Delegations from 220 federations and partner organizations of the Jewish Federations of North America showed support of Israel at “Stand Together: Unity, Strength, and Resilience,” on November 10 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC including a contingent of FJMC members representing Seaboard and other regions The rally was held as delegations flew into Washington for JFNA’s annual three-day General Assembly, which followed the rally.
Speakers and performers ranged from elected officials from both the Republican and Democratic parties including Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog, Israeli Maj. Gen. Dan Goldfuss, Israeli singer Idan Raichel and Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik, whose most recent single, “OK,” was written about the Oct. 7 attacks, along with to Israeli and American entertainers Many speakers joined by video.
Rep Torres said, “People often ask me, ‘Ritchie, you’re not Jewish, you’re Black, you’re a Latino. Why do you speak out so forcefully and frequently against antisemitism?’” Torres said. “And I simply reply: ‘The question is not, why have I chosen to speak out? The question is, why have others chosen to be silent amid the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust?’
FJMC Secretary, Bob Watts, and Chair of the FJMC Committee to Combat Antisemitism, Irv Varkonyi, reached out to FJMC attendees, of whom nearly 100 had previously registered. FJMC had a section reserved along the third base line as well as on the field seats where the stage and chairs were set up. “It was a wonderful event, despite the chilly and rainy weather, with inspiring performances by young Israelis and Americans, along with the comments of public officials,” said the two members of Congregation Olam Tikvah in Fairfax, VA.
The event was held on the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, which took place Nov 9-10, 1938.
By Irv Varkonyi, Chair, FJMC Committee to Combat Antisemitism
Photo by Irv Varkonyi. Pictured: (first row) Alex Romano, Bob Watts, Barbara Baker, Andy Baker, (second row) Dan and Debbie Moldover
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