September 13, 2023
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) recognizes that fighting to protect American democracy is no less than a fight for Jewish security and prosperity in the United States.
-
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.
-
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:
-
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.
March 24, 2023
Antisemitic incidents spike 261% across Montgomery County, ADL reports
Moco360 Media
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) Associate Director Guila Siegel told MoCo360 that the ADL’s new data “completely validates and tracks” with what her organization has been seeing in its day-to-day work across the state.
-
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.
-
March 3, 2023
Children of Holocaust survivors recount parents’ experiences to MCPS students
Moco360 Media
Liss is one of 12 second-generation Holocaust survivors invited into Montgomery County Public Schools to narrate their families’ experiences for students in order to humanize the devastating historical event, thanks to a program sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
-
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.
-
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.
-
February 14, 2023
More fentanyl forums, training at MCPS planned in response to drug overdoses, antisemitic acts
Moco360 Media
The JCRC also brings Holocaust survivors and their descendants into schools to narrate their family’s experiences for students. Winkelman told MoCo360 she’s always amazed by the level of engagement among students when a survivor speaks. “You can hear a pin drop,” she said.
January 24, 2023
Reward offered in antisemitic vandalism incidents in Montgomery Co.
WTOP News
Anyone with information on the two vandalisms can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 866-411-TIPS (8477) or visit the Crime Solvers website.
January 21, 2023
Swastikas drawn this week at three MCPS schools, district announces
Bethesda Magazine
“In collaboration with advocates such as the Jewish Community Relations Council, we will continue our efforts to educate our students about antisemitism,” officials wrote. “Our schools have held and will continue to hold restorative conversations with students and staff, and schools have held community meetings to discuss incidents, but honest and forthright conversations must continue.”
December 18, 2022
Antisemitism casts darkness amid Hanukkah lights
The Washington Post
On Saturday, she and three other Jewish students from Walt Whitman were together at a club activity when they received a schoolwide email about the vandalism at their school.
December 18, 2022
Jewish groups condemn series of antisemitic incidents in Washington, DC area
The Jerusalem Post
“We will continue to stand strong and united in the face of antisemitism and combat it explicitly, and we will ensure that hatred – in any form – never hinders our efforts and ability to build vibrant Jewish life for ourselves and our children.”
-
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.
-
December 17, 2022
Antisemitic graffiti found at Montgomery County’s Whitman High
WTOP News
In response to the most recent graffiti, the Anti-Defamation League of D.C., the American Jewish Committee of D.C., the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington released a joint statement, expressing anger and disgust.
November 15, 2022
Dozens come together to support Jewish community after antisemitic graffiti found on Bethesda trail
WUSA9
November 14, 2022
Antisemitic graffiti found at two locations in Montgomery County
DC News Now
“If society doesn’t show that it is steadfast against bigotry, and against hatred and racism and homophobia and antisemitism, it manifests,” said Ron Halber the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
-
November 13, 2022
Montgomery County Council passes antisemitism resolution amid pushback
The Washington Post
“We are living in very, very dangerous times,” said Ron Halber, the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, who supported the resolution. “That just highlights the need for a repudiation of antisemitism.”
-
November 6, 2022
Montgomery resolution against antisemitsm excluded true debate
The Washington Post
In the article, Ron Halber, the lobbyist putting forward the bill, commented that only individuals who are Jewish should provide feedback on antisemitism definitions.
November 3, 2022
Montgomery County Council unanimously passes antisemitism resolution
Washington Jewish Week
Following the unanimous vote, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington issued a statement thanking the council and noted, “This resolution is overwhelmingly supported by Montgomery County’s diverse Jewish community.”
November 2, 2022
US Jewish leaders respond to early Israeli election results
Cleveland Jewish News
Adam Odesser, director of the Dr. Stuart Lessans Israel Action Center at the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, who told JNS that the high turnout among the electorate on Tuesday “shows how Israel is a thriving democracy. The turnout was one of the highest percentages in the past 20 years. And I think we should wait to see what the results show. But no matter who comes up on top, I think we will continue to work with whoever is there, and our connection will continue to be strong.”
-
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.
November 1, 2022
Kids Helping Kids Do What They Love – Building with LEGOs
Identity
The LEGOs were donated by Gaby and Alyssa Hodor, students at Walt Whitman High School, who connected to Identity with the help of the Jewish Community Relations Council. Last year, Gaby and Alyssa co-founded the LEGO Replay club, where Whitman students assemble LEGO kits for distribution to nonprofit organizations across Montgomery County.
