April 27, 2022
Jewish communities in the US mark the Holocaust Remembrance Day
The Jerusalem Post
In the Washington DC area, the local JCRC will host a virtual community-wide commemoration online at 1 PM on Sunday, May 1. Holocaust survivor Josie Traum will be the keynote speaker.
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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March 9, 2022
JCRC of Greater Washington
Decent, safe, accessible, and affordable housing is a basic human right. As embodied in the landmark United States Housing Act of 1937, it is the goal of the United States to provide “decent and affordable housing for all citizens.” The federal Fair Housing Act provides that housing is a civil right and that discrimination in housing related matters is a violation of federal law.
February 26, 2022
Local organization aims to help as Jewish Ukrainians concerned by Putin's rhetoric
ABC7 WJLA
February 25, 2022
Proposal to end solitary confinement fails
VPM
January 31, 2022
Funds Available for Security at Montgomery County Houses of Worship
NBC Washington
January 29, 2022
Fairfax County adopts school calendar with more religious holidays
The Washington Post
January 28, 2022
Forty-two Jewish institutions to benefit from security grants
Washington Jewish Week
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January 28, 2022
Fairfax County schools adopt equitable academic calendar with goal of more inclusion
ABC7 WJLA
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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.
January 27, 2022
County giving $700,000 to houses of worship to help with security
Bethesda Magazine
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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.
November 11, 2021
FCPS lags behind Arlington, Prince William, Loudoun in observing religious holidays
Fairfax County Times
October 29, 2021
Virginia’s education culture wars could decide its next governor
Jewish Insider
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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 26, 2021
MoCo earmarks $700,000 for security of nonprofits
Washington Jewish Week
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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 30, 2021
Maryland county to fund security for nonprofits at risk of hate crimes
The Jerusalem Post
September 9, 2021
Commonwealth of Virginia
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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.
