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.
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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.
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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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June 2, 2020
Jewish Community of Greater Washington Expresses Solidarity with African-American Community
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington and dozens of Jewish organizations in the Washington region today issued the following statement following the killing by police of George Floyd and the ongoing response in our region and across the country:
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April 8, 2020
Chag Pesach Sameach, Happy Passover From The JCRC
JCRC of Greater Washington
As Jews worldwide prepare to welcome Passover 2020, we keenly feel its bittersweet resonance. With nearly half the world’s population in some type of quarantine, many of us will celebrate the Festival of Freedom separated from extended family, worried about ill loved ones, and concerned about our own physical, emotional and financial well-being.
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December 13, 2019
JCRC of Greater Washington
As we close out the week, we write to say Shabbat Shalom and reflect on this week filled with news important to the Jewish community: the tragic shooting in New Jersey, the President’s Executive Order about Anti-Semitism, and newly called elections in Israel.
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December 13, 2019
JCRC of Greater Washington
As we close out the week, we write to say Shabbat Shalom and reflect on this week filled with news important to the Jewish community: the tragic shooting in New Jersey, the President’s Executive Order about Anti-Semitism, and newly called elections in Israel.
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December 13, 2019
Shabbat Reflections, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019
JCRC of Greater Washington
As we close out the week, we write to say Shabbat Shalom and reflect on this week filled with news important to the Jewish community: the tragic shooting in New Jersey, the President’s Executive Order about Anti-Semitism, and newly called elections in Israel.
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October 23, 2019
JCRC of Greater Washington
Over the past few years we have seen an increase in hate crimes, incidents, and threats being committed at our local public and nonpublic schools. We must address this disturbing trend with more concrete and proactive measures. Teaching about the Holocaust and genocides, and the origins of these horrific events, is critical to fighting hate and bigotry.
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October 18, 2019
Joint Statement on Vandalism of Washington Hebrew Congregation DC building
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) were troubled to learn that the Washington Hebrew Congregation's D.C. building was vandalized with anti-Israel and hate-filled messages. Federation and the JCRC are in close contact with our partners at the Secure Community Network and have been informed that at the present time there is no immediate or direct threat to our community, as a result of this disturbing incident. The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. will also be conducting a full investigation. Please continue to follow all your routine security procedures and policies. If you see something, say something.
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October 10, 2019
Statement on Synagogue Attack in Halle, Germany
JCRC of Greater Washington
We were horrified yesterday to hear that on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews, a synagogue in Halle, Germany was attacked by a right-wing extremist. Despite being armed with multiple weapons and an explosive device, the assailant was thwarted by a locked security door. A potential massacre was avoided, and no injuries were reported among the synagogue worshipers.
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June 5, 2019
Joint Statement Regarding Banning of Jewish and Israeli Symbols at the DC Dyke March
JCRC of Greater Washington
As a coalition of LGBTQ, Jewish, and feminist organizations, representing dykes, queer women, and allies in Washington and across the country, we come together to strongly condemn the leadership of the DC Dyke March for their decision to ban the Jewish Star of David on a pride flag and Israeli iconography at their upcoming March, this Friday, June 7.
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April 27, 2019
Statement on Shabbat Shooting at Chabad of Poway, CA
JCRC of Greater Washington
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, and our Greater Washington Jewish community are angry and horrified by yet another senseless, violent, antisemitic attack on an American synagogue, this time at the Chabad in Poway, California. One person has been killed and three others, including a child, have been injured. We mourn the loss of life, pray for the quick recovery of the injured, and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Poway and San Diego Jewish communities.
