Kirk Levy
Over the past three months, most of us in the Jewish community have been affected by events in Israel, rallies in the streets both here and abroad, and antisemitism on college campuses.
We’ve questioned what can be done to show support for Israel and ensure that the United States remains a safe refuge from the overt discrimination that has been afflicted upon Jews throughout history.
An opportunity to do all of this exists with Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day, also known as Date with the State.
A delegation from Tidewater will head to the State Capitol to meet with groups from the Peninsula, Richmond, and Northern Virginia. Once there, partcipants will break into smaller groups and then meet with members of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates to discuss issues of importance to local Jewish communities.
Some of the issues on the table for this year’s Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day include combatting antisemitism, maintaining security funding for Jewish institutions, and making sure the Virginia Israel Advisory Board continues to help Israeli companies build and grow their U.S. operations.
Last year at Date with the State, the Jewish communities in Virginia were especially fortunate to hear from the trifecta of Governor Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, and Attorney General Jason Miyares. All of them are expected to again take time out of their busy schedules to address the delegations over a statewide Jewish community lunch.
To work with the Jewish Community Relations Council to prepare for the community’s annual visit to the General Assembly for Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day and/or to attend, visit JewishVA.org/DWTS or contact Julie Kievit at JKievit@ujft.org or 757-965-6110.
$54 helps defray the cost of lunch and transportation. Registration is required by January 29.
Kirk Levy is Legislative Action Committee chair for the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
