May 12, 2025
JCRC Statement on Release of Edan Alexander
JCRC of Greater Washington
"Nearly 600 days since Edan Alexander was kidnapped and subsequently held hostage by Hamas terrorists in deplorable conditions, we share in his family’s joy and relief that he has been returned safely. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Trump Administration officials who worked hard to secure Edan’s release and pray for his physical and emotional recovery."
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April 30, 2025
JCRC Statement on Removal of Appointees to US Holocaust Memorial Board of Trustees
JCRC of Greater Washington
"The sudden dismissal of trustees well before their terms expired — without any apparent cause and just days after Jewish people around the world commemorated Yom Hashoah — is an unwarranted intrusion into the museum’s operations, which by design and in practice are strictly nonpartisan."
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April 24, 2025
JCRC Statement on Misguided BDS Resolution at Georgetown University
JCRC of Greater Washington
"We strongly urge Georgetown’s campus community to see this resolution for what it really is—antisemitism masquerading as social justice— and for students to demand real leadership from a government that right now is failing to act in their best interests."
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April 21, 2025
JCRC Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis
JCRC of Greater Washington
"The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington joins Catholics in our local community and worldwide in mourning the loss of His Holiness, Pope Francis, a champion of interfaith dialogue who was committed to expanding Catholic-Jewish relations."
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March 12, 2025
JCRC Statement on Proposed Cuts to the District of Columbia's Budget by the US Senate
JCRC of Greater Washington
"The proposed spending bill currently being considered by the U.S. Senate would cut approximately $1.1 billion from the District of Columbia’s budget, which is funded by local taxes. This is completely inappropriate and will be devastating for the District. Money paid by DC taxpayers, who have long advocated for statehood, should be used at their discretion."
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February 20, 2025
JCRC Statement on the Murders of the Bibas Family and Oded Lifshitz
JCRC of Greater Washington
Our hearts are shattered today. No words can fully convey the depth of our grief and anger over the senseless murders of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, their mother Shiri Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz
February 17, 2025
Opinion: How lawmakers can help address Maryland’s antisemitism problem
Bethesda Today
These bills aren’t just about Jewish communities in Montgomery County and Maryland — they’re about the kind of state and county we strive to be. This legislative session, Maryland lawmakers have an opportunity — and obligation — to take action that protects students, families, schools and institutions. We are proud to help lead that worthy fight.
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January 18, 2025
JCRC Statement on Postponement of Leading Israeli Doctor's Speech at UMD School of Medicine
JCRC of Greater Washington
The decision to temporarily postpone Dr. Elon Glassberg’s address at the University of Maryland School of Medicine was unfortunately necessary in light of security threats that no hospital should be forced to deal with, but which were sparked by the unjustified opposition to his appearance.
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January 15, 2025
JCRC Statement on Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas
JCRC of Greater Washington
The ceasefire agreement announced today offers real possibilities and hope for the eventual return of all remaining hostages and an end to hostilities
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January 10, 2025
Joint JCRC Statement with Mason Hillel on Recent Events Involving George Mason University
JCRC of Greater Washington
Recent antisemitic threats uncovered by security personnel at George Mason University illustrate how difficult and scary life still is for many Jewish students at colleges and universities across the country. Fortunately, the steps taken by GMU administrators following these developments exemplify strong leadership and demonstrate much-needed commitment to and compassion for Jewish members of their community.
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December 10, 2024
JCRC of Greater Washington
The latest racist incident at Wootton High School — the n-word being written on a Black student’s desk — follows a series of egregious racist and antisemitic incidents at the school in recent years.
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November 22, 2024
JCRC of Greater Washington
We condemn the ICC for issuing an antisemitic ruling that draws a moral equivalence between Hamas’s slaughter of 1,200 innocent Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, and Israel engaging in its basic right to self-defense against a terrorist adversary
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November 11, 2024
JCRC Statement on Vandalism at Char Bar on Kristallnacht Anniversary
JCRC of Greater Washington
We are disgusted and heartbroken to hear about the vandalism at Char Bar that appears to be the latest display of targeted violence against a Jewish-owned business.
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October 28, 2024
JCRC Statement on Cox Farms' Refusal to Meet with Jewish Community About Divisive and Harmful Signs
JCRC of Greater Washington
After posting divisive and ill-informed signs about the Israel-Hamas war, the owners of a popular farm in Centreville have rejected JCRC’s request for a conversation aimed at building understanding within and between communities.
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October 1, 2024
JCRC Statement on Reports of Imminent Iranian Ballistic Missile Attack on Israel
JCRC of Greater Washington
A ballistic missile attack from Iran — the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism for more than 40 years — represents a grave threat to the state of Israel and its people and cannot be tolerated."
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September 30, 2024
JCRC Statement on Senator Tim Kaine's opposition to certain weapons transfers to Israel
JCRC of Greater Washington
"Sen. Kaine has been an ally of Israel and the Jewish community in Virginia. We are therefore disappointed that he would imperil Israel’s security by limiting its military capabilities when it faces unprovoked attacks on multiple fronts."
August 31, 2024
College plans to deal with protests face tests as students return
The Hill
“I know nationally the Jewish community has been reaching out to university presidents and officials, both at the national level and the state and local level, because everybody has been concerned … if what happened in the spring was going to happen this fall semester,” Ron Halber, the chief executive officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
August 29, 2024
Alsobrooks works to shore up support among Jewish voters in Maryland
Jewish Insider
JCRC of Greater Washington CEO Ron Halber said he doesn’t see the Jewish vote as being decisive in the race unless accompanied by a “significant shift” among moderate Democrats broadly.
August 28, 2024
Concerns About Antisemitism in Montgomery County as the New School Year Begins
Washington Jewish Week
As the new school year begins, some Montgomery County Jewish students and their parents are increasingly concerned that antisemitic acts will rise up again, perhaps even more frequently.
August 24, 2024
Local Views: MCPS still has an antisemitism problem
Moco360 Media
The start of a new school year is typically marked by hope, optimism and excitement.
For many Jewish parents, educators and children in Montgomery County, the feelings as school begins Monday are quite different.
August 20, 2024
MoCo Most Influential 2024, Part Eight
Montgomery Perspective
16 (tie). Jewish Community Relations Council Executive Director Ron Halber (7 votes)
Has everyone’s cell phones and isn’t afraid to use them.
August 20, 2024
Antisemitic graffiti found at 4 more Montgomery County schools
NBC Washington
"It affects the entire fabric of the community, said Guila Franklin Siegel, chief operating officer of the JCRC of Greater Washington. "When such hatred is so boldly splattered across our community, it diminishes everyone."
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August 20, 2024
Bethesda synagogue hit for second time amid spate of hate-bias vandalism
Moco360 Media
Montgomery County police are investigating multiple “bias-related vandalism” incidents at a Jewish synagogue and a coffee shop in Bethesda as well as several county public schools over the past nine days.
August 20, 2024
Antisemitic graffiti and other vandalism found at more Montgomery Co. schools
WTOP News
“It’s disappointing that teachers and administrators returned to school today, only to face this kind of hateful graffiti on their building walls,” said Guila Franklin Siegel, chief operating officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
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August 19, 2024
JCRC Statement on Hateful Graffiti Found at Four Montgomery County Schools
JCRC of Greater Washington
"For the second consecutive week, MCPS school buildings have been vandalized by individuals with vitriolic, ill-informed comments directed towards the state of Israel, as well as other antisemitic images."
