June 2, 2022
Statement on Antisemitic Vandalism in Montgomery County
JCRC of Greater Washington
This morning, hateful, antisemitic flyers referencing the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and featuring white supremacist tags, were posted on a bus stop in the heart of the Kemp Mill Orthodox Jewish Community at the corner of Arcola Avenue and Lamberton Streets in Kemp Mill. We are shocked and outraged at this blatant attempt to intimidate and put fear into our Jewish community throughout our County and region. The Montgomery County Police Department is investigating this incident and they are working to determine who was behind this horrible act. It is our hope that the people who are responsible for this act are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
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May 24, 2022
JCRC of Greater Washington
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
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the JCRC of Greater Washington are horrified by today’s brutal terror attack in Beersheba, Israel, and heartbroken by the loss of at least four innocent Israeli lives. This follows several stabbing attempts in Israel over the past few weeks. The continued incitement of violence perpetuated by Islamic extremists has no justification, and we join Israel’s Jewish and Arab political parties in their unified condemnation of the attack.
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January 27, 2022
JCRC Statement on Fairfax County School Board landmark vote for equitable calendar
JCRC of Greater Washington
We are elated that the Fairfax County School Board has taken this landmark, long overdue step to advance equity for minority-faith students. Tonight’s vote is a game-changer; it will have an immediate, dramatic impact on FCPS’ Jewish students and employees, as well as those of other minority faiths, who for the first time will feel that they have been truly seen and heard. Importantly, it also remedies the system-wide confusion and hardships caused by the current “O” calendar, which both teachers and students found highly problematic, and gives Veteran’s Day the recognition it deserves. And it accomplishes all of this without disadvantaging hourly workers or diminishing quality instruction, recognizing the importance to staff of aligning FCPS’ calendar with those of neighboring jurisdictions.
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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.
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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. No one should ever be afraid to assemble in their place of worship. This situation is a sobering reminder that we must continue to combat and condemn antisemitism and all forms of hatred in America.
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December 21, 2021
JCRC of Greater Washington
Leaders of the JCRC of Greater Washington, the ADL Washington, D.C., and American Jewish Committee (AJC) met Monday evening with Dr. Lewis Ferebee, Chancellor of the DC Public Schools, and Rev. Thomas Bowen, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Religious Affairs, to discuss the horrific incident at Watkins Elementary School involving a school librarian who allegedly instructed third grade students to reenact the elements of the Holocaust. Dr. Ferebee was joined by several members of DCPS’ equity and elementary school management teams.
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October 26, 2021
JCRC Says New FCPS “O” Calendar Does Not Remedy Accommodation Failures
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) yesterday wrote to the Fairfax County School Board to share the results of its informal survey of Jewish parents, teachers, and students who sought accommodations to observe the High Holidays last month.
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October 21, 2021
JCRC Outraged by Sunrise DC’s Antisemitic Statement
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC is outraged by Sunrise DC’s refusal to speak at the Freedom to Vote rally this weekend due to the participation of the JCPA, NCJW and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. The “opposition to Zionism” Sunrise DC so proudly espouses constitutes the fundamental denial of the Jewish people’s right to self-determination and is therefore antisemitic at its core.
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October 1, 2021
Jewish Community Outraged by Antisemitic Attack on Elected Official
JCRC of Greater Washington
As the Jewish high holidays came to a close on Wednesday evening, we were outraged to learn of yet another incident of campaign-related antisemitism in Virginia, this one targeting Delegate Dan Helmer. The Northern Virginia state legislative incumbent candidate was targeted in a mailer created by a challenging candidate in which Helmer’s digitally altered image is shown—in a classic antisemitic trope, overlooking stacks of oversized gold coins.
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September 9, 2021
Jewish Community Applauds Gov. Northam for Religious Sensitivity
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington today thanked Virginia Governor Ralph Northam for elevating and recognizing the critical importance of cultural and religious sensitivity in our school systems. Governor Northam heard recommendations from a taskforce he appointed to determine how Commonwealth schools can increase religious equity.
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July 30, 2021
Jewish Community Dismayed by Trend of Offensive Remarks Minimizing the Holocaust
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington is dismayed by yet another instance of a public figure making offensive remarks that minimize the Holocaust in what has become a sickening trend. History teacher and candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates Julie Perry this week likened being a conservative in Virginia to being a Jew in Nazi Germany. Also this week, candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates Charles Russel Harper on Twitter compared yellow wristbands given to NFL players to signify their unvaccinated status to the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear by the Nazi regime.
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June 17, 2021
Protecting Our Community: The JCRC Combats Antisemitism
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC envisions a Greater Washington Region with zero tolerance for antisemitism. The recent sharp rise in antisemitic incidents resulting from the conflict between Israel and Hamas demonstrates the need for the JCRC’s ongoing efforts to address this oldest hatred. As only one example among many, just yesterday, we were horrified to learn of hateful, antisemitic, homophobic flyers attacking the Fairfax County School Board distributed at homes in the Springfield and Sully districts. The JCRC is committed to responding forcefully to these hateful attacks and building a community of mutual respect for all.
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May 19, 2021
JCRC Rescinds Honor to Fairfax County School Board Member Abrar Omeish
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC has cancelled its decision to honor at its annual meeting to be held tomorrow, May 20, Ms. Abrar Omeish, one of the five members of the Fairfax County School Board who partnered with the JCRC to champion faith equity during the Board’s recent deliberations on the 2021-2022 calendar.
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May 11, 2021
Statement on Situation in Israel
JCRC of Greater Washington
The JCRC of Greater Washington stands with our sisters and brothers in Israel. We condemn Hamas and Islamic Jihad, whose rocket fire incessantly and indiscriminately targets Israelis, and we mourn the deaths of those who have been killed in the barrage. The violence perpetuated by Hamas terrorists has no justification. It is not about evictions, annexation, or two states; nor is it about building a better future for Palestinians; the sole purpose of these attacks on civilians is to perpetuate terror and to take advantage of an already tense situation solely for Hamas’s own political benefit.
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April 30, 2021
JCRC of Greater Washington
As we enter a somber Shabbat for the Jewish people, we are still reeling from the tragic loss of life at Mount Meron in Israel during a celebration of Lag Ba’Omer. Many families are still searching for their loved ones, while others are caring for the seriously injured, or grieving.
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April 20, 2021
JCRC Statement: A Step Towards Justice
JCRC of Greater Washington
Today jurors in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin found the defendant guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd.
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April 8, 2021
JCRC of Greater Washington
Today is Yom Ha'Shoah, the sacred day when the Jewish community mourns the murder of six million Jews, including one million children, at the hands of the Nazi killing machine. We are outraged and hurt that on this day, an official elected to represent the people of Maryland chose to cheapen the memory of the Holocaust in order to score a political point.
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March 19, 2021
FCPS School Calendar Vote: A letter from the JCRC
JCRC of Greater Washington
As Shabbat nears, we want to take a moment to reflect on last night’s deeply disappointing vote by the Fairfax County School Board. Like so many of you, we hoped that meaningful progress was finally within reach, after years of struggling with FCPS over unfair treatment of Jewish students forced to miss school on our holidays, endure inappropriate Christmas-related activities, and bear the brunt of increasing incidents of antisemitism.
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March 18, 2021
Letter to Montgomery County Board of Education on Proposed 2021-2022 Calendar Options
JCRC of Greater Washington
Dear President Wolff and fellow Board of Education members: We write to you today in reference to your upcoming vote on the 2021-2022 MCPS calendar. We wish to bring to your attention a conflict in one of the two proposed calendars currently under consideration, which would negatively impact many members of the Montgomery County Jewish community.
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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.
