- Michael Balaban
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia President and CEO

I want to share an update at a time when many in our community are feeling unsettled, concerned and, frankly, exhausted.

The world does not feel like it is in a good place right now, and Jewish communities are once again facing heightened hostility and scrutiny.

Here at home in Greater Philadelphia, recent events in the Wissahickon School District have been deeply troubling. As we shared publicly, we are disturbed by a recording in which a school principal made offensive and harmful antisemitic remarks about a Jewish parent. The district has dismissed the Lower Gwynedd Elementary School principal, and a second staff member has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. The comments relied on familiar and dangerous stereotypes and reflect a mindset that has no place in our schools or public institutions. The Principal’s voicemail followed other incidents that caused harm to Jewish families, including a student mural that elevated a figure associated with antisemitic rhetoric and a cultural fair where political messaging related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict crossed clear lines and made Jewish students feel targeted and unsafe.

Incidents like this understandably shake Jewish families’ sense of safety, trust and belonging — especially when they occur in spaces meant to protect and educate our children. Many parents are having difficult conversations at kitchen tables and school pickups, answering questions no child should have to ask about whether it is safe to be openly Jewish.

In response, our team has been actively engaged on the ground in Wissahickon. This included facilitating a community listening session attended by more than 100 community members, creating a structured and intentional space for Jewish families to engage directly with district leadership, surface concerns and seek clarity, accountability and transparency. District leaders acknowledged the harm that was caused, offered public apologies and committed to new policies and procedures, as well as ongoing education in partnership with Jewish organizations, to help prevent similar incidents in the future. While trust has clearly been damaged and will take time to rebuild, we have been clear that this is not a one-night fix. Rebuilding trust will require sustained engagement, consistent follow-through and continued partnership — and we remain closely involved to ensure commitments made to Jewish families are carried out.

We continue to see extensive and ongoing concern from families across the School District of Philadelphia and other local systems — concerns that have persisted for at least the past two years. Parents are asking whether antisemitism is being taken seriously when it appears and whether their children can bring their full identities into classrooms with confidence and dignity. These concerns are not new, and they are not abstract. They deserve a serious, sustained response. You can click here to see a resource guide on how to talk to your child about antisemitism.

Nationally, we continue to see acts of hatred that strike at the core of Jewish life. Last weekend, Beth Israel Congregation, the largest synagogue in Mississippi and the only Jewish house of worship in Jackson, was severely damaged in a predawn fire that authorities have determined was arson. A suspect has since been indicted by a federal grand jury under hate crime laws. No congregants were present, and no injuries were reported, though parts of the building, including offices and the library, were damaged. Founded in the 1860s, the synagogue has long been a cornerstone of Jewish life in the region, making this attack especially painful.

These incidents are not isolated. They reflect a broader climate in which antisemitism is becoming more visible and more normalized — and in which Jewish communities are being forced to confront threats that feel both relentless and deeply personal.

Globally, instability continues to deepen. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s repression of its own people, alongside escalating threats toward Israel, underscores how fragile security and human dignity are right now. For many in our community, this is not abstract. Friends, colleagues and family members who serve as reservists are receiving calls to be prepared to step in as the situation evolves. Their families are living with uncertainty, anxiety and the weight of what may come next.

In moments like these, Jewish history reminds us that vigilance matters and that strong, organized communities matter even more.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is actively engaged on multiple fronts, working with school districts and civic leaders to address antisemitism and demand accountability, coordinating with trusted partners to support community security and education, and staying closely connected to national and global networks responding to threats against Jewish life and democratic values. You can learn more about our Center to Combat Antisemitism by clicking here. 

We want you to know that we are paying close attention and working deliberately, not reactively, to protect our community and uphold our values. The Jewish community is resilient, and we will not be intimidated.

Thank you for your trust, partnership and commitment to Jewish life. We remain committed to ensuring that Jewish life can be lived openly, safely and proudly in Greater Philadelphia, across the country and around the world.

If you experience or witness antisemitism, report it at jewishphilly.org/report. 

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