Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

With Passover beginning on Monday, federal law enforcement say they're concerned about potential threats to U.S. Jewish communities.This is the first Passover since the Oct. 7 deadly attacks of Israel by Hamas, followed by the retaliation in Gaza.FBI Director Christopher Wray has shared they're worried lone actors could target large gatherings, high-profile events, or religious locations and cause violence.At UVM Hillel, executive director Matt Vogel said they've been preparing for their Passover week.Starting Monday, they will have a full-on Kosher kitchen transformation."Whether it's Matzah pizza or Matzah brei or scrambled eggs, we'll have Kosher for Passover cereal and milk so students can our home like it's their home," Vogel saidHowever, Vogel said the feeling of anxiousness is always there."Working for a Jewish organization, I've had concerns since the Tree of Life massacre and when Jewish communities turned into targets of white supremacists and hate," Vogel said.Michael Schirling, UVM police's chief safety and compliance officer, said they'll be on standby.He shared this statement to NBC5. "Our safety teams are aware of the FBI Director's statement. We are in regular contact with the Hillel team and other organizations on campus regarding security responses and posture," Schirling said.Vogel said overall he feels safe, but shared that it's unfortunate his community has to have this in the back of their mind."Just because that's the current climate we're in, and that's been the climate, unfortunately, before Oct. 7," Vogel said.Down the street at Chabad of Burlington, Rabbi Eliyahu Junik has also been getting ready with his own Passover festivities. "We're hoping to have a joyous and safe holiday," Junik said.Junik said he's in close contact with Burlington police but, like Vogel, overall, isn't concerned.Instead, Junik said he's leaning on this faith."The night of Passover is also called 'leil shimurim', which is the night of protection," Junik said. "God protected us when we left Egypt. The sages teach us that every Passover we get to re-live that protection from God."Junik hopes the Jewish community can truly celebrate Passover, focusing on its true meaning."Each and every one of us needs to free ourselves more and more on our anxieties, traumas, and all the things that inhibit us from getting closer to other people and getting closer to God," Junik said.If interested in UVM Hillel's festivities, more info is on their Instagram.For more on Chabad of Burlington's events, visit their website here.

With Passover beginning on Monday, federal law enforcement say they're concerned about potential threats to U.S. Jewish communities.

This is the first Passover since the Oct. 7 deadly attacks of Israel by Hamas, followed by the retaliation in Gaza.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has shared they're worried lone actors could target large gatherings, high-profile events, or religious locations and cause violence.

At UVM Hillel, executive director Matt Vogel said they've been preparing for their Passover week.

Starting Monday, they will have a full-on Kosher kitchen transformation.

"Whether it's Matzah pizza or Matzah brei or scrambled eggs, we'll have Kosher for Passover cereal and milk so students can our home like it's their home," Vogel said

However, Vogel said the feeling of anxiousness is always there.

"Working for a Jewish organization, I've had concerns since the Tree of Life massacre and when Jewish communities turned into targets of white supremacists and hate," Vogel said.

Michael Schirling, UVM police's chief safety and compliance officer, said they'll be on standby.

He shared this statement to NBC5.

"Our safety teams are aware of the FBI Director's statement. We are in regular contact with the Hillel team and other organizations on campus regarding security responses and posture," Schirling said.

Vogel said overall he feels safe, but shared that it's unfortunate his community has to have this in the back of their mind.

"Just because that's the current climate we're in, and that's been the climate, unfortunately, before Oct. 7," Vogel said.

Down the street at Chabad of Burlington, Rabbi Eliyahu Junik has also been getting ready with his own Passover festivities.

"We're hoping to have a joyous and safe holiday," Junik said.

Junik said he's in close contact with Burlington police but, like Vogel, overall, isn't concerned.

Instead, Junik said he's leaning on this faith.

"The night of Passover is also called 'leil shimurim', which is the night of protection," Junik said. "God protected us when we left Egypt. The sages teach us that every Passover we get to re-live that protection from God."

Junik hopes the Jewish community can truly celebrate Passover, focusing on its true meaning.

"Each and every one of us needs to free ourselves more and more on our anxieties, traumas, and all the things that inhibit us from getting closer to other people and getting closer to God," Junik said.

If interested in UVM Hillel's festivities, more info is on their Instagram.

For more on Chabad of Burlington's events, visit their website here.

Original post:

Burlington Jewish organizations share any safety concerns ahead of Passover - WPTZ

Category: Jewish
Tags: