Harrisburg Jewish federation collapse leaves community rebuilding from the ground up

The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has collapsed, leading to the layoff of its entire staff and the planned sale of its Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life, purchased for $4.5 million in 2022. This decline, affecting the city's 9,000 Jews, resulted from a "not viable" business model, particularly the financial strain of the campus, which accumulated a $9 million mortgage. The Jewish Federations of North America intervened, dispatching a former federation leader to assist with financial decisions. The collapse has led to the closure of programs like the Brenner Family Early Learning Center and the displacement of institutions such as the Silver Academy, which will relocate to Beth El Temple. Community members express a desire to rebuild, with Eric Fingerhut, JFNA's president and CEO, stating, "While well-intentioned, there were clearly mistakes made that have set back Jewish life in Harrisburg and caused distress and division."