| CELEBRATING JEWISH DISABILITY AWARENESS, ACCEPTANCE & INCLUSION MONTH (JDAIM)
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Photo courtesy of Federation partner Bender JCC of Greater Washington
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| | Our celebration of JDAIM continues throughout February! Together, we can foster a more inclusive Jewish community that recognizes the value, dignity, and capabilities of each individual.
- Sign up for events and volunteer opportunities.
- Take action this Jewish Disability Advocacy Day.
- Explore resources to make your organization more inclusive.
- Embrace the diversity of our shared human experience during the ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia.
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| | | Capital Camps: Living the Values of Inclusion
From its inception, Capital Camps has elevated the concept of ‘camp for all’—where children with special needs can participate in all activities and be fully mainstreamed in the general population. We spoke with Capital Camps Director, Lisa Handelman, and Inclusion Coordinator, Hannah Stroller, about the camp’s inclusion programs, what the programs mean to families, and what lies ahead.
Read more
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| | | ReelAbilities Film Festival: Opening Night
Pozez JCCNV
Be inspired by 25 Prospect Street, a documentary featuring the sparkle and struggles of the Prospector Theater—a non-profit movie theater in Connecticut with a mission of meaningful employment for people with disabilities. This film is part of the ReelAbilities Film Festival, the largest festival in the US dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities.
Register today
» Thursday, February 3rd | 7:30 PM
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| DID YOU KNOW?
Federation partner JSSA’s Specialized Employment Services help those with disabilities find and keep fulfilling jobs. In FY2020, JSSA helped 70 people with disabilities join the workforce.
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COMMUNITY NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
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| | | Federation in the News
Last Friday was a challenging day for our community, when swastikas were found graffitied at DC’s Union Station. As Federation stated at the time, this antisemitic and hateful symbol has no place in our society, and to find it in our city the week of International Holocaust Remembrance Day was particularly offensive. We’re thankful for the swift handling of the situation by our security team, Washington Metropolitan Police Department, and Amtrak Police, and for the continuing coverage of this situation in the local, national, and Israeli media, including in The Washington Post, WTOP, Jewish Insider, and The Jerusalem Post. Watch Federation CEO Gil Preuss discuss the recent rise in antisemitism on Fox5.
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| | | Honor the Memory of Avi West, z”l, Our Community’s Beloved Master Teacher
Avi West, z”l, was a true blessing to his friends and family, to Federation, and to our entire Jewish community. Federation has partnered with the West family to create the Avi West Endowment, a fund that honors the memory of our community’s beloved master teacher and exemplifies his educational values. The fund will grant up to $5,000 to one exemplary local Jewish educator as the recipient of the annual “Avi West Jewish Educator Award.”
Make a gift in Avi's memory. All gifts will be matched 2:1, thanks to a group of generous community members.
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| | | Security Webinar Recording
Federation and Secure Community Network (SCN)
Our thanks to SCN National Director & CEO, Michael Masters; Federation & SCN’s Regional Security Advisor, Robert Graves; and Temple Rodef Shalom’s Rabbi Amy Schwartzman for sharing their expertise and outlook on security in our Jewish community. We encourage you to share the recording of this important conversation with your friends and family.
Watch the recording and learn more about security in our region
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| Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day
Jewish Community Relations Council, Federation, Pozez JCCNV, AJC, Virginia Jewish Communities, and Hadassah
Make your voice heard! Join Federation partner JCRC and Virginia's Jewish communities to speak out on matters important to the Jewish community in Northern Virginia. Featuring Governor Glenn Youngkin (to be confirmed), Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, and Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Register today
» Wednesday, February 2nd | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
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| Jonathan Greenblatt In Conversation with Jodi Rudoren
Sixth & I
Join Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), for a discussion about his book, It Could Happen Here: Why America Is Tipping from Hate to the Unthinkable―And How We Can Stop It. In the book, Greenblatt sounds the alarm on antisemitism and that violence on an even larger, more catastrophic scale could be just around the corner if we don’t act now.
Register today
» Monday, February 7th | 7:00 PM
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| Towards a New Zionist Discourse
Federation and the Shalom Hartman Institute
In this time of complexity and divergent points of view, can we still talk about Israel in a meaningful, respectful, and productive way? Join us for a thoughtful conversation between Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, President of Shalom Hartman Institute, and Gil Preuss, CEO of The Jewish Federation.
Register for the webinar
» Wednesday, February 9th | 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
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VOLUNTEER & BE A FORCE FOR GOOD!
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| Find your perfect volunteer opportunity below, or visit Federation’s Jconnections for more ways to be a force for good in our community.
• KindSoup for the Soul
Join Federation partner EDCJCC Monday, February 7th from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM for this at-home activity to support recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers. Cook alongside a chef to prepare a culturally appropriate meal for newly arrived families in the Greater Washington area.
• Cleaning Supply Drive
In the month of February, Washington Hebrew Congregation is partnering with Furnish Hope DC to collect cleaning items for low-income families in Washington, DC.
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| | | Need support? Call 703-J-CARING: The Jewish Community Support Line
Call (703) J-CARING (703-522-7464) to connect with a professional ready to assist you. Serving residents of DC, MD, and Northern VA, support is available Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. All calls are confidential. Federation, JSSA, and our network of human service organizations are here for you.
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