On May 21-23, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) joined Culture Changing Christians (CCC) for a mission to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the shared interests of their respective communities, meet with members of Congress, explore Black and Jewish history, and make their voices heard.
This trip was part of the New Golden Age partnership, an initiative from JCRC and CCC, to bring together Black and Jewish communities in Philadelphia to combat hate and strengthen the local community’s social safety net.
“We are trying to effect change on issues of shared concern to the Black and the Jewish communities,” said Jason Holztman, JCRC director. “It’s a moment of crisis for both our communities with the rise of racism, the rise of antisemitism. We’re going to stand up for one another, stand up for our communities and strive to make the world a better place.”
Pastor Carl Day of CCC echoed these sentiments.
“We are continuing to build beautiful relationships, continuing to advocate for change in each of our respective communities,” Day said. “We’re just going to keep building the momentum and doing everything we have to do to become allies, friends, and brothers and sisters to each other. I’m looking forward to what's ahead. This isn’t a moment, this is a movement.”
Highlights of the trip included visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, meeting with members of the Philadelphia Congressional Delegation, the Black-Jewish Caucus representatives, and Black Congressional Caucus representatives, and hearing from guest speaker CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) Amy Spitalnick.
The 13 participants met with Dr. Terrence Johnson, who is the Charles G. Adams Professor of African American Religious Studies at Harvard University.
Participants met with the Legislative Director Matthew Holcombe for Representative Dwight Evans.
Participants met with Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.
Participants met with Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey.
Participants met with Representative Jamie Raskin.
WATCH: Jason Holtzman and Pastor Carl Day talk about advocacy mission to DC
***
Learn more about the New Golden Age partnership by clicking here.