Community gathers for a vigil at Kesher Israel on N. 3rd Street.
On Monday, Rabbi Elisha Friedman stood outside of his synagogue, looking at a pair of swastikas that had been painted on the building—a symbol of hate.
Today, he stood in that same place seeing signs of love.
A diverse crowd gathered outside of Kesher Israel on Wednesday evening to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
“The response from this community has been really incredible,” Friedman said. “Each person by being here today is making a statement that this is unacceptable to go on in this area. We are not going to allow this kind of behavior to happen again.”
The vigil was held by the Mayor’s Interfaith Advisory Council. Police Commissioner Thomas Carter, Rep. Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg) and local faith leaders were among those who spoke.
“What I see here is love,” Carter said. “It took some cowards under the shield of nighttime to paint a swastika. But it didn’t drive a fork in any of our hearts. It brought us together.”
Friedman said that Harrisburg police arrived minutes after he called them on Monday morning. He added that the state troopers and FBI were helpful, as well.
Rabbi Elisha Friedman of Kesher Israel Congregation speaks at the vigil.
Pastor James Jackson of Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church was one of the many faith leaders who spoke at the event.
“We members of the Goodwin Memorial Baptist church, who are your closest neighbors of faith, want to say to whoever did this, this is not acceptable,” he said.
This act of anti-Semitism is just one of many related incidents in the state, said Russell Goodman, who is part of the Interfaith Advisory Council.
The negative impact the swastika has on the Jewish community mirrors that of the confederate flag on the Black community, said Tameka Hatcher of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
“Symbolism matters,” she said. “As a person who believes in the dignity and the sanctity of lives of all people, we the Black community stand with our brothers and sisters of faith in the Jewish community.”
In closing, Jackson prayed for peace and unity in the community.
“The thing that we leave here with will be a renewed determination to see that this city, this community and this nation, turns into a place where all of our kids can grow up in an atmosphere of love and peace,” Jackson said.
Kesher Israel Congregation is located at 2500 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website. To learn more about the Mayor’s Interfaith Advisory Council, visit their Facebook page.
