Harrisburg Jewish Community

Harrisburg has an active and vibrant Jewish community — if you thought Jewish life in Pennsylvania was limited to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, you’re in for a surprise.

Beth El Temple is one of four synagogues in the city of Harrisburg, all within walking distance of each other, and there are several more in the surrounding suburbs. Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, and Hasidic branches of Judaism are all represented.

Beyond the synagogues, Harrisburg has:

• A large and active Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Center (including the Brenner Family Early Learning Center, youth and summer camp programs, and adult programs)
• The Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life (a 6.4 acre property which is in the process of becoming the new home of the Jewish Federation and several other Jewish community organizations)
• A Hebrew day school (The Silver Academy)
• Plenty of Kosher food options (the local Orthodox synagogue maintains an excellent list on their website)
• An acclaimed Jewish Film Festival
• And even a Jewish choral ensemble

Plus many other Jewish groups and organizations that are too numerous to mention here.

A defining feature of Jewish life in Harrisburg is cooperation. We do many things together as one Jewish community, even though we are all from different denominations and traditions. A highlight occurs during Rosh Hashanah, when the synagogues come together to hold a joint Tashlich service on the banks of the Susquehanna River in front of Beth El Temple.

If you want to find out more about what Harrisburg has to offer (Jewish life and otherwise), don’t hesitate to arrange a visit.