Maryland Man who Sent Threats to Jewish Institutions Sentenced

March 18, 2026 JTA

Founded in 1976, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum located at 101 South Independence Mall East in Center City Philadelphia. (Shoot from Within via JTA)

By Grace Gilson

(JTA) — A Maryland man who sent more than 40 threatening letters to Jewish institutions, including the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, was sentenced to three years in prison Monday.

Clift Seferlis, 55, of Garrett Park, Maryland, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release as well as a $40,000 fine and a $2,200 special assessment on Monday.

He had previously pleaded guilty to 17 counts of mailing threatening communications and eight counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs arising from threats to Jewish institutions, which were sent from March 2024 through at least June 2025.

“For more than a year, the defendant terrorized Jewish communities across the country, robbing his victims of their peace and security,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said in a statement. “The defendant’s sentence should be a warning to all that religious-based terror will not be tolerated in this country.”

During a sentencing hearing in Philadelphia’s federal courthouse, Seferlis, who told FBI agents that he had previously given tours at the museum, expressed remorse for the letters, which included threats to destroy buildings and harm individuals over the war in Gaza.

“My words are the worst of my venom, and they are awful and inflicted pain,” Seferlis said. “And if there was any way I could take it back, I would.”

In a joint statement, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia expressed gratitude for the sentencing, writing, “It is critically important that those who seek to intimidate Jewish institutions are identified, investigated and held accountable.”