SYRACUSE , N.Y. (NCC News) — The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse is making plans to host psalm readings in the afternoons to show support for Israel following the violence that began there over the weekend. After hosting a rally Monday night organized by the Jewish Federation of Central New York, the JCC is looking to do more to help Jews and other Central New Yorkers living in the area.
JCC Executive Director, Marci Erlebacher, says she is currently working with local rabbis to try and set up opportunities for members of the community to come together and pray a few afternoons per week.
“There’s a lot of unaffiliated Jews and people who just want to come together to do something because now as we are into this several days, the feed that we’re getting, the information is just horrific and it’s starting to hit home really hard,” Erlebacher said.
Although the JCC does not have any plans to host another rally in support of Israel, the Jewish Federation will be organizing supply drives to collect money and goods to be sent to Israel. Erlebacher says when collecting donations, it is important to support Israel by donating to organizations rather than to individual people.
“The problem is, we’ve got to stay focused and we have to do this through the right channels,” Erlebacher said.
The JCC has increased its security measures in response to the violence in Israel, including the presence of more armed guards in and around the building.
