UPDATE: Friday U.S. and international authorities intercepted two U.S.-bound packages containing explosive material while aboard two cargo planes. The packages were addressed to unnamed Chicago locations, which were later revealed to be a Jewish community center and synagogue. Despite this, the Jewish community in Evanston remains unshaken.       

As members of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation entered their synagogue Saturday for Shabbat services, the day was like any other. There was no extra security outside of the worship center on Dodge Avenue and the entrance doors were unlocked, welcoming congregants and visitors.

"Basically, we're not scared," said Shirley Gould, a member of the congregation.

That seemed to be the sentiment resonating from Evanston's synagogues and the Jewish community following the "credible terrorist threat" that clogged TV air waves Friday. President Obama made a television announcement addressing the situation. "Counterterrorism professionals are taking this threat very seriously and are taking all necessary and prudent steps to ensure our security," he said.  

But for one synagogue in the area this security threat is nothing new. Beth Emet, a synagogue on Dempster Street, puts in place strong security measures every day. The building is monitored by police on a daily basis -- even more so during the night -- and the synagogue does not accept any suspicious packages.

"Nothing is different, nothing has changed about how we conduct our operations," said Bekki Kaplan, executive director at Beth Emet.

The Chicago FBI's spokeperson Royden Rice wouldn't confirm if there were any threats to suburban Jewish centers and deferred to President Obama's comments in Fridays's televised speech. However, Rice did confirm that his office was in communication with various faith organizations around Chicago.

"We alerted all religious institutions in the Chicago area [Friday] of a possible threat and encouraged them to be extra vigilant," Rice said.  

Rice said the bureau encouraged religious sites to be very cautious of any received packages, especially those from overseas and ones that were not expected to arrive. Rice was also unaware if there were any suspects in custody in connection with the explosive packages, but the AP is now reporting that Yemeni authorities have released the woman they detained on Saturday near the Yemen capital. Authorities now say that the attack was supposed to bring down planes and the attack was just "narrowly averted."

A student who works at the front desk of the Northwestern's Fiedler Hillel Center on campus said he wasn't working at the center Friday, but was alerted to the situation via e-mail. The senior economics major said he wasn't nervous to work Saturday during Shabbat but felt more "aware" of his surroundings.

Steve Silverman, a part-time custodian at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, said while he was working Friday, he did not notice anything out of the norm and added that the center received no suspicious packages.

"Anything can happen any day of the week," said Silverman.

Vicki Polin, a Jewish activist, said "there is always going to be hatred toward Jews." Polin went on to say that if Jews allow themselves to be scared of these hateful acts then the terrorists win.

"If you're living in fear, you're not living," Polin said.

EARLIER: Yesterday U.S. and international authorities intercepted two U.S.-bound packages containing explosive material while aboard two cargo planes. The packages were addressed to unnamed Chicago locations, though the locations were revealed to be a Jewish community center and synagogue. Despite this, the Jewish community in Evanston remains unshaken.       

Entering the synagogue today on Shabbat, the day was like any other day of the week. There was no extra security outside of the worship center on Dodge Avenue and the entrance doors were unlocked, welcoming congregants and visitors.

"Basically, we're not scared," said Shirley Gould, member of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation.

That seemed to be the sentiment resonating from Evanston's synagogues and the Jewish community following the "credible terrorist threat" that clogged TV waves yesterday. President Obama made a television announcement addressing the situation and tried to calm citizens' fears. "Counterterrorism professionals are taking this threat very seriously and are taking all necessary and prudent steps to ensure our security," he said.  

But for one synagogue in the area this threat to security is nothing new. Beth Emet, a synagogue on Dempster Street, puts in place strong security measures every day. The building is monitored by police on a daily basis, even more so during the night and the synagogue does not accept any suspicious packages.

"Nothing is different, nothing has changed about how we conduct our operations," said Bekki Kaplan, executive director at Beth Emet.

The Chicago FBI's spokeperson Royden Rice wouldn't confirm if there were any threats to suburban Jewish centers and deferred to President Obama's comments in yesterday's televised speech. However, Rice did confirm that his office was in communication with various faith organizations around Chicago.
 
"We alerted all religious institutions in the Chicago area yesterday of a possible threat and encouraged them to be extra vigilant," Rice said.  

Rice said the bureau encouraged religious sites to be very cautious of any received packages, especially those from overseas and ones that were not expected to arrive. Rice was also unaware if there were any suspects in custody in connection with the explosive packages, but the AP is now reporting that Yemeni authorities have detained a woman near the Yemen capital, who may have been involved in the foiled terrorist plot.

A student who works at the front desk of the Northwestern's Fiedler Hillel Center on campus said he wasn't working at the center yesterday, but was alerted to the situation via e-mail. The senior economics major said he wasn't nervous to work today but felt more "aware" of his surroundings.

Steve Silverman, a part-time custodian at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, said while he was working yesterday, he did not notice anything out of the norm and added that the center received no suspicious packages.

"Anything can happen any day of the week," said Silverman.

Vicki Polin, a Jewish activist, said "there is always going to be hatred toward Jews." Polin went on to say that if Jews allow themselves to be scared of these hateful acts then the terrorists win.

"If you're living in fear, you're not living," Polin said.