Yom Kippur marked amid increased antisemitism in Pa.
Jewish faithful around the world are marking the final day of Yom Kippur. It's thought of as the holiest day of the Jewish year.
This year, celebrations are happening under ever-increasing security as attacks and threats against the Jewish community continue to rise.
The sanctuary of Congregation Rodeph Shalom, though, was filled with people on Thursday.
"It's the holiest holiday there is for us," said Josh Laster, executive director of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Spring Garden.
Rodeph Shalom held several services for Yom Kippur, which means "day of atonement."
"It's a very introspective holiday," said Laster. "People have a chance to repent for their sins to seek forgiveness from others. To look for ways to be better in the year to come."
"It's really comforting," said Spencer Hoffman of Montclair, NJ, as she held her young son. "It's also nice to introduce my son to that community and sort of teach him those values and the importance of reflection early on."
The meaningful holiday was upheld even as the Jewish community faces increased threats, causing synagogues to keep an increased focus on security. Everyone entering Rodeph Shalom was screened before going in.
"It's standard practice for us to have security at the building. Unfortunately, it's the time we've been living in," said Laster.
"We see synagogues needing to increase their security, as we're seeing in a number of places when we look at this extremist violence," said Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Philadelphia Sr. Regional Director Andrew Goretsky.
The ADL says Pennsylvania now ranks fourth in the country for antisemitic incidents. For some, the fear is too much.
"We often speak to community members who talk about their fear and anxiety going into communal spaces," said Goretsky.
Action News spoke with a security expert who says securing congregations for holidays like Yom Kippur often requires a combination of private security and local law enforcement.
With security guards trained to be both thorough and welcoming, Congregation Rodeph Shalom is determined to keep the focus on the peace and clarity that Yom Kippur can bring, even in the face of hate.
"Love is stronger than hate and it's something we all need to be focused on," said Laster.
