The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington’s annual gala on Oct. 29 raised a record $2 million. These funds will allow the nonprofit to continue its efforts in combating antisemitism and advocating for the local Jewish community.
“We’re incredibly grateful because it’s donated from hundreds of people,” said Ron Halber, the CEO of JCRC. “It’s not just one person. It’s a diverse geographical donor base of different amounts, which makes it more satisfying, because it shows the dramatic number of people who are invested in JCRC.”
He believes community members donated to JCRC due to its tangible achievements — 3,500 high school students reached through JCRC’s Student to Student program, 8,000 students and teachers connected with a Holocaust survivor or second-generation survivor and $16.5 million in government money secured to fund community security and social services.
“Our accomplishments speak for themselves,” he said, though he noted JCRC also has a strong media presence.
The record fundraiser comes as the Jewish community faces unprecedented challenges, including antisemitism from both ends of the political spectrum and a decline in support for Israel, according to Halber.
“We stood up when others did not,” Halber said. “We have been strong and uncompromising in our support for Israel, and at the same time, we’ve been able to strike the right balance between American Jewish support for Israel and concern with the Israeli government.”
He added that this $2 million, which goes toward JCRC’s current fiscal budget, will allow the nonprofit to continue its work and even begin to expand in the coming year.
JCRC will soon undergo a strategic review, with its staff team brainstorming ideas and interviewing stakeholders over the next few months. This review will tentatively include two mission trips to Israel for elected officials and other influential leaders, an expansion of the education department and stronger “pro-Israel messaging” on social media.
Halber also said the organization will likely look to hire a director of engagement to expand JCRC’s social media presence, and deputy directors of relations in the DMV who will attend more local interfaith meetings, engage lay leaders and run institutional programs.
“We look to forge alliances with other groups that we may not have invested [in] before,” Halber added.
He emphasized the gravity of the situation — “The Jewish community needs us now” — while maintaining a sense of hope for the near future.
“I’m just filled with energy like never before,” Halber said.
