Boston bombings curb Israeli Independence Day celebrations in US
Local Jewish schools beef security, leave flags at half-mast in solidarity with victims
NEW YORK (JTA) — Israeli Independence Day celebrations Tuesday in Boston were muted and security was increased in the wake of bombings that left three dead and dozens injured at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
Mike Rosenberg, director of community relations at Maimonides, a Jewish day school in nearby Brookline, said an event commemorating Israel’s 65th anniversary had been toned down out of respect for the victims of the attack and their families.
“Messages have gone out to parents and students that in the context of yesterday’s events there will be no dancing and more [words of Torah],” he said.
The Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston called off a flag-raising ceremony for Israel’s Independence Day, leaving its flags at half-mast. Shira Strosberg, the school’s director of communications, said security in and around its campus had been ratcheted up.
“We are obviously saddened and everybody came to school today with a heavy heart,” she said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the bombings.”
So far, no one has taken responsibility for the two explosions near the finish line and there is no indication Jewish institutions are at any particular risk. Nonetheless, community officials told JTA they remained vigilant.