DEWITT, N.Y. (NCC News) — As conflicts continue in the Middle East, Jewish communities across the United States are coming together to support one another and maintain a sense of connection.
Just east of Syracuse, in DeWitt, the Jewish Community Center of Syracuse is finding ways to bring people together, spreading hope and creating a sense of security amid global uncertainty.
Rabbi Yaakov Rappaport, who works closely with the JCC, says that unity plays a key role in helping people navigate difficult times.
“There are a lot of things happening where we are pulling the Jewish community together,” said Rappaport. “Five fingers can’t do much, but if you make a fist, it becomes very powerful. Unity brings strength, and it’s very important that we let the children know that they’ve got to be proud Jews.”
The JCC hosts a variety of events each week for people of all ages, including sports leagues, reading groups and author lectures, to name a few.
This week, the center is preparing for the holidays with a variety of Passover-themed events, including a matzah bakery, allowing families to come together through tradition.
New York state is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States, making spaces like the JCC an important hub for community connection. For many, that sense of community is what makes the difference in their lives.
Mo Moodie, a local who attended the matzah bakery with his children, says that his experiences living in different places around the world have highlighted the importance of a strong community for both him and his family.
“I’ve lived in a couple different places. I’ve lived in Onondaga County, I’ve lived in Washington, D.C., I’ve lived abroad overseas as well,” said Moodie. “One of the things that’s always given stability is having a sense of community, so having a place like the JCC that is still having events—regardless of what’s going on—is a breath of fresh air.”
As families continue to gather at the JCC and participate in events like the matzah bakery, organizers say the goal remains simple: to create a space where people can connect, support one another and find strength together.