Jerusalem’s Kol Haneshama Reform synagogue has recently faced a series of attacks that have heightened concerns among its members about safety and security during religious observances. The incidents began around Rosh Hashanah and have continued through Yom Kippur, involving vandalism, break-ins, and assaults on worshippers.

During Rosh Hashanah services, Anna Estemker, director of the Kol Haneshama community, recounted an incident in which youths threw eggs at congregants. Estemker described the distress of having to explain to her daughter why their worship had been disrupted and their safety threatened. She said, “Instead of hearing the shofar, I had to talk to the police.”

The synagogue, located in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem, has also suffered property damage. Last month, several youths smashed a window, entered the building, and tore down a Pride flag displayed inside. Similar attacks, including another break-in and vandalism, took place on Yom Kippur and its eve, leading community members to arrange for security guards at the entrance during operating hours.

Members of the Reform congregation expressed frustration with the initial police response, which they said was dismissive. Following the break-in on Yom Kippur eve, police reportedly told the community there was little they could do since no significant damage occurred. However, the situation escalated after media attention and interventions by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and Knesset Member Gilad Kariv, a representative of the Democrats party, led to the arrest of three suspects on Wednesday.

Despite these developments, the atmosphere within the Kol Haneshama community remains tense. Noa Gibson, a 36-year-old congregant who has been part of the synagogue since birth and celebrated her bridal Shabbat there, described a prevailing sense of vulnerability. “It’s all anyone in the community is talking about right now,” she said. “What used to feel like a second home now feels under attack.”

Authorities have since increased their response, but community members continue to grapple with the fear that these incidents could recur. The attacks highlight ongoing tensions surrounding religious pluralism and LGBTQ+ acceptance within Jerusalem, where the Reform movement remains a minority in a city often dominated by Orthodox Jewish institutions.