The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) brought a group of 31 volunteers to Harrisburg on June 24 to meet directly with elected officials and staffers and to share some top priorities and concerns of the Jewish community. 

Volunteers had the opportunity to hear directly from members of the General Assembly, advocate for human service needs and security grant funding to protect Jewish institutions, and speak on the unprecedented increase in Jewish hate  – including the importance of adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition on antisemitism.

“Whenever I participate in a Jewish advocacy day — whether in Harrisburg or Washington, D.C. — I am proud to see the extent to which our elected representatives trust and hold in esteem the JCRC professionals who advocate regularly on behalf of our community,” said volunteer advocate Arlene Fickler. “It is an honor and an important responsibility to speak on behalf of our community. I am grateful to the Jewish Federation and its JCRC for giving me and others this opportunity.”

In the morning, volunteers heard from State Representatives Dan Frankel and Michael Schlossberg, Pennsylvania Budget Director Uri Monson, Chief Deputy Attorney General Corbett Anderson, Director of Government Affairs of the University of Pennsylvania Michael Smith and Executive Director of Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition Hank Butler, among others.

“Empowering volunteers to be strong, informed advocates is at the core of what we do in the JCRC,” said Jewish Federation’s JCRC Government Affairs Director Robin Schatz. “When we bring community members to Harrisburg, we’re not just sharing our priorities, we’re showing our legislators the real people behind the issues. Whether it’s combating antisemitism or showing support for vulnerable populations, these are urgent needs that need to be heard firsthand.”

Pennsylvania State Senator Ben Waxman, whose wife is a third generation Holocaust Survivor, and State Senator Judy Schwank also discussed the rise of antisemitism and the legislation they are working on passing in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

“It’s important to show up,” said JCRC Chair Jonathan Goldman. “When real people show up in person, it makes a greater impression on our legislators. They have the opportunity to see the personal toll that hate speech takes on us, the pain on our faces, and the fear we are experiencing from antisemitism and acts of violence in our communities because we don’t feel safe. Harrisburg Advocacy Day reminds me that our voices matter, especially when we show up together.”

State Senators Ben Waxman and Judy Schwank talk to volunteer advocates in Harrisburg, PA.

State Representatives Martina White, Jesse Topper and Kristen Marcell discussed the work taking place to keep Jewish students safe in public school and on college campuses. 

Volunteer advocates met with State Senators and their staffers.

JCRC volunteers and staff pose for a photo with State Representative MaryLouise Isaacson.

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The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is composed of civic-minded individuals and local Jewish agencies involved in advocacy and public affairs, who engage in issues that are important to the Jewish community.

Harrisburg Advocacy Day is a part of the Jewish Community Relations Council's work to host programs and advocate within government on issues to combat antisemitism, focus on domestic affairs, promote Holocaust education and support Israel and global Jewry. To learn more, click here.