Last Thursday, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, an unprecedented and ongoing series of Israel Air Force strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile installations, and senior military leadership. Iran has responded with a high volume of ballistic missile strikes targeting Israel’s civilian populations, a relatively small number of which have evaded Israel’s missile defense systems, resulting in death, injuries, and extensive property damage across Central Israel. The Israeli strikes followed unsuccessful US-Iran negotiations to curb Iran's nuclear enrichment program and years of Iran's sponsorship of terrorism on Israel's border. 

The hearts of all of us at Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg and the Jewish Community Relations Council are with our Israeli family at this exceptionally challenging moment. We pray that all in Israel, including those with whom we share personal bonds of family and friendship, remain safe and secure. We mourn any loss of innocent civilian life in Israel, Iran, and throughout the Middle East.  We have been in close contact with our partner community in Israel, the Ramat HaNegev Regional Council, and they report that their communities remain safe.

Events in Israel and the broader Middle East, as well as anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. and abroad, can impact our community.  Starting several weeks ago, the Jewish Federation significantly increased its collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Our senior management and security personnel, including community security director Tim Brooks, are working in close partnership with those agencies to ensure the security of our campus, personnel, and guests. These efforts extend to the Grass Campus, Green Hills Swim Club, and across our Jewish communal institutions.

We will keep the community apprised as the situation both in Israel and at home develops. The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg stands in resolute solidarity with Israel in its right to exist in peace, prosperity, and security.