--- title: The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Mobilizes Community Members for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg description: As part of a delegation led by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Jewish Community Relations Council, over 45 people traveled to Harrisburg to meet with elected officials and staffers to share top priorities and concerns of the Jewish community. image: https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/Featured%20Photo.jpg --- [![Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/JewishFederation_May2019/images/logo--color.svg)](https://jewishphilly.org/) - [Philly Stands With Israel](https://go.jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel) - - [Donate to Philly Stands with Israel Fund](https://donate.jewishphilly.org/page/66252/donate/1) - [Community Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/) - [Emergency Allocations](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-emergency-response-fund/emergency-allocations/) - 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[Jewish Community Foundation](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/Jewish%20Community%20Foundation) - [Life & Legacy Program](https://jewishphilly.org/life-and-legacy/) - - [Philanthropic Donor Advised Funds](https://jewishphilly.giftplans.org/index.php?cID=247) - [Tribute E-Cards](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/tribute-cards/) - [Giving Societies](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/giving-societies/) - [EITC](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/eitc/) - - Your gift matters. - Your donation to the Jewish Federation has a big impact, rippling through our community and around the world, providing resources to meet urgent needs today and build a bright future. - [Get Involved](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/) - - [Events Calendar](https://jewishphilly.org/events-calendar) - [Signature Events](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/signature-events/) - [Affinity Groups](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/affinity-groups/) - [Volunteer](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/volunteer/) - - [Neighborhood (Kehillot) Programming](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/neighborhood-programming/) - [Mission Trips](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/missions/) - [Jewish Professionals Organization (JPRO)](https://jewishphilly.org/jpro/) - [Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/) - - [Supporting Ukraine](https://go.jewishphilly.org/supporting-ukraine) - [COVID-19 Relief](https://go.jewishphilly.org/combatting-covid-19) - [Population Study](https://jewishphilly.org/communityportrait/) - [Mitzvah Food Program](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/mitzvah-food-program/) - [Teen Programs](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/teen-programs/) - [Jewish Camping](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/jewish-camping/) - - [Scholarships](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/scholarships/) - [Jewish Community Relations Council](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/public-affairs/) - [Israel Engagement](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/israel-engagement/) - [Holocaust Education](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/holocaust-programming/) - [Apply for Grants](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/apply-for-grants/) - [Security](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/security/) - [News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/news) [Donate](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) [Donate](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) [Newsletter](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/newsletter/) [Login](https://jewishphilly.org/login/) [Board Login](https://jewishphilly.org/board-login/) Search Search the site: Search the site: [Newsletter](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/newsletter/) [Login](https://jewishphilly.org/login/) [Board Login](https://jewishphilly.org/board-login/) Search ## Jewish Philly Blog ![The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Mobilizes Community Members for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/Featured%20Photo.jpg) ## June 26, 2026 # The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Mobilizes Community Members for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg More than 45 people from Greater Philadelphia traveled to Harrisburg on June 9 to meet with elected officials and staffers to share top priorities and concerns of the Jewish community. This was part of a delegation led by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Relations Council, in collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Philadelphia and American Jewish Committee (AJC) Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey.   Participants met with Governor Josh Shapiro, bipartisan members of the General Assembly, and representatives of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday’s office. Throughout the day, community members advocated for additional state investment in human services, increased security funding to protect religious institutions and places of worship, and the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.   “It’s critical that our legislators see how important these issues are to our community,” said JCRC incoming Chair Leora Zabusky. “We’d really like Pennsylvania to adopt the IHRA \[Working Definition of Antisemitism\]. Thirty-eight states and Washington, DC have already done so, and we believe Pennsylvania should as well. The definition provides clear guidance on where antisemitism crosses the line and gives a framework for identifying and responding to antisemitic behavior or violence when it occurs.”   Included among the members of the General Assembly, who met with the group, were: state Senator Sharif Street (3rd District) as well as state Reps. Mike Schlossberg (132nd District), Dan Frankel (23rd District), Ben Sanchez (153rd District), Tarik Khan (194th District), Kristin Marcell (178th District), and Ben Waxman (182nd District).   Additionally, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition (PJC) Hank Butler spoke about the Jewish community’s responsibility to be actively engaged in civic matters and the power each person has to make a difference.   State Rep. Waxman, whose wife is a third-generation Holocaust Survivor, discussed Pennsylvania House Bill 416, a recently enacted bill that he championed, that exempts recipients from having to pay state income tax on Holocaust restitution and court judgments for stolen property.   The day also underscored the importance of allyship when state Senator Street and state Rep. Khan, both Muslim, spoke about the necessity for all to speak up for the Jewish community against rising antisemitism and all forms of hate.   “I appreciate Advocacy Day so much,” continued Zabusky. “The Jewish Federation’s JCRC, ADL Philadelphia, and AJC have come together to show the strength and unity of our community. We are taking the time to show up, to advocate for what we care about, and to show appreciation for our elected officials’ support.”   ![(L to R) State Rep. Marcell and Executive Director of PJC Hank Butler discuss the IHRA definition of antisemitism.](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AD%20Photo%201%20Correct%20Size.png?width=688&height=380&name=AD%20Photo%201%20Correct%20Size.png) (L to R) State Rep. Marcell and Executive Director of PJC Hank Butler discuss the IHRA definition of antisemitism.   ![(L to R) State Reps. Waxman and Khan and state Senator Street discuss rising antisemitism and the work being done in Harrisburg to combat it.](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo%202-2.jpg?width=688&height=380&name=Photo%202-2.jpg) (L to R) State Reps. Waxman and Khan and state Senator Street discuss rising antisemitism and the work being done in Harrisburg to combat it.   ![Volunteer advocates meet with elected officials and their staffers.](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AD%20Photo%203%20Correct%20Size.png?width=688&height=380&name=AD%20Photo%203%20Correct%20Size.png) Volunteer advocates meet with elected officials and their staffers.   ![Advocacy Day participants and Jewish Federation staff hear from Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro.](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AD%20Photo%204%20Correct%20Size.png?width=688&height=380&name=AD%20Photo%204%20Correct%20Size.png) Advocacy