Wednesday, Feb. 4
Wednesday, Jan. 7, noon—Informational meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 6:30pm—Briefing session
For years, members of Jewish communities from across the Commonwealth have come together at the State Capitol in Richmond to collaborate on Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day, also known as “Date with the State.” This annual event has proven to be a powerful forum to effectively communicate with General Assembly members about issues of importance to the Jewish community.
In preparation for this year’s Date with the State, the Community Relations Council’s Legislative Action Committee will host a meeting on Jan. 7 at the Sandler Family Campus in Virginia Beach to discuss potential issues that the delegation will present to the General Assembly representatives. Past issues have included social service programs to care for Virginians, support for local agencies including Jewish Family Service and Beth Sholom Village, the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board, combating bias legislation and more. Then on Jan. 28, at the Sandler Family Campus, the Legislative Action Committee will host a briefing session for those attending the Date With the State to review the issues with presentations from experts to arm the citizen lobbyists with talking points for the meetings with legislators. All members of the delegation are strongly encouraged to attend both of these meetings.
On the day of the Date with the State, Feb. 4, the Tidewater delegation will travel together via bus to and from Richmond, leaving the Simon Family JCC at 8:45 am. At the State Capitol, lunch will take place with other Virginia Jewish communal lobbyists. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General have been invited, and they usually attend and address the issues important to this community. Following lunch, the delegations divide up to visit their respective regions’ State Senators and Delegates.
Cost is $36, which includes a kosher lunch and helps defray the cost of transportation. Checks made out to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (mail to UJFT 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, ATT: CRC DWTS) will reserve a space.
For more information, e-mail Robin Mancoll, director, Community Relations Council of UJFT at rmancoll@ujft.org or call 965-6120. To RSVP (required) by Jan. 28, visit www.JewishVa.org/CRCDateWiththeState.