker linked to
threats on U.S. Jewish centers
JERUSALEM (AP) — A
19-year-old American-Is-
raeli Jew was arrested
Thursday as the prime
suspect in a wave of bomb
threats against U.S. Jewish
community centers, a
startling turn in a case that
had stoked fears of rising
anti-Semitism in the United
States.
The surprising arrest of
the man, a hacker who holds
dual Israeli and American
citizenship, came after a
trans-Atlantic investigation
with the FBI and other
international law enforce-
ment agencies. U.S. Jewish
groups welcomed the break-
through in the case, which
drawn condemnation from
President Donald Trump.
Israeli police described
the suspect as a hacker, but
said his motives were still
unclear.
“He’s the guy who was
behind the JCC threats,”
police spokesman Micky
Rosenfeld said, referring to
the scores of anonymous
threats phoned in to Jewish
community centers in the
U.S. over the past two
months.
Police banned publica-
tion of his name, but said he
was a dual citizen and would
remain in custody until at
least March 30. During the
arrest raid, they said he tried
to grab an officer’s gun but
was stopped by another
officer.
The young man appeared
briefly in court in the central
Israeli city of Rishon
Letzion. He wore khaki
pants and a blue sweater that
he used to cover his face as
he walked past reporters. He
made no comment.
His lawyer, Galit Bash,
said her client had a “very
serious medical condition”
that might have affected
his behavior. She said the
condition had prevented
him from attending elemen-
tary school, high school or
enlisting in the army, which
is compulsory for most
Jewish men.
“That’s why the medical
condition can actually affect
the investigation,” she said.
“This is one of the things
the judge told the police to
check, to talk to his doctors,
to get more documents and
to investigate him according
to his medical situation.”
Channel 10 TV said
the condition was a brain
tumor. It also showed
images of a large antenna
outside the suspect’s house
in the southern Israeli city
of Ashkelon. Police said
the suspect’s father was
also detained, apparently
Friday, March 24, 2017
Divine providence
By RENEE LOVEJOY
S
AP Photo/Nir Keidar
A 19-year-old dual U.S.-Israeli citizen covers his face
as he is brought to court in Rishon Lezion, Israel,
Thursday.
because of the equipment.
Late Thursday, police said
the father’s detention had
been extended by eight
days.
In Washington, the FBI
confirmed the arrest of the
main suspect.
U.S. Attorney General
Jeff Sessions said the
Justice Department “will
not tolerate the targeting
of any community in the
country on the basis of their
religious beliefs.” He called
work by the FBI and Israeli
police “outstanding.”
Since Jan. 9, there have
been more than 150 bomb
threats against Jewish
community centers and
day schools in 37 U.S.
states and two Canadian
provinces, according to the
Anti-Defamation League,
a Jewish group that battles
anti-Semitism.
The threats led to evac-
uations, sent a chill through
local Jewish communities
and raised fears of rising
anti-Semitism. Acts of
vandalism on Jewish targets,
including cemeteries, have
added to those concerns.
As the number of threats
grew, Trump was criticized
for not speaking out. Then,
late last month, he opened
a speech to Congress by
denouncing anti-Semitism.
There was no immediate
reaction from the White
House to Thursday’s arrest.
The ADL, JCC Asso-
ciation of America and
Jewish Federations of North
America all welcomed news
of the arrest.
But Jonathan Greenblatt,
chief executive of the ADL,
said anti-Semitism in the
U.S. remains a “very serious
concern.”
“JCCs and other institu-
tions should not relax secu-
rity measures or become
less vigilant,” he said.
Karen Dombey, whose
child attends the David
Posnack Jewish Community
Center in Davie, Florida,
which was evacuated when
it received threats Feb. 27
and March 7, said she was
surprised that the suspect is
an Israeli-American. About
500 students from kinder-
garten through high school
attend classes at the center,
where armed guards stood
at its entrances on Thursday.
“I hope it doesn’t happen
again. I hope it stops. But
the fact that it happened
raises awareness that we
are targeted even when we
think we are not,” Dombey
said.
U.S. authorities have
also arrested a former jour-
nalist from St. Louis, Juan
Thompson, for allegedly
threatening Jewish orga-
nizations and charged him
with one count of cyber-
stalking.
But
Israeli
police
described the local man as
the primary suspect in the
wave of threats.
Police said he used
sophisticated “camouflage
technologies” to disguise
his voice and mask his
location. They said a search
of the teen’s home uncov-
ered antennas and satellite
equipment.
“In sophisticated cyber
activity that I cannot
detail, we obtained what
we obtained and of course
exposed him and his
equipment,” national police
chief Roni Alsheich told
reporters. “This does not
bring honor to the state of
Israel of course. But I think
it does bring respect to Isra-
el’s police.”
Police said the threats
had caused panic, “signifi-
cant economic damage” and
disrupted public order at
locations around the world.
