November 22, 2023
JCRC Statement on Deal to Release 50 Hostages
JCRC of Greater Washington
The following is a statement from Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington, in response to the agreement to release dozens of Israeli hostages held in captivity by Hamas since October 7:
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November 16, 2023
JCRC of Greater Washington Condemns Violent Anti-Israel Protest Outside DNC Headquarters
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC of Greater Washington condemns in the strongest terms possible the violent demonstration that occurred Wednesday evening outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill. We greatly appreciate U.S. Capitol Police for removing the unruly protesters and find it unconscionable that six officers were injured by protesters as they attempted to break up the crowd.
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November 8, 2023
JCRC and ADL Washington Statement on CASA Anti-Israel Social Media Post
JCRC of Greater Washington
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October 11, 2023
JCRC and ADL DC Demand More from All Local School Districts
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC of Greater Washington and ADL DC released the following statement today:
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August 28, 2023
Statement on Hate-Motivated Deadly Shooting in Jacksonville This Weekend
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC of Greater Washington is saddened and outraged that yet another instance of hate-fueled gun violence on Saturday shattered numerous lives in Jacksonville, where the Black community was once again targeted.
On a day when thousands of people gathered to mark the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, we saw another mass shooting carried out by a white supremacist whose firearm bore Nazi symbols and who had written manifestoes outlining his hateful ideology.
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May 25, 2023
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC of Greater Washington is grateful that the Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget approved today by the Montgomery County Council increases security funding for all faith-based nonprofits at risk for hate crimes by $100,000 to a total of $900.000.
Obtaining additional security dollars is a top priority for the JCRC given the dramatic increase in antisemitism in recent years. These funds are critical to safeguarding the Jewish community and other minority groups who regularly face threats of violence from extremist individuals and radical organizations. -
May 8, 2023
Virginia Jewish Communities Statement Upon Governor Youngkin’s Signing of IHRA Legislation
JCRC of Greater Washington
Following the signing into law today of HB 1606, which adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, Virginia’s Jewish Communities issued the following joint statement:
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May 1, 2023
Statement upon Senator Ben Cardin’s announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2024
JCRC of Greater Washington
"For more than 55 years, Ben Cardin has devoted his life to public service to improve the lives of all Marylanders, first in the State House and then on Capitol Hill. He has been an extraordinarily effective leader, legislator, and unapologetic consensus builder who embodies Jewish values.
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March 9, 2023
Statement on Minister Smotrich's Visit
JCRC of Greater Washington
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s upcoming visit to the United States has galvanized opposition across the American political spectrum and the U.S. Jewish community. The hateful views long expressed by Minister Smotrich are abhorrent, are opposed by a majority of Israeli citizens, and run contrary to Jewish values. No public servant should ever condone or incite hatred or hate-motivated violence, and when they do, they will be fiercely condemned by a wide swath of American Jewry.
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February 28, 2023
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Virginia Jewish Communities thank the General Assembly for their bipartisan work in adopting – by overwhelming majority – the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism as a guide and tool for training, education, understanding and combatting antisemitism.
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February 22, 2023
JCRC Responds to Dr. McKnight Remarks
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC is gratified that Dr. McKnight’s remarks today about the cascade of recent antisemitic incidents within MCPS included specific measures being taken to ensure greater accountability for perpetrators of these incidents. Students and their parents must know that there will be serious consequences for the propagation of ugly hatred that deeply, tangibly harms our Jewish students, families and employees and those of other marginalized groups.
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December 17, 2022
Joint response to new antisemitic incidents
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC of Greater Washington, ADL DC, AJC DC, and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington are angered and disgusted by the additional acts of antisemitic graffiti and vandalism in our region this weekend.
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November 1, 2022
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC of Greater Washington thanks the Montgomery County Council for passing a non- binding resolution that affirms using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA ) definition of antisemitism as an educational tool in combating antisemitism in all forms of its manifestations. This resolution is overwhelmingly supported by Montgomery County’s diverse Jewish community.
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July 14, 2022
Faith Community Advisory Group Statement on recent hate incidents
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Faith Community Advisory Group is very disturbed to learn about the incidents impacting St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Parish, North Bethesda United Methodist Church, and Wildwood Baptist Church over the weekend. We strongly condemn these manifestations of intolerance and hate.
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June 28, 2022
JCRC CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT DECISION IN SCHOOL PRAYER CASE
JCRC of Greater Washington
Ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton will inevitably harm Jewish and other minority-faith students
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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
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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
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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.
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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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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.
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January 16, 2022
Grateful for a safe resolution
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Community Relations Council are immensely grateful and relieved that the hostages held in Congregation Beth Israel are now free. We commend the bravery of the FBI, state, and local law enforcement who ensured this situation resolved safely.
Our hearts and thoughts remain with the Colleyville Jewish community. We pray for the complete healing of all those involved in this deeply traumatic event.
Federation and the JCRC remain committed to combating antisemitism and all forms of hatred everywhere in America.
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January 15, 2022
JCRC/Federation statement on hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, TX
JCRC of Greater Washington
Shabbat should be a time of peace and joy. But this Shabbat, the Jewish community of Colleyville, Texas was attacked by an assailant who took hostages at area synagogue Congregation Beth Israel.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington stand with the Texas Jewish community as this frightening situation continues to unfold, and we pray for a swift and safe resolution. -
December 21, 2021
JCRC of Greater Washington
Joint JCRC, ADL and American Jewish Committee Statement on DCPS Holocaust Education Incident
