JCRC Leaders Meet with 11 Congressional Offices in D.C. to Address Antisemitism and Community Needs
Rabbi Jason Levine and Perri Doll with U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (WA).
Written by Rabbi Jason Levine, June 17, 2025
Earlier this month, three members of the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) team — incoming JCRC Chair Hannah Lidman, Associate Perri Doll, and Rabbi Jason Levine, the JCRC’s Associate Director — traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) Summit on Coalition and Bridge-Building.
Over two days of policy briefings and strategic conversations, the Seattle delegation met with nearly a dozen Congressional offices representing Washington State, advocating for Jewish safety, access to vital social services, and greater understanding of the complex realities facing the Jewish community today.
Rabbi Jason Levine shares his reflections on the experience below.
Five hours of flight time and almost 3,000 miles separate Seattle and the so-called “other Washington,” where the gleaming marble centers of American democracy stand. We navigated the maze-like hallways and tunnels of the legislative office building to make our many appointments with both elected officials and their staff. Thankfully, the sharp green flag of Washington State made each office easy to spot. In the span of eight hours, incoming JCRC Chair Hannah Lidman, JCRC Associate Perri Doll, and I lobbied 11 out of 12 offices of the Washington Congressional delegation, Democrat and Republican, House and Senate. Our mission was to help lawmakers better understand what’s happening back home.
We set forth our specific legislative priorities for the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) Hill Day. First, educating about the diversity of the Jewish people as a multi-ethnic, multi-racial group, diverse in our politics, beliefs, rituals, practices, and feelings about the actions of the Israeli government. Second, the impact of ever-increasing antisemitism on our communities—especially children. Third, federal funding for social services that our Jewish community relies on, including food, medical care, and elder support. And finally, robust funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to keep our community spaces safe, especially in the wake of recent antisemitic attacks.
Hannah Lidman and Rabbi Jason Levine pictured with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07).
Beyond the specific policy points, our larger goal was clear: to emphasize to our federal leaders the lived experiences and real challenges facing the Jewish communities of Seattle and Washington State. We shared stories of Jewish children afraid to openly express their Jewish identity in school. We described Jewish organizations and synagogues urgently seeking funding to ensure that their buildings are safe and secure in light of the rising threats of the past few weeks. We informed elected officials of the staggering increase in incidents of antisemitism and the emotional toll it has on their constituents. We spoke of Jews who were worried about how antisemitism has become a partisan football, using our pain and fear as a smokescreen to attack democratic norms. We asked for their support, to call out antisemitism, to stand for our democratic values, to help us form coalitions and partnerships with other groups, and to be active in this work.
The results of our advocacy were clear and uplifting. Every office heard our concerns, the need to build coalitions of allies, and the challenges facing our work and community. They were clear in their unwavering support for safety for the Jewish community and offered their support. We are in regular communication with their teams. And we look forward to the next stage of our efforts as Federation President & CEO Solly Kane travels to Washington, D.C. in a few weeks with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) to advocate for the safety of the Jewish community.
Rabbi Jason Levine, Hannah Lidman, and Perri Doll pictured with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01).
This Hill Day, the JCPA Summit, and Solly’s upcoming congressional meetings in D.C. Congress are all components of the Federation and its JCRC’s broader strategy to address antisemitism. Through coalitions, advocacy at every level of government, education, wider engagement, and partnerships with organizations and individuals, we are working toward greater safety and wellbeing for the Jewish community.
In the months ahead, there will be many debates, votes, and policies passed on the federal level that will impact our local community. We will be more engaged in this and other arenas. The JCRC’s Public Advocacy Committee is already in action preparing for next year’s Washington State Legislative Session and building out our local advocacy.
Your voice in each of these efforts is crucial. Sign up for JCRC action alerts to strengthen our shared advocacy on behalf of our community. Encourage your neighbors, friends, and members of your Jewish community to do so as well. Together, our voices can make a difference.
Rabbi Jason Levine
Jewish Community Relations Council Associate Director
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