The man is also suspected
of placing threatening
phone calls to Australia,
New Zealand and within
Israel. They also said he had
disrupted a Delta Airlines
flight at New York’s JFK
airport in early 2015.
pirit calling unto spirit. Deep calling unto
deep. For several weeks now, I had been
astonished by how personally I received
each week’s writings on the Friday Religion
page of the local newspaper. These articles,
written in a way that mysteriously mirrored
my own spiritually driven view of life. It was
as if they had been written by my own hand.
Clearly a kindred spirit. It was time for me to
meet this gifted writer. To hear him preach.
This pastor who spoke to me from just down
the road a ways.
On the 30-minute trip I whispered,
“Lord, I hope there is at least one person I
know when I get there.” It was a good thing
I allowed a generous window of time for
finding the church: I needed every minute
of it. But then, when I finally saw the name
on the beautiful old sign and turned in, I felt
like I had arrived at where I belonged. Here
was a sweet little old-fashioned, beautifully
cared-for property, thankfully cooled and
sheltered by large old shade trees, on this hot
summer morning.
The driver in the car I had followed into the
parking lot got out at the same time I did. We
looked at each other and grinned. My friend
Dee was here to talk about her gifted ministry
to unwed mothers. She said, “Renee! Do you
go here?!” No, I said, this is my very first time.
She returned, “Mine too!”
But something seemed amiss when
we walked through the doors of this little
Lutheran Church. Though it was time for
services to begin, and there was a congregation
seated, there was no music. And no apparent
musician. Puzzled, I walked down a short
corridor, looking for the pastor. As I walked by
a door, I saw someone donning clerical robes.
I surprised myself by boldly asking, “Are you
short a piano player this morning?”
He said, “Yes, I am.”
“I am a piano player, have played for
churches for years,” I said, not believing my
fearlessness.
“Wonderful!” was his prompt response.
Introducing myself I said, “I’ve never
played for a Lutheran service before, or even
attended one. I should tell you I am rock ‘n roll
gospel all the way.”
“Even better!” he grinned, shaking my
hand even more excitedly.
He explained that his piano player had had
an accident, and he had just been informed
about it a little earlier that morning. No time to
put out a call.
He continued to beam at me and reflected,
“I had so little faith in our Father meeting my
need, that I didn’t even think to pray for His
intervention. And just look, He did it anyway.”
I told him I was willing to give it a try, if
I could look at the order of worship, and see
if I knew any of the hymns they were using.
By this moment, I was pretty sure that this
was the work of our Father, and that there
would be songs I knew. And to my delight and
amazement, I knew all of them. I felt caught
up in a cosmic wave of joy and fearlessness.
And away we went. I had enough music in
my head to cover the prelude, the offertory,
communion and a postlude.
During the meet and greet, my friend Dee
came over to me, and pressed, “What just
happened here?” Completely mystified, I said
I am not sure, but it does feel extraordinary,
doesn’t it?
Congregants welcomed me. The mother
of six children told me she panned the
congregation during my joyful prelude and
sent it to her father in Salem. Shy little children
approached me with solemnly extended hands.
They wanted me to know who they were and
that they liked my music. Pastor shook my
hand again, murmuring, “Where did you say
you came from?”
I sat back down at the piano and gently
removed both my shoes from off my feet.
Surely the Presence of the Lord was in this
place.
■
Renee Lovejoy is a retired special
education teacher who lives in Hermiston.
BRIEFLY
Boardman First Baptist
Church hosts ladies lunch
BOARDMAN — A special ladies lunch
is planned at the Boardman First Baptist
Church.
The event features a taco feed Saturday
at 3 p.m. at the church, 200 S.W. Willowfork
Drive, Boardman. Those planning to
attend are asked to bring a side dish or taco
dressings.
For more information, call 541-481-9437.
Lenten services continue in
Pendleton
PENDLETON — Special ecumenical
worship services continue during the season
of Lent in Pendleton.
The upcoming services and the officiant
include:
•Wednesday, March 29 at 6 p.m. (soup
supper) and 7 p.m. (service) at Episcopal
Church of the Redeemer, 241 S.E. Second St.
(Marc Mullins).
•Wednesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. (soup
supper) and 7 p.m. (service) at Peace
Lutheran Church, 210 N.W. Ninth St. (Jim
Pierce).
•Thursday, April 13 at 5 p.m. (Maundy
Thursday communion) at First United
Methodist Church, 352 S.E. Second St.
Everyone is invited, regardless of faith, to
attend the soup supper and services. For more
information, contact redeemerchurch1897@
gmail.com.
College group presents
creative worship
HERMISTON — A night of worship
is planned as Momentum, the New Hope
Christian College’s touring team, visits
Hermiston.
The Eugene-based group presents worship
through music, dance, drama and technical
arts. The free event is Monday, April 3 from
7-8:30 p.m. at Hermiston Church of the
Nazarene, 1520 W. Orchard Ave.
