(The Center Square) – One day after the Passover Seder firebombing of his official residence in Harrisburg, Gov. Josh Shapiro hosted a second observation marking the beginning of the Jewish holiday in the partially-charred mansion.
In a statement issued Tuesday from the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition, leaders said they “stand in solidarity and his family in condemning the violent attack on their home during the first night of Passover.”
Although law enforcement has yet to classify the overnight attack as a hate crime, both Shapiro and the coalition noted that the symbolism cannot be overlooked, especially in the wider context of a rise in antisemitic attacks in Pennsylvania and across the country.
Before the April 13 firebombing, in which a 38-year-old Harrisburg man threw Molotov cocktails into the mansion’s dining room as Shapiro and his family slept upstairs, arguably the nation’s most high-profile attack on the Jewish community occurred in Pittsburgh seven years prior.
Eleven people died when a right-wing extremist opened fire at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the city’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. In 2023, a federal jury recommended a death sentence for the shooter.
“While the investigation continues, the convergence of these factors, especially given the long history of antisemitic pogroms on the Passover holiday, raises serious concerns and pain for our community,” the coalition said.
New details emerged Monday about the suspect. He has been officially charged with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, burglary, recklessly endangering another person, aggravated assault, and loitering and prowling at night time, according to a police affidavit.
During a Sunday press conference, Shapiro noted that the attack was targeted, though a more specific motive about why was not yet clear. He said the suspect may also face federal charges.
“When we were in the State Dining Room last night, gathered with the community and family and friends, we told the story of Passover, and it’s a story of going from bondage, from slavery into freedom,” Shapiro said. “I think it’s an important story, both literally and figuratively, to tell, and I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us, as they did here last night.
“I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love, stop me from being a leader of this commonwealth and looking out for all Pennsylvanians. I will not be deterred in my work, and I will not be afraid to do that work.”
