June 24, 2022
‘Abortion access is a Jewish value’: Reaction to Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade
Forward
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade. The decision ended constitutional protections for the right to an abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years. Abortion opponents have fought for decades to outlaw the procedure. Abortion will now likely be banned in about half of the states.
Here is a sampling of reaction from the Jewish community.
June 24, 2022
‘After Shabbat, we will act’: American Jews gear up for wave of post-Roe activism
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
The Washington D.C.-area JCRC said it would push back against further restrictions on abortion access in Virginia, and it would lobby to keep Congress, which has a degree of jurisdiction over the District of Columbia, from imposing abortion restrictions on an overwhelmingly liberal population there that rejects such restrictions.
June 24, 2022
JCRC CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT DECISION OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE
JCRC of Greater Washington
JCRC CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT DECISION OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE
June 20, 2022
Antisemitic, white supremacist fliers raise alarms in Montgomery County
Washington Jewish Week
“Some of it is antisemitic, some of it is racist, and a lot of it is white supremacist in origin,” said Halber, a resident of Germantown and member of Temple Beth Ami. “The one in Kemp Mill was directed at the Jewish community. The others were just bigoted in general, not just Jewish but could be seen as targeting other groups, as well.”
June 20, 2022
Is D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in trouble at the polls?
Jewish Insider
“JCRC does have an exceptionally close relationship with Muriel Bowser,” Halber said.
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June 2, 2022
Statement on Antisemitic Vandalism in Montgomery County
JCRC of Greater Washington
For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 2, 2022
Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Council, and the Jewish Community Relations Council on Antisemitic Vandalism in Montgomery County
June 2, 2022
Swastika Posted at Bus Stop by Silver Spring Synagogue
mymcm
Ron Halber, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington executive director, also issued a statement noting that his organization is “deeply disturbed,”
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May 24, 2022
JCRC of Greater Washington
Washington DC— May 16, 2022 – The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington is pleased to announce that it has been awarded grants from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (JFGW), the Shapiro Foundation, and the Welcome US Fund, to coordinate and expand Jewish engagement in the local resettlement of Afghan newcomers.
May 23, 2022
Montgomery County Vigil Supporting Victims of Buffalo Mass Shooting
JCRC
The JCRC’s Executive Director Ron Halber speaks at Montgomery County Vigil Supporting Victims of Buffalo Mass Shooting
May 23, 2022
New Loudoun County schools data shows significant increase in racial slurs, hate speech
ABC7 WJLA
“I think it mirrors the trends that we’re seeing in society overall,” said Guila Franklin Siegel, the associate director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
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May 20, 2022
Washington Jewish Week
Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, has worked with Filler-Corn and calls her an excellent speaker. Impressed with her fundraising abilities, Halber said he is turned off by calls that she didn’t share the money she had raised.
May 17, 2022
Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice’ held outside US Congress
The Jerusalem Post
Ron Halber, CEO of JCRC of Greater Washington. “The JCRC is the umbrella organization of over 120 synagogues, schools, social service agencies and local chapters of national organizations,” said Halber. “And when you look at the issues today that are polarizing Americans, one of the issues that American Jews are most united on is the freedom of choice and women’s right to reproductive health.”
April 27, 2022
Jewish communities in the US mark the Holocaust Remembrance Day
The Jerusalem Post
In the Washington DC area, the local JCRC will host a virtual community-wide commemoration online at 1 PM on Sunday, May 1. Holocaust survivor Josie Traum will be the keynote speaker.
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March 29, 2022
JCRC & Federation Statement Following Today's Terror Shooting Attack in Israel
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the JCRC of Greater Washington condemn today’s deadly terror shooting attack in Israel—the most recent in a spate of vile attacks by those opposed to peace—and we are heartbroken by the loss of at least five Israeli lives. The continued incitement of violence has no justification, and we call upon all peace-loving individuals to join us in its condemnation.
