By Nancy B. Greer
President & CEO
This past Monday, we honored the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In his courageous fight for justice, Dr. King reminded us, “The time is always right to do what is right.” His simple eloquence brings to mind the importance of action in living out our Jewish values of tzedakah and tikkun olam.
Making our voices heard on the issues that we care about is one way to “do what is right” and make a concrete difference for our families and our Jewish community. We can make meaningful change through in-person advocacy with our elected representatives in the Washington State Legislature.
On Tuesday, February 25, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle is holding our annual Jewish Community Lobby Day in Olympia. It’s a critical component of the Federation’s ongoing work advocating for our community’s legislative priorities, in collaboration with our partner organizations. We are able to do this vital work thanks to the generosity of community members and legacy supporters like you.
I invite you to join us for an exciting day of civic involvement and advocacy for Jewish Puget Sound. Every year, dozens of community members take part in Lobby Day to learn about critical bills under consideration in the state Capitol and to meet with their elected representatives. It is a rewarding, empowering way to educate our lawmakers, through the lens of Jewish values, about the issues uppermost in our minds.
Our legislative agenda for this year’s session reflects the priorities that we heard from community members who completed our annual Policy Priorities Survey in the fall. Combating antisemitism, hate, and discrimination. Protecting and supporting immigrants and refugees. Working toward racial equity. Preventing gun violence. Strengthening civil liberties and minority rights. Deepening the social safety net for vulnerable people.
Combating antisemitism through our advocacy work is especially timely and important. Monday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. As the Holocaust recedes in time, ensuring that its horrors are never forgotten will become increasingly critical for stopping the spread of hate.
Whichever of the priority issues calls to you as a Jewish community member, Jewish Community Lobby Day is your opportunity to “do what is right,” as Dr. King said, and make an impact. Registration deadline for Lobby Day is February 23. Please join us and make your voice heard!
