In a powerful demonstration of civic engagement, nearly 300 Jewish advocates from across Virginia descended on the state capital for Jewish Advocacy Day, shattering previous attendance records and marking a watershed moment for Jewish community advocacy in the Commonwealth.
The unprecedented turnout brought together voices from every corner of Virginia. A strong delegation from Jewish Peninsula travelled together in the early morning hours, and upon arriving in Richmond, divided into groups to meet directly with state legislators to advance critical protections for religious freedom, community safety and educational integrity.
At the heart of the advocacy effort was communicating the concerns facing the Jewish community and rallying behind a language-only budget amendment designed to streamline access to the Combatting Hate Crimes Grant Program. As currently written, the grant requires a municipality to partner with the nonprofit and assume the substantial burden of grant writing, reporting and vendor coordination. While the Newport News Police Department has been an enthusiastic partner with the Jewish community for several years on this grant, other localities—including Williamsburg and York County—have been understandably less willing to take on these responsibilities.
The amendment, sponsored by Peninsula's own Senator Mamie Locke in consultation with Jewish Peninsula, represents a collaborative effort to ensure at-risk populations can effectively utilize existing protective resources.
Advocates also supported HB131, legislation that would require universities to provide accomodations for students based off religious practice, such as an exam that is scheduled on Yom Kippur. Kiera Schneiderman powerfully articulated the current inequity: "While faculty must accommodate ADA needs, there is no comparable requirement for religious observance. Professors retain full discretion, with no consequences if they deny religious requests."
She emphasized the bill's balanced approach: "HB131 does not require schools to observe every religious holiday. It simply ensures that when conflicts occur, students are given a reasonable alternative, so they are not penalized for practicing their faith."
The community also voiced unified opposition to HB614, legislation that claims to include "historically marginalized communities" in history and social studies standards but conspicuously omits Jewish experiences entirely. Advocates highlighted multiple flaws: the absence of safeguards against bias, provisions enabling perpetual curriculum revision subject to political trends and disturbing parallels to California's ethnic studies debacle.
The California experience served as a stark warning - similar legislation there embedded antisemitic narratives into state curriculum, spawning years of advocacy, public outcry and litigation before the most egregious content was finally removed.
The morning's legislative meetings culminated in an extraordinary session in an overflowing room with Virginia's newly inaugurated administration: Governor Spanberger, Lt. Governor Hashmi, and Attorney General Jay Jones.
“As governor, I will continue to stand up to antisemitism, to work to protect our Jewish neighbors, friends and family, and I will show up for the Jewish community in times of commemoration, remembrance and importantly, celebration,” Governor Spanberger shared.
"I will make sure that across my administration — in particular, my secretary of public safety and homeland security — is well positioned to coordinate with state and federal partners, and that you know that through my administration, you have a partner in ensuring that the communities that you represent, serve or are a part of feel safe,” she said. “I will make sure that the Office of the Governor is an active partner in combating antisemitism.”
Addressing the room, Jewish Peninsula President Steve Marks emphasized that "these conversations matter, because relationships matter and because our collective voice matters. Like any strong and vibrant community, we don't always agree on everything. But when we come together around shared commitments, our voices carry further and our message becomes stronger. Today, those voices were clearly heard."
As advocates departed the Capitol and returned to communities across Virgina, they carried with them a renewed commitment to the work ahead. The real work continues in communities across Virginia in sustained engagement with elected officials, in educating neighbors about the issues at stake and in building the coalitions necessary to turn priorities into law.
When Jewish communities stand together, unified in purpose while respecting diversity of thought, they transform from individual voices into an unstoppable force for justice, equality and the protection of fundamental rights for all Virginians.