JCRC Statement
June 18, 2026
The following is a statement from Ron Halber, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington.
“We congratulate Councilmember Janeese Lewis George on her victory in the Democratic mayoral primary. We have previously worked well with her and her staff on areas of mutual concern, and we look forward to that work continuing.
“We urge her and the winners in other races to ensure that DC remains a welcoming place for everyone. That starts with categorically rejecting any political organization or ideology that demonizes people based on their religion, race, ethnicity, or any other criteria.
“The Metro DC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America used this election to put forward an extremist agenda that would systematically erase Jewish Americans from public life. Should Councilmember Lewis George win the general election, we urge her to appoint people and pursue policies that reflect inclusion, not exclusion. DSA’s ostracism towards Jews has no place in DC or anywhere else in America.
“As proud Jews, we will always stand up for our values, interests and priorities. The stakes could not be higher. DC is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Jewish communities in the country. Yet it also has an unacceptably high rate of antisemitism, including the horrific murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky following an event at the Capital Jewish Museum last year.
“The JCRC will continue to push for policies that make DC a safer and fairer city. That includes increasing funding for nonprofit security grants, paying teachers and childcare workers what they deserve, protecting our schools, and looking out for immigrants and all other marginalized communities. The JCRC will also continue to support home rule and self-determination for the District's roughly 700,000 residents.
“On behalf of the tens of thousands of Jews who call DC home, we stand ready to help policymakers accomplish big things for a wonderful city. Because especially in our nation’s capital, everyone deserves to belong.”