JCRC Statements

  • May 25, 2023

    Statement on Passage of Montgomery County’s Budget That Includes Additional Money for Security Grants

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    The JCRC of Greater Washington is grateful that the Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget approved today by the Montgomery County Council increases security funding for all faith-based nonprofits at risk for hate crimes by $100,000 to a total of $900.000. 

    Obtaining additional security dollars is a top priority for the JCRC given the dramatic increase in antisemitism in recent years. These funds are critical to safeguarding the Jewish community and other minority groups who regularly face threats of violence from extremist individuals and radical organizations.

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  • May 8, 2023

    Virginia Jewish Communities Statement Upon Governor Youngkin’s Signing of IHRA Legislation

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    Following the signing into law today of HB 1606, which adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, Virginia’s Jewish Communities issued the following joint statement:

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  • May 1, 2023

    Statement upon Senator Ben Cardin’s announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2024

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    "For more than 55 years, Ben Cardin has devoted his life to public service to improve the lives of all Marylanders, first in the State House and then on Capitol Hill. He has been an extraordinarily effective leader, legislator, and unapologetic consensus builder who embodies Jewish values.

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  • March 9, 2023

    Statement on Minister Smotrich's Visit

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s upcoming visit to the United States has galvanized opposition across the American political spectrum and the U.S. Jewish community. The hateful views long expressed by Minister Smotrich are abhorrent, are opposed by a majority of Israeli citizens, and run contrary to Jewish values. No public servant should ever condone or incite hatred or hate-motivated violence, and when they do, they will be fiercely condemned by a wide swath of American Jewry.

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  • February 28, 2023

    Statement regarding HB1606

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    The Virginia Jewish Communities thank the General Assembly for their bipartisan work in adopting – by overwhelming majority – the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism as a guide and tool for training, education, understanding and combatting antisemitism.

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  • February 22, 2023

    JCRC Responds to Dr. McKnight Remarks

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    The JCRC is gratified that Dr. McKnight’s remarks today about the cascade of recent antisemitic incidents within MCPS included specific measures being taken to ensure greater accountability for perpetrators of these incidents.  Students and their parents must know that there will be serious consequences for the propagation of ugly hatred that deeply, tangibly harms our Jewish students, families and employees and those of other marginalized groups.

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  • December 17, 2022

    Joint response to new antisemitic incidents

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    The JCRC of Greater Washington, ADL DC, AJC DC, and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington are angered and disgusted by the additional acts of antisemitic graffiti and vandalism in our region this weekend.  
     

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  • November 1, 2022

    The JCRC of Greater Washington Statement on Montgomery County Council Affirmation of IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    The JCRC of Greater Washington thanks the Montgomery County Council for passing a non- binding resolution that affirms using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA )  definition of antisemitism as an educational tool in combating antisemitism in all forms of its manifestations. This resolution is overwhelmingly supported by Montgomery County’s diverse Jewish community.
     

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  • July 14, 2022

    Faith Community Advisory Group Statement on recent hate incidents

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    The Faith Community Advisory Group is very disturbed to learn about the incidents impacting St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Parish, North Bethesda United Methodist Church, and Wildwood Baptist Church over the weekend. We strongly condemn these manifestations of intolerance and hate.

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  • June 28, 2022

    JCRC CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT DECISION IN SCHOOL PRAYER CASE 

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    Ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton will inevitably harm Jewish and other minority-faith students

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  • June 24, 2022

    JCRC CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT DECISION OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    JCRC CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT DECISION OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE

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  • June 2, 2022

    Statement on Antisemitic Vandalism in Montgomery County

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 2, 2022

    Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Council, and the Jewish Community Relations Council on Antisemitic Vandalism in Montgomery County

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  • May 24, 2022

    JCRC RECEIVES FUNDING TO COORDINATE JEWISH ENGAGEMENT IN WELCOMING AFGHAN NEWCOMERS TO THE WASHINGTON, DC REGION

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    Washington DC— May 16, 2022 – 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.

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  • January 27, 2022

    JCRC Statement on Fairfax County School Board landmark vote for equitable calendar

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    Tonight the Fairfax County School Board for the first time adopted an academic calendar that includes closures on three days coinciding with widely observed minority-faith holidays, Yom Kippur, Eid-al-Fitr and Diwali, as well as a professional day on the first day of Rosh Hashanah.  It also includes scheduled professional days on Veteran’s Day and Orthodox Good Friday.  This brings Fairfax County into alignment with five neighboring schools districts across Northern Virginia that had already adopted more equitable, inclusive calendars.  

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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.

    Federation and the JCRC remain committed to combating antisemitism and all forms of hatred everywhere in America.

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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. 

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  • December 21, 2021

    JEWISH COMMUNITY GROUPS MEET WITH DCPS LEADERSHIP AFTER REPORTS OF HOLOCAUST SIMULATION ACTIVITY AT WATKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL  

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    Joint JCRC, ADL and American Jewish Committee Statement on DCPS Holocaust Education Incident  

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  • October 26, 2021

    JCRC Says New FCPS “O” Calendar Does Not Remedy Accommodation Failures

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    Results of High Holiday survey highlight consequences of refusal to adopt equitable, inclusive calendar

    WASHINGTON DC- October 26, 2021 - 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

    Agency condemns divisive action ahead of Freedom to Vote Rally in D.C.

    WASHINGTON DC—October 20, 2021 – The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington this evening issued the following statement in response to Sunrise DC’s declining a speaking slot at the Freedom to Vote rally this weekend, due to the participation of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC):

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  • October 1, 2021

    Jewish Community Outraged by Antisemitic Attack on Elected Official

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    Jewish Community Outraged by Antisemitic Attack
    on Elected Official
    JCRC Demands Response by Gubernatorial Candidates

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  • September 9, 2021

    Jewish Community Applauds Gov. Northam for Religious Sensitivity

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    Jewish Community Applauds Gov. Northam
    for Religious Sensitivity

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  • July 30, 2021

    Jewish Community Dismayed by Trend of Offensive Remarks Minimizing the Holocaust

    JCRC of Greater Washington

    WASHINGTON DC—July 30, 2021 – 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. 

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