March 2, 2020
MCPS implements new initiatives to fight hate
The Richard Montgomery High School Tide
According to WTOP, local hate and bias incidents have increased in the last few years, especially since this fall. A lot of these incidents have occurred in heavily populated schools such as Walt Whitman High School and Churchill High School. Superintendent Jack Smith recently held a meeting that mainly focused on hate and bias in schools
March 1, 2020
Jewish Groups Show solidarity with Chinese Americans Amid Coronavirus Scare
Jewish Press
More than 75 Jewish organizations across the United States signed an open letter showing solidarity with the American Chinese and Chinese communities in response to xenophobia over the spread of coronavirus.
February 28, 2020
Jewish groups show solidarity with Chinese Americans amid coronavirus scare
Jewish News Syndicate
(February 28, 2020 / JNS) More than 75 Jewish organizations across the United States signed an open letter showing solidarity with the American Chinese and Chinese communities in response to xenophobia over the spread of coronavirus.
February 28, 2020
Jewish groups show solidarity with Chinese Americans amid coronavirus scare
Cleveland Jewish News
More than 75 Jewish organizations across the United States signed an open letter showing solidarity with the American Chinese and Chinese communities in response to xenophobia over the spread of coronavirus.
February 27, 2020
Jewish groups show solidarity to China envoy after coronavirus xenophobia
The Jerusalem Post
Media reports indicated numerous racist incidents directed at Asian Americans since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
February 26, 2020 / Rosh Chodesh Adar 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Our Torah portion for this week, Terumah, focuses on building the tabernacle, a dwelling space for God. There are exact details on the length and height, the type of wood, metal, and fabric that needs to be used for each item.
February 19, 2020 / 24 Sh'vat 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
I attended my first Advocacy Day yesterday, spending the day in Annapolis, Maryland, advocating for issues important to the Jewish community.
February 12, 2020 / 17 Sh'vat 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Yitro, introduces us to Moses’ father-in-law, an experienced leader in his own right.
February 11, 2020
On the side of caution with Robert Graves
Washington Jewish Week
With a spike in anti-Semitic attacks here and around the country, the state of security in Jewish Washington is — what?
February 11, 2020
Nazi flag displayed in high school window prompts anger — and an investigation
The Washington Post
A Maryland school district is trying to ease tensions and has promised an investigation days after a Nazi flag was seen prominently displayed in a classroom window at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Md.
February 7, 2020
New Strategies To Combat Hate And Bias Unveiled In MCPS
Rockville Patch
ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County Public Schools leaders laid out new protocols Thursday on how to better address hate and bias incidents in the classroom.
February 7, 2020
MCPS unveils new plan to combat hate, bias in schools
Bethesda Magazine
Montgomery County Public Schools officials on Thursday unveiled what they called a “comprehensive plan” to curb hate and bias in the district’s 208 schools.
February 6, 2020
How Montgomery County Public Schools is tackling student vaping, hate on campus
WTOP News
Montgomery County Public School’s superintendent discussed a number of issues the school system currently faces, such as student vaping, hate incidents and pedestrian safety.
February 6, 2020
Montgomery County schools overhaul policies to address hate and bias
The Washington Post
Following a countywide push from students and parents, leaders in Maryland’s largest school district shared plans Thursday they say will improve the way the district deals with hate and bias in schools.
February 5, 2020 / 10 Sh'vat 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Our Torah portion for this week reminds us of the power of faith, using the Song of the Sea as an anthem.
February 1, 2020
MLK Day Injects Historic Urgency to Bond Between African Americans and Jews
Haaretz
U.S. community leaders, religious leaders and historians agree that much still connects the minority groups, despite worrisome trend of anti-Semitic incidents in New York
January 29, 2020 / 3 Sh'vat 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Bo, we learn that we should establish one law for the citizen and the stranger.
January 22, 2020
Do we need two days to commemorate the Holocaust?
Washington Jewish Week
For those who traditionally mark the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah, this other, U.N.-led memorial day (International Holocaust Remembrance Day) may seem odd. So how are these two days different? And do we need two days to remember the Holocaust and mourn the 6 million murdered Jews?
January 22, 2020 / 25 Tevet 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Our voices are better heard when we join together in unison, with a shared vision and goal.
January 20, 2020
Mayor of DC’s old sister city comes for reunion
Washington Jewish Week
Six years ago, Washington’s Jewish community severed its longtime sister city relationship with Beit Shemesh, some 10 miles west of Jerusalem.
January 20, 2020
Beit Shemesh Mayor Aliza Bloch visits Washington
The Jerusalem Post
January 17, 2020
Here's why some DC residents won't be attending the 2020 Women's March
WUSA9
Millions have attended the March, which is now in its fourth year, but some women said they now choose to participate in smaller, action-oriented demonstrations.
January 16, 2020
Mayor of Israel’s Fastest Growing City Brings Leadership Vision to Washington DC
Israel 365
Dr. Aliza Bloch, mayor of Beit Shemesh, has accepted an invitation from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington to travel to America’s capital to meet with Jewish and municipal leaders from January 15-18, 2020.
January 16, 2020
First female mayor of Beit Shemesh on first visit to Washington
Arutz Sheva
Dr. Aliza Bloch will share her solutions to what she defines as 'Israel’s most critical demographic challenges.'
January 15, 2020 / 18 Tevet 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
It is not enough for our communities to hear of each other’s pain. We can and must be present for each other, but we also need to plan for the future. When Pharaoh decreed that all male Israelite babies be killed, the midwives saved the babies and ensured a future for the Israelites. They knew that without the next generation, there was no hope.