Local Jews and Muslims hold religious services, protests amid Israel-Gaza violence

Tensions stoked by the conflict in Israel and Gaza are becoming increasingly apparent in Massachusetts as Jews and Muslims take part in Friday religious services, and as activists with a wide variety of viewpoints hold rallies.

There’s been concern in some quarters about possible attacks on synagogues following Hamas’ call for a “day of rage” in support of their attack in southern Israel last weekend, and as the Israeli government prepares a ground invasion of Gaza that could devastate the civilian population. Massachusetts law enforcement agencies have said they’re not aware of any credible threats.

Some Jewish leaders say that worshipping under duress is nothing new for their congregations, or for Jews in general.

“Jews are always on alert,” said Barbara Berke, a member of Boston’s Temple Israel who also does work with the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. “There have been many threats and there have been many times, not just now, where the threat levels have been perceived to be high.”

Leaders at local mosques are also on alert, amid fears of an Islamophobic backlash. Imam Abdulqadir Farah with the Islamic Society of Boston says his mosque has received harassing voicemails ahead of its Friday prayer service. But he credits Boston Police with increasing their presence outside the mosque in recent days.

“We have to be vigilant as well,” said Imam Fahar. “We are vigilant as community members and as clergy, and our security personnel are also vigilant. We don’t [want] anything bad to happen.”

The services for both faiths come amid a surge of activism.

Myriad groups have held vigils and rallies to mourn the deaths of Israelis and Palestinians, and to protest the Israeli government’s plans to retaliate against Hamas. Israel has ordered residents of northern Gaza to evacuate southward ahead of a looming ground invasion that many fear could be indiscriminate in its impact and lead to thousands of civilian deaths. 

On Friday, members of the progressive Jewish group IfNotNow Boston went to U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren's office, urging her to make a statement calling for de-escalation.

“So many people have already died,” said Evvie Jagoda. “And what is it gonna do to just bomb Gaza, to displace a million people knowing that they won't be able to get out of town? It's not gonna bring back the lives of anyone who was killed. It's just gonna leave more people parentless and childless and more friends killed.”

Seven protesters remained sitting outside Warren's office after the building closed, their arms linked together as they chanted and prayed. They were arrested for failure to obey.

IfNotNow Boston also staged a Thursday night vigil in Copley Square, where members led a crowd through song, prayer and grief for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Addressing a crowd of dozens beneath a row of American flags hanging from the front of the Boston Public Library, organizers argued for the sanctity of all life.

Isabelle Levy said that she feels a moral obligation to honor the dead on all sides, and to speak out for a solution that doesn’t lead to more loss of life.

“We as Jews are not safe and we’re not free until everyone is free, and that’s why we’re here,” said Levy. “To mourn not just the lives of Israelis that have been lost, but also the Palestinians.”

The Thursday vigil concluded with a recitation of the Mourner’s Kaddish, the Jewish prayer said in the grief of death.

Jeff Keating contributed to this story.