For more information, contact 541-567-
3677 or hermistonnaz@gmail.com. For more
about the group, visit www.newhope.edu/
creative_arts/ca-momentum.
———
Friday’s faith page features local, national
and international faith-related news. Send
information about local faith-related news
and events, including concerts, special
speakers and activities to community@
eastoregonian.com or drop off to the attention
of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St.,
Hermiston or Renee Struthers at 211 S.E.
Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or
541-966-0818 with questions.
Worship Community
PENDLETON
LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH
Sunday Service: 10am & 6pm
Tuesday Kingdom Seekers: 7pm
Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm
We off er: Sunday School • Sign Language
Interpreters • Nursery • Transportation • & more!
Pastor Dan Satterwhite
541.377.4252
Grace Baptist Church
555 SW 11th, Hermiston
567-9497
Nursery provided for all services
Sunday School - 9:30 AM
Worship - 10:45 AM • 6:00 PM
Wed Prayer & Worship - 7:00 PM
“Proclaiming God’s word, growing in God’s grace”
Come meet Jesus at
PENDLETON BAPTIST
CHURCH
3202 SW Nye Ave Pendleton, OR
541-276-7590
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Sunday Bible Classes 9:45 AM
Sunday Youth Group 6:00 PM
Mon. Community Women’s Study
9:30 AM & 6 PM
Awana Kids Club (K-6th grade)
Wed Men’s Study 6 PM
MOPS meeting the 1st Thur of the Month 6 PM
FAITH LUTHERAN
CHURCH
in Mission for Christ LCMC
Bible Study.........9:00 AM
Sunday Worship......10:30 AM
Red Lion Hotel
( Oregon Trail Room )
www.faithpendleton.org
First United
Methodist Church
Pendleton/Hermiston
Sunday Worship
10:00am
Wednesday Healing School
6:00pm
Youth Classes: Nursery - 6th grade
Sun & Wed
Jr & Sr High Discipleship Program Wed
Overcomer’s Outreach
Tuesday at 6:00pm - Annex
A Christ-centered, 12-Step
Recovery Support Group
Pastor Sharon Miller
401 Northgate, Pendleton
541-278-8082
www.livingwordcc.com
352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton
Sunday Worship 9am
541-276-2616
Worship Broadcast on
KUMA 1290 @ 11am
191 E. Gladys Ave,Hermiston
Sunday Worship 11am
541-567-3002
Worship Livestream at
herfumc.com
Open Hearts, Open Minds,
Open Doors
Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor
Redeemer
Episcopal
Church
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
Join Us
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
241 SE Second St. Pendleton
(541)276-3809
www.pendletonepiscopal.org
Scripture, Tradition and Reason
Sunday Holy Communion 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Holy Communion Noon
Weekly Adults Spiritual Life Group
Family service 9am Sunday
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
All Are Welcome
OPEN HEARTS – OPEN DOOR
www.graceandmercylutheran.org
Sunday Worship 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. (Nursery Provided)
Fellowship, Refreshments & Sunday School
Check Out our Facebook Page or
Website for More Information
541-289-4535
Tom Inch, Pastor
Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church, ELCA
(First United Methodist Church)
191 E. Gladys Ave. / P.O. Box 1108
Hermiston, Oregon 97838
Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church
LCMC
Sunday worship at
11:00 AM
420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR
Faith Center Church
Worshiping God
Loving People
108 S. Main • 276-9569
Sunday Worship
10:30 am
Sr. Pastor,
Ray O’Grady
pendletonfaithcenter.org
Seventh-Day
Adventist
Church
Community
Presbyterian Church
Saturday Services
Pendleton
1401 SW Goodwin Place
276-0882
Sabbath School 9:20 am
Worship Service 10:45 am
P eace L utheran C hurch
210 NW 9th, Pendleton
417 NW 21st St. • Pendleton, OR 97801
www.facebook.com/
PendletonLighthouseChurch
ELCA
Join us Sundays
9:30
Sunday
Worship
9:30
am am
Sunday
Worship
10:30 am Fellowship
11:00 am Sunday School
& Adult Class
541-481-6132
~Come and be at Peace ~
Colin Brown, Pastor
on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday
FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM
SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM
712 SW 27 TH ST.
541-276-1894
www.fcogpendleton.com
14 Martin Drive,
Umatilla, OR
922-3250
Worship: 10 AM
Sunday School at 11:30
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
-Presbyterian Church (USA)-
201 SW Dorion Ave.
Pendleton
Service of Worship - 10:00 am
Children’s Sunday School -
10:20 am
Fellowship - 11:00 am
www.pendletonpresbyterian.com
Open Hearted...
Open Minded
BAHA’I FAITH
“The Unity of All Mankind”
Pendleton Baha’i Center at
1015 SE Court Place
Devotions Sundays @
11:00am; Everyone invited!
(541) 276-9360 visit us at
www.pendletonbahais.org
To share your worship times call Terri Briggs 541-278-2678