Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on April 13. Photo by Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
By Jacob Kornbluh
April 17, 2025
In the days since a Passover arson attack forced his family’s evacuation from the governor’s mansion, just hours after their first night Seder, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has been leaning on his faith, he’s said. On Thursday, serving lunch (with international chef Robert Irvine) at the local fire station to firefighters who responded to the blaze, he received a particularly moving prayer from the chaplain of the Harrisburg Fire Department — one traditionally recited to children before they go to sleep each night.
Shapiro told reporters that the Priestly Blessing, known in Hebrew as Birkat Kohanim, was one of many prayers his family received, but this one brought special comfort. The passage is part of the bedtime prayer, known as Kriyat Shema al Hamita — a traditional prayer seeking divine protection from evil forces while sleeping.
“That’s a prayer and a hope that we have for our kids every day, that they have peace in their lives,” Shapiro said, after reciting the blessing he received in writing. “Obviously, that peace was shattered on Sunday morning. But it is a hope and a prayer that we have, not just for our kids, but every child across Pennsylvania that they live in a society that’s free and peaceful, where they are protected and they are watched over by God.”
He added that the prayers shared by people of all faiths are “lifting” his family up, “and it feels like it’s wrapped around us and protecting us during this time.”
VIDEO: Shapiro tells reporters it was the Birkat Kohanim prayer in the Shema that is traditionally recited for children before they go to sleep each night ⬇️ https://t.co/d1etCOJ9tg pic.twitter.com/cYMcHkis1t
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) April 17, 2025
No one was injured in the fire, which caused extensive damage. Police said that the suspect, Cody Balmer, has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, terrorism and other offenses for starting a fire in the governor’s official residence on the first night of Passover. He reportedly told a 911 operator that he was sending a message to Shapiro that he would not “take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.” Balmer told investigators he was “harboring hatred” toward Shapiro and that he wanted to beat him with a sledgehammer.
Shapiro declined to discuss the suspect’s motive.
In a letter to the Justice Department on Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for a federal investigation of the attack as a possible antisemitic hate crime. “Our federal authorities must bring the full weight of our civil-rights laws to bear in examining this matter,” wrote Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in America. “No person or public official should be targeted because of their faith, and no community should wonder whether such acts will be met with silence.”
Speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon, Shapiro called Schumer’s call unhelpful to the investigation. “I don’t think it’s helpful for people on the outside who haven’t seen the evidence, who don’t know what occurred, who are applying their own viewpoints to the situation, to weigh in in that manner,” he said. “My trust is with the prosecutor to make the decision. He’ll make the right decisions, and I will be fully supportive of whatever decision he makes.” He added he’d also respect a decision by the DOJ to investigate it as a federal hate crime.
Shapiro said that his message to all Pennsylvanians after the attack is: ”Do not be deterred in practicing your faith. Do not be deterred in being proud of who you are. I’m proud of who I am.”
Photos released by the governor’s office show a burned haggadah and a singed sign for Passover crafts. At a news conference on Wednesday, Shapiro said his family had brought Seder plates from their personal residence and he didn’t know whether they had been damaged or destroyed. On Thursday, he said workers were able to recover certain ritual items from the fire that can be kept at the residence or displayed at the State Museum and State Archives.
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