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March 22, 2022
JCRC & Federation Statement Following Today's Stabbing Attack
JCRC of Greater Washington
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March 9, 2022
JCRC of Greater Washington
Decent, safe, accessible, and affordable housing is a basic human right. As embodied in the landmark United States Housing Act of 1937, it is the goal of the United States to provide “decent and affordable housing for all citizens.” The federal Fair Housing Act provides that housing is a civil right and that discrimination in housing related matters is a violation of federal law.
Jewish tradition recognizes the importance of the home; we are taught that the home is a mikdash me’at—a mini sanctuary, a sacred place. -
February 26, 2022
Local organization aims to help as Jewish Ukrainians concerned by Putin's rhetoric
ABC7 WJLA
Halber says one cause for concern today for many the 200,000 Jewish people who call Ukraine home, is Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that one purpose of this invasion is the so-called "denazification" of the country.
February 25, 2022
Proposal to end solitary confinement fails
VPM
Advocates opposed the committee’s decision to study, rather than act on the issue. Vicki Fishman represents the Jewish Community Relations Council, which supported Morrissey’s original proposal.
January 31, 2022
Funds Available for Security at Montgomery County Houses of Worship
NBC Washington
Montgomery County announced a series of grants to help pay for security at houses of worship. News4’s Derrick Ward reports.
January 29, 2022
Fairfax County adopts school calendar with more religious holidays
The Washington Post
Guila Franklin Siegel, associate director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, pointed out that the vote for the new calendar took place on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
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January 28, 2022
Forty-two Jewish institutions to benefit from security grants
Washington Jewish Week
Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, said while Jews constitute about 2 percent of the U.S. population, about 60 percent of religious-based hate crimes target Jewish institutions and people. He also noted the increase in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, Muslim Americans, African Americans and other groups in the last several years.
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January 28, 2022
Fairfax County schools adopt equitable academic calendar with goal of more inclusion
ABC7 WJLA
Guila Franklin Siegel, Associate Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington, released the following statement.
We are elated that the Fairfax County School Board has taken this landmark, long overdue step to advance equity for minority-faith students. Tonight’s vote is a game-changer; it will have an immediate, dramatic impact on FCPS’ Jewish students and employees, as well as those of other minority faiths, who for the first time will feel that they have been truly seen and heard. Importantly, it also remedies the system-wide confusion and hardships caused by the current “O” calendar, which both teachers and students found highly problematic, and gives Veteran’s Day the recognition it deserves. And it accomplishes all of this without disadvantaging hourly workers or diminishing quality instruction, recognizing the importance to staff of aligning FCPS’ calendar with those of neighboring jurisdictions.
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January 27, 2022
JCRC Statement on Fairfax County School Board landmark vote for equitable calendar
JCRC of Greater Washington
Tonight the Fairfax County School Board for the first time adopted an academic calendar that includes closures on three days coinciding with widely observed minority-faith holidays, Yom Kippur, Eid-al-Fitr and Diwali, as well as a professional day on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. It also includes scheduled professional days on Veteran’s Day and Orthodox Good Friday. This brings Fairfax County into alignment with five neighboring schools districts across Northern Virginia that had already adopted more equitable, inclusive calendars.
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January 27, 2022
Important News: Montgomery County Jewish Institutions Awarded Operating Dollars for Security Needs
JCRC of Greater Washington
We are pleased to inform you that at a press conference today headlined by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, he announced that the county has awarded a total of $700,000 in security grants for faith based non-profit organizations. In contrast to the federal and Maryland state security grants that are geared towards capital needs, this grant is focused on operating funds -that is resources to hire off-duty police officers to protect our houses of worship, day schools, and agencies.
January 27, 2022
County giving $700,000 to houses of worship to help with security
Bethesda Magazine
Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, said in an interview that other funding sources, like federal and state grants, are mostly used for capital projects.
Halber said that replacing a security system is helpful, but the number one deterrent to attacks leading to injuries or deaths at a house of worship is by having an off-duty police officer or some other security presence, at least on a part-time basis.
