ON THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS EFFORTS TO KEEP THE CELEBRATIONS SAFE. MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PITTSBURGH ARE RESPONDING TO A HEIGHTENED LEVEL OF ANXIETY IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS FOLLOWS THE ATTACK ON IRAN AND THE START OF A MAJOR JEWISH HOLIDAY. I CAN TELL YOU FROM THE PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS I’VE RECEIVED, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT CONCERN AND THERE’S ANXIETY. WHAT WILL THIS HOLIDAY LOOK LIKE? THAT’S HAPPENING TONIGHT AT SUNDOWN, THE HOLIDAY OF PURIM. PURIM IS THE CELEBRATION OF — ESCAPING THE LIKELIHOOD OF MASS EXECUTIONS AT THE HANDS OF HANGMEN OF PERSIA. AROUND 473. IT IS CELEBRATED BY READING THE BOOK OF ESTHER TONIGHT. AND THEN TOMORROW. IT’S GIVING FOOD AS GIFTS, GIVING TO CHARITIES, AND ENDING WITH A FEAST. DURING THIS TIME, MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ARE OUT AND ABOUT WITH HIGH VISIBILITY. THAT’S WHAT SETS OFF THE HEIGHTENED SENSE OF ANXIETY. BUT THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PITTSBURGH SAYS THERE IS COOPERATION WITH POLICE, AND MANY SYNAGOGUES HAVE THEIR OWN INTERNAL SECURITY AS IT RELATES TO PURIM. WE’VE COORDINATED WITH LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE SURE, ONE, THEY KNOW ABOUT THE HOLIDAY, WHAT THE PATTERN OF LIFE OF THAT HOLIDAY LOOKS LIKE. YOU KNOW, I’M SURE THERE’S PEOPLE THAT ARE A LITTLE CONCERNED. BUT, YOU KNOW, OVERALL, I THINK WE WE WE’RE, WE’RE WE’RE ABLE TO CELEBRATE SAFELY. AND AT THIS HOUR TONIGHT, THERE HAVE BEEN NO SPECIFIC THREATS REPORTED HERE IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA COVERING ALLEGHENY C
Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh responds to heightened sense of anxiety amid U.S. attack on Iran
Updated: 6:13 PM EST Mar 2, 2026
Following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, and the start of Purim, a major Jewish holiday starting Monday night, there is a level of anxiety that is getting attention.Members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh say those concerns have been expressed by many members of the Jewish community.”I can tell you from the phone calls and the emails I’ve received, there is significant concern, and there’s anxiety,” said Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.Purim is the celebration of Jews escaping mass executions at the hands of Haman of Persia, around 473 B.C.Today, it is celebrated with the reading of the Book of Esther, followed by the giving of food as gifts, charity donations, and ending with feasts.Participating in these events creates high visibility on public streets, which in turn has created a sense of concern and anxiety.However, the Jewish Federation says people should feel secure knowing that most, if not all, synagogues have internal security, in addition to cooperation with law enforcement on several levels.”As it relates to Purim, we’ve coordinated with local, state, and federal law enforcement to make sure that one, they know about the holiday, what the pattern of that holiday looks like,” Brokos said. No local threats have been reported leading up to the celebration of Purim.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
Following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, and the start of Purim, a major Jewish holiday starting Monday night, there is a level of anxiety that is getting attention.
Members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh say those concerns have been expressed by many members of the Jewish community.
“I can tell you from the phone calls and the emails I’ve received, there is significant concern, and there’s anxiety,” said Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
Purim is the celebration of Jews escaping mass executions at the hands of Haman of Persia, around 473 B.C.
Today, it is celebrated with the reading of the Book of Esther, followed by the giving of food as gifts, charity donations, and ending with feasts.
Participating in these events creates high visibility on public streets, which in turn has created a sense of concern and anxiety.
However, the Jewish Federation says people should feel secure knowing that most, if not all, synagogues have internal security, in addition to cooperation with law enforcement on several levels.
“As it relates to Purim, we’ve coordinated with local, state, and federal law enforcement to make sure that one, they know about the holiday, what the pattern of that holiday looks like,” Brokos said.
No local threats have been reported leading up to the celebration of Purim.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.