February 7, 2021
Jewish group assists food insecure neighbors at Holy Cross Hospital
Washington Jewish Week
February 3, 2021
Repairing the world from the Virginia statehouse
Jewish Insider
January 25, 2021
‘I don’t recognize our country’: Jewish lawmakers under siege respond
The Jerusalem Post
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January 25, 2021
Barbara Leaf could play a key role in Biden’s Middle East policy
Jewish Insider
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January 25, 2021
JCRC looks to make up for COVID losses in state budgets
Washington Jewish Week
January 19, 2021
JCRC of Greater Washington
Enshrined in the fundamental text of our Jewish heritage, the Torah, is a recognition of the role of both those who adjudicate the law (shoftim) and those who enforce it (shotrim) in the structures of a society based on law and civility (Deut. 16:18). The term, shoftim, refers to judges and the term, shotrim, in modern Hebrew, refers to police. The biblical commentator Rashi, writing in the 11th century, noted when judges (shoftim) rendered a legal decision, it was the police (shotrim) who were charged with enforcing that law even by using physical force. (Midrash Tanchuma, Shoftim 2:17). However, throughout the literature of our sages, attention has been given to the conduct, the decency and the character of both institutions. Both judges and police are expected to comport themselves in keeping with the highest standards of Jewish law and ethical teaching. Further, in the Torah (Ex. 12:49, Lev. 24:22, and others) we find instruction that the law should be applied equally and fairly to all, regardless of social status or origins.
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January 7, 2021
Jewish Community of the Nation’s Capital Condemns Violence at U.S. Capitol
JCRC of Greater Washington
Today’s attack on the most precious of American democratic traditions, the peaceful transfer of power, is reprehensible. The riots and loss of life are the inevitable result of President Trump’s and others’ incitement and the spreading of misinformation and conspiracy theories about theft and fraudulence in our presidential election, the fairness and authenticity of which have been confirmed by Republican and Democratic state and national elected officials and by multiple federal and state courts. Any attempt to undermine the rule of law is a threat to all American citizens, and today’s riots must be rejected by leaders from across the political spectrum.
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December 4, 2020
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington today applauded the Arlington County School Board and the Loudoun County School Board for voting to adopt academic calendars for the 2021-2022 school year that will close schools on days coinciding with major religious observances. Arlington County last night voted for a calendar with school closings on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, and Diwali, and Loudoun County earlier this week adopted a calendar with days off on Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, and Diwali. The JCRC also commends the Prince William County School Board, which last month adopted a calendar with all four closures. These long-sought adjustments reflect school leaders’ recognition of the growing diversity of Northern Virginia’s population.
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November 7, 2020
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington congratulate President-elect Joe Biden on his victory in the 2020 presidential election. American citizens came out in record numbers to participate in our democracy and their voices have been heard and counted. We further congratulate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on her historic victory as the first woman, black person, and person of South Asian descent to be elected to the office of Vice President. We pray they will lead our country with compassion, justice, and wisdom.
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October 29, 2020
Rabin’s legacy was complex and nuanced
Washington Jewish Week
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October 21, 2020
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) has a long history of advocacy for policies that protect the environment and mitigate past practices that have harmed and degraded it. The policies set forth in this Environmental Policy Paper are adopted by the Board of the JCRC and supersede prior policy papers issued by JCRC.
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October 13, 2020
The JCRC Statement on Threat to VA Governor Northam
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC is alarmed that conspirators who this week plotted to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also discussed Virginia Governor Ralph Northam as a potential target. Violence or violent threats targeting elected leaders are abhorrent in a civilized society and threaten the foundation of our democratic system.
October 7, 2020 / 19 Tishrei, 5781
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah 5781
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
On Yom Kippur, we came together virtually or in carefully limited groups and recited some of the most difficult prayers in Jewish liturgy. We asked for forgiveness, we searched our souls, and recalled those we lost. Yizkor, the service of remembrance, is a central feature of the Yom Kippur service. The memories of loved ones, of old friends, of public figures, sat with us as we prayed throughout that solemn day.
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October 2, 2020 / 14 Tishrei, 5781
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Sukkot is known as “zman simchateinu,” a time of our joy. Historically, we are celebrating the fall harvest and the biblical Israelites’ journey through the desert wilderness. We intentionally build fragile structures; for eight days we eat and even sleep within them, knowing it could be beautiful and sunny one day, cold and windy another.
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September 23, 2020 / 5 Tishrei 5781
Parashat Ha’azinu – Shabbat Shuvah
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
The ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are some of the most complicated days of the Jewish year. It is a time of standing between the joy and sweetness of welcoming the new year and the solemnity of Yom Kippur, a day of judgement. During this time, many Jews reflect on the past year and engage in the work of teshuva – repentance and recalibration with others, with God, and with oneself. This year, this meaningful work is happening in the shadow of a monumental event, the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
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September 18, 2020 / 29 Elul 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
For many people, Rosh Hashanah always seems to arrive before we are quite ready for it. This year, the feeling of being caught off guard is even more acute, because everything we typically associate with Rosh Hashanah is somehow different.
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September 17, 2020
The Jewish Community of the Nation's Capital Dismayed at Lack of Holocaust Awareness
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington is shocked and dismayed at the U.S. Millennial Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey put out by The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. The report reveals appallingly low levels of Holocaust awareness and understanding among American millennials and members of Generation Z in our region.
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September 15, 2020
The Jewish community of Greater Washington welcomes today’s signing of the Abraham Accords
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington join Jewish communities around the world in welcoming today’s historic signing of a peace accord between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. The two Arab countries finalized the normalization of relations and establishment of full diplomatic relations with Israel at a White House ceremony.
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September 2, 2020 / 13 Elul 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
In this week’s Torah portion Ki Tavo, a reminder that our society is not only experiencing the physical and emotional traumas of a pandemic – we are experiencing spiritual trauma – and we must address it.
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August 19, 2020 / 29 Av 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
In this week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, centers justice as a foundational precept for the Israelite nation, a platform that will carry them into peoplehood.
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August 12, 2020 / 22 Av 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
In this week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, includes instructions for how we should treat people in our communities, whether they are within our immediate networks or beyond.
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August 5, 2020 / 15 Av 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion Eikev, emphasizes that having enough food to eat should not be taken for granted. The Israelites are commanded, once they had enough to eat, to thank God for the food.
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July 29, 2020 / 8 Av 5780
Parashat Vaetchanan -Shabbat Nachamu
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion and haftarah (additional reading from the Prophets) demonstrates the necessity of comfort at difficult times.
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July 22, 2020 / Rosh Hodesh Av 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Today marks beginning of the month of Av, a pivotal point in the Jewish calendar. Lewis’ death adds another layer of sadness as we enter the month of Av and a period of mourning leading to Tisha B’Av, the saddest day in the Jewish year. It is a space for recalling many losses and painful moments in Jewish history while acknowledging that even in the most difficult times, there is a place for hope.
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July 15, 2020 / 23 Tammuz 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion is Guest Commentary by Rabbi Evan Krame, President, Washington Board of Rabbis
