Annapolis, MD – (11/22/2025) — The Jewish Federation of Annapolis & the Chesapeake (JFedA-C) expresses deep gratitude to the federal and local law-enforcement agencies that acted swiftly to protect Maryland residents from violent threats tied to extremist ideology.

 

This week the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland unsealed an indictment charging Arsham Rashidi Dizajgan, 27, an Iranian-American from Gainesville, Florida, with six counts of transmitting in interstate or foreign commerce a threat to injure another person. According to the indictment, while living in Arnold, Maryland, Dizajgan used TikTok to disseminate threatening content, including images of Americans marked with an upside-down red triangle — a symbol used in Hamas propaganda videos to identify targets prior to attacks — along with posts celebrating violence against Americans and non-Muslims.

 

JFedA-C extends sincere thanks to:

• Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland

• Jimmy Paul, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Baltimore Field Office

• Jason Carley, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Jacksonville Field Office

• Chief Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACOPD)

• Chief Nelson Moya, Gainesville Police Department (GPD)

 

Their rapid, coordinated work ensured that these threats were taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and stopped before they could escalate.

 

Rising Antisemitism in Maryland and the Urgency of Community Vigilance

Antisemitism is rising across the nation and here in Maryland. The state ranked fifth per capita for antisemitic incidents in 2023, and Maryland’s own Hate Bias Report found that religious-based hate incidents tripled from 2022 to 2023, with Jews — who make up roughly 4% of the state’s population — representing 28% of reported victims.

 

“These numbers are not abstract,” JFedA-C President J. D. ‘Jody’ Goldsmith said. “They reflect real fear, real trauma, and real threats to our neighbors. We must be more vigilant than ever. Antisemitism — like all forms of hate — is unacceptable and has no place in Anne Arundel County or anywhere in our state. We are grateful to law enforcement for acting quickly and decisively to keep our community safe.”

 

Jewish Federation of Annapolis & the Chesapeake and Anne Arundel County Working Together to Fight Hate

Just last week, JFedA-C partnered with the Anne Arundel County Hate Crimes Prevention Program to host a countywide forum, “In Our Own Voices: Antisemitism Out in the Open, Again — A Community-Wide Response to Hate.”

The program offered guidance on recognizing, documenting, and reporting hate incidents, and emphasized solidarity among communities targeted by hate.

More information and reporting resources can be found at: Anne Arundel County Hate Crimes Prevention Program | Anne Arundel County Government

The Jewish Federation of Annapolis & the Chesapeake is committed to working closely with county officials, law enforcement, community partners, and faith leaders to educate the public, strengthen prevention efforts, and ensure every resident feels safe and supported.

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Media Contact:

Jewish Federation of Annapolis & the Chesapeake

Info@JFedA-C.org