Maryland teens attend candlelight vigil at Jewish Community Center Thursday
BALTIMORE -- A vigil geared toward Jewish teenagers was held at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore on Thursday.
The horror in the Middle East playing has been affecting the Jewish community in Maryland. The violence erupted when Hamas launched a terror attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7.
"This has taken a such toll on the entire Jewish community but especially on young people," 4Front Baltimore Senior Director Diana Solomon said.
4Front Baltimore is an organization that works to support and empower Jewish teenagers. It operates out of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore.
4front and a few other organizations gathered together to plan a teen vigil for Israel at the JCC.
Everything came together in just a matter of days.
"Some prayer, some song, a candlelight vigil and really just a moment for teens to be together, to feel their emotions, to be in community and be in a space where they can be with their peers," Solomon said.
Solomon said many of the teens at the vigil were likely deeply affected by the devastation in Israel because they visited the country not too long ago through 4Front's Diller Program.
The program sends Jewish teens from Baltimore to Ashkelon near Gaza and teens from Ashkelon travel here.
The program has been going on for nearly two decades.
"There were probably seven different groups of teens just from Baltimore that went to Israel this summer, and once you've been there, and once you've met people and made these relationships, it impacts you that much more," Solomon said.
The JCC took precautions ahead of the vigil. There was armed security and Baltimore County Police made regular patrols.
"Just to give them a space to be together that they know is a safe and trusted space," Solomon said.
The vigil comes as law enforcement authorities are trying to reassure Maryland's communities of their security amid the international turmoil.
The Howard County Police Department issued a statement on Thursday that "no credible threats" have been made in Howard County.
"Police will continue to provide an increased police presence at and make additional area checks of religious and government buildings," the statement said. "We are coordinating with our state and federal partners and continuing to assess the situation."
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