Virginia's newly inaugurated governor addressed hundreds of Jewish community leaders this week, emphasizing her administration's commitment to fighting antisemitism, supporting Israel and celebrating with the Jewish community. 

Speaking to attendees at an annual advocacy gathering in the state capital, Governor Abigail Spanberger outlined her priorities for the Jewish community.

"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," Spanberger said during Tuesday's remarks at Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day.

The event, coordinated by Jewish Peninsula, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the JCRC of Greater Washington, assembled activists from throughout Virginia for legislative meetings in Richmond.

"It's important to me in particular that young people feel pride in who they are, pride in the things that make them who they are," said Spanberger. "To all of the parents in the room, I want your kids to feel safe and proud at school, whatever portions of their identity they choose to lead with. When they go off to college, I want them to feel proud putting a mezuzah on their door."

Drawing on her prior work in intelligence—Spanberger served as a CIA operative before winning her House seat in 2018—the governor explained her position on Israel.

"I remain a strong supporter of the relationship between the United States and Israel, and that support comes from a background in the intelligence community, where I understand that Israel is our strongest security partner in the region," she said.

Spanberger highlighted her congressional record, including backing emergency defense appropriations for Israel after the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and funding for Iron Dome anti-missile technology. She also mentioned supporting measures to increase humanitarian assistance for Gaza's civilian population.  

During her time in Washington, Spanberger noted, she backed federal initiatives addressing antisemitic hate crimes and providing security resources to at-risk nonprofit organizations.

"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."

Two other Democratic officials who assumed their positions in January - Attorney General Jay Jones and Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi - spoke at the gathering ahead of Spanberger's address. Both committed to antisemitism prevention efforts statewide.

In his first public comments on the matter, Jones announced his intention to maintain a statewide antisemitism task force established by his Republican predecessor, Jason Miyares, in 2023.

"The Attorney General's Antisemitism Task Force is an important tool to keep an open line of communication between my office and your communities," said Jones. "We look forward to working with you to build out the scope of that task force to ensure an ongoing dialogue, accountability and collaboration."

 

Jewish Peninsula and its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) do not make political endorsements. This article is for educational purposes only.  To learn more about the JCRC and how to get involved, visit jewishpeninsula.org/jcrc.