CHICAGO, Illinois (Press Release) — The Secure Community Network (SCN), The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (JFGW), and Jewish Federations of North America on Mondau applauded the decisive sentencing of Clift Seferlis to 37 months in prison and 3 years supervised release, for a systematic campaign of threats targeting Jewish institutions across the eastern United States.
Seferlis pleaded guilty to 17 counts of mailing threatening communications and eight counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs.
Between March 2024 and June 2025, Seferlis targeted at least 25 Jewish institutions across Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts with more than three dozen threatening letters and postcards. The investigation and subsequent conviction were facilitated by close information sharing and coordination among several community security initiatives, organizations, and law enforcement.
As the incidents accumulated across state lines, SCN, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s community security initiative, JShield,; ADL (the Anti-Defamation League); the FBI; and other law enforcement bodies coordinated efforts. Working together, these groups consolidated evidence, provided real-time, verified information to authorities, and ensured comprehensive and swift support to affected facilities while also aiding the investigation.
“This case shows what’s possible when a community is engaged, prepared, and connected,”said Gil Preuss, CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. “Individually, these letters may have appeared isolated. But when community members reported them to JShield, our team was able to recognize the emerging pattern locally, connect it to related incidents beyond our region, and coordinate with national partners and law enforcement. As our JShield Executive Director often reminds us, safety is a shared responsibility. It was that shared vigilance that led to accountability in this case.”
“This sentencing sends a clear message that those who attempt to intimidate or terrorize the Jewish community will be held fully accountable,” said Michael Masters, SCN National Director & CEO. “This outcome reflects the strength of collective vigilance and exemplary partnerships. Together with JShield of Greater Washington, the ADL, and our law enforcement counterparts, we worked as a unified front, prioritizing real-time information sharing and coordinated action to ensure a successful arrest and prosecution.”
“The actions taken to reach today’s sentencing have been a model of the critical partnerships between law enforcement, the Jewish community, and government. We are grateful for the coordination among authorities, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Community Security Initiative, and the Secure Community Network, which helped bring this individual to justice,” said Eric Fingerhut, President & CEO, Jewish Federations of North America.
“It is exactly why the Jewish Federation in every community has created and funded a community security initiative that connects every single Jewish institution to a professionally run security program, and why we are urging government action to provide additional support to law enforcement and Jewish institutions under threat of attack. At a time of rising antisemitism, these partnerships and policies are essential to protecting Jewish communities and ensuring those who threaten them are held accountable.”
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Preceding provided by Secure Community Network.