JCRC of Greater Washington

04/07/2026

As we celebrate the final few days of Passover, our celebration of resilience and freedom turns to honoring the extraordinary strength and survival that embodies our community-wide Yom Ha'Shoah Commemoration. We hope you will join us Sunday, April 12th at 1:30 PM in Fairfax, VA for this solemn event to remember the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust, and to pay tribute to the survivors and liberators in our community.

Your generous support subsidizes this annual program and so much more. The JCRC works all year to confront school-based antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate wherever it occurs. We do this through our robust Holocaust education programs, Student to Student peer presentations, legislative advocacy, interfaith and intergroup alliances, and an aggressive media strategy:

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04/05/2026

04/01/2026

Every year, Jews gather and read the Passover Haggadah and recount the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Every year, we read the same story, sing the same songs and recite the same blessings. We do this not only as a matter of tradition, but to remind us of our moral obligations as the Jewish people.

Freedom is complicated in today’s society. The JCRC of Greater Washington works with several organizations that advocate for and support our local immigrant and refugee communities — people who came to this country in search of freedom, safety and opportunity. Some were granted protective status and welcomed to this country; others spend years working through tedious and expensive immigration proceedings. Now, changes to that process and aggressive enforcement actions have left many feeling terrified and dehumanized. We are grateful for the work of allies at organizations like the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, who help people facing these scary situations. This Passover, the JCRC lifts up the ongoing obligation we have as a Jewish community to ensure freedom and safety for all.

Freedom takes many forms, and this year continues to be one where financial instability impacts many across the DMV, including those in the Jewish community. We are grateful for the ongoing work of Yad Yehuda of Greater Washington, providing families with the support they need for Passover and throughout the year. We invite you to support them with the mitzvah of Ma'ot Chitim ("wheat money") if you can.

The JCRC of Greater Washington wishes you a Chag Pesach Kasher v’Sameach, a Happy Passover surrounded by the love and warmth of family and friends.

03/31/2026

The Senate will soon vote on dangerous resolutions to block critical arms sales to Israel. These resolutions seek to cut off essential support to Israel even as the Jewish State fights against existential threats.

Click on the Action Alert below to urge your Senator to vote NO when they’re brought up for a vote.

Soon, the Senate will vote on dangerous resolutions to block critical arms sales to Israel. These resolutions seek to cut off...

03/29/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our town hall last week with Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor. It was important for Dr. Taylor to hear directly from students, parents and community members about specific examples of school-based antisemitism that were never shared with him.

As moderator and JCRC Chief Operating Officer Guila Franklin Siegel said, this evening was neither the start nor the end of the conversation. It's all part of our nuanced approach to building relationships with administrators that yields progress, which you can read more about in Moment Magazine -- https://momentmag.com/franklin-siegel-antisemitism-progress/

If you missed the town hall, watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqmpM-KMr4Y

03/27/2026

Hebrew Free Loan Association of Greater Washington is offering interest-free loans of up to $750, with no guarantor required, to help cover food, supplies, and other holiday needs for your Passover celebration.

The application deadline for HFL's Passover Micro-Loan Program is this Friday, March 27. If you or someone you know could use a little extra support this season, apply today, or simply pass this along to a friend or neighbor who might benefit.

To apply: https://www.hebrewfreeloandc.org/passover.html

03/26/2026

Join us on Sunday, April 12 at 1:30 PM in Fairfax for our annual Yom Ha'Shoah Commemoration that brings the DMV community together to honor the victims, survivors and family members living in the region. Holocaust survivor Irene Fogel Weiss, a Northern Virginia resident, will be our keynote speaker.

The exact location will be provided to registrants closer to the event date. The program will also be recorded and posted on our YouTube channel for those who are unable to attend.

Join us in Fairfax on Sunday, April 12 at 1:30 PM for our annual Yom Ha'Shoah Commemoration that brings the DMV community together to honor the victims, survivors and family members living in the region. Holocaust survivor Irene Fogel Weiss, a Northern Virginia resident, will be our keynote speaker....

03/24/2026

Sunflower Bakery Culinary’s offerings are now available at the National Holocaust Memorial Museum Café, bringing delicious kosher options to one of Washington, D.C.’s significant cultural institutions.

✡️ While the café features a wide variety of food, Sunflower Culinary is proud to be the only kosher option available, offering fresh, high-quality selections.

The café is open daily from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, making it easy to stop by and enjoy a meaningful and delicious experience during your visit.

Learn more about Sunflower’s workforce development programs at www.SunflowerBakery.org .

03/23/2026

Opinion: Jews Have Found a Home in DC. The DSA Is Trying to Take It Away.

We can't shy away from telling the truth about the Democratic Socialists of America. - JCRC of Greater Washington’s CEO Ronald Halber in Washington Jewish Week

The Metro DC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America's questionnaire for political candidates is a revolting display of religious discrimination.

03/23/2026

Opinion: Teaching ‘Night’ in a Charged Moment

In a time when information flows fast and outrage spreads even faster, “Night” forces students to read closely, think historically and wrestle with complexity. These are critical skills for young minds.- Aaron Bregman and Sara Winkelman in Washington Jewish Week

In classrooms across the country, conversations feel more charged and the air is tense. Global conflicts and domestic affairs are impacting even benign topics.

03/20/2026

The Virginia General Assembly passed a substitute version of a bill that, in its original form, opened the door to embedding antisemitic lessons in the history and social studies curricula. If you live in Virginia, take a few minutes to thank lawmakers for revamping the legislation to ensure true inclusion by requiring high quality, accurate, and complete instruction.