Join CRC in Richmond for an important Date (with the State)
Wednesday, February 6, 7 am–4 pm
Bus leaves from the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus
One of the greatest American privileges is being able to make your voice heard. The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Community Relations Council’s annual participation in Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day is one way to make an impact and difference.
In one day, it is possible to visit State Delegates’ and Senators’ offices to advocate about specific issues and why they matter to Virginia’s Jewish community, and to join with Jewish communities from across the Commonwealth of Virginia to hear from the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General over lunch, and then, to return to Tidewater having made an impact.
Previous Date with the State issues have included advocating for social service programs such as Jewish Family Service and Beth Sholom Village, for the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board, and for combating bias legislation, among others.
Date with the State offers the Jewish community an opportunity to be pro-active. These face-to-face meetings send strong signals to law makers about the engagement of the unified Jewish community. They also encourage participants to develop personal relationships with representatives, helping the community in the long-term.
Here’s what a few past participants have to say about why they attend Date with the State:
Rabbi Gavriel Rudin:
“I originally got involved in Date with the State two years ago because I saw it as an opportunity to help the community. It is a chance to get together with a wide variety of community leaders, community advocates, and people who truly care about the needs of the Jewish community. It is a chance to really make a difference.”
Brad Lerner:
“Date with the State is a useful way to connect with state legislators on issues of importance to the Tidewater Jewish community. In the wake of Pittsburgh, and an overall increase in anti-Semitic happenings globally, it is especially important this year to make our voices heard en masse. I hear many community members ask how can I get involved and Date with the State is a perfect foray into education and advocacy.”
Shikma Rubin:
“I think participating in Date with the State is valuable because it is an opportunity to let our representatives hear from us and understand the issues that are impacting our community. And when we have a big turnout it helps them understand that we have a strong voice.”
Early drop-off is available for parents of students at the Strelitz Early Childhood Center and the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater. Preregistration required with RSVP.
The cost is $36, which includes a kosher lunch and helps defray the cost of transportation.
To reserve a seat on the bus (required by January 30), register and pay online by visiting www.jewishva.org/CRCD ateWithTheState, or by check made out to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (mail to UJFT 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, ATT : CRC DWTS).
For more information, e-mail Melissa Eichelbaum, assistant director, UJFT Community Relations Council, at MEichelbaum@ujft.org or call 965-6107.
By Melissa Eichelbaum