YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Amidst the missile attack launched by Iran against Israel on Tuesday, the Jewish community in south-central Pennsylvania is showing concern about the situation.
"It's been another difficult day," said Zachary Benjamin, the president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg. "The federation, along with our sister organizations in Israel and around the country, are monitoring the situation."
Benjamin says local community members are concerned both about their loved ones abroad and the further attention and scrutiny on the Jewish people at home after a difficult year.
"There's just a lot of concern, I think, among the Jewish community, certainly about stability in the region and the security of Israel itself, but also about the impact that these events have had on our communities," Benjamin said.
The latest attack from Iran and renewed conflict with Hezbollah comes nearly one year after the deadly terror attack from Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Benjamin says that while Tuesday's attacks have not yet produced a loss of life, it does represent another loss of security amidst tensions at home, with concerns that a new conflict could cause those tensions to reach another climax.
"We're seeing the tension over the geopolitical situation in the Middle East boil over into Jewish communities, and impact the posture of of some towards Jewish people," Benjamin said. "We mourn the loss of life throughout the region, and our hope is that ultimately peace returns to the extent that it can."
The federation plans to honor those killed on the anniversary of October 7 next Monday in a spiritual ceremony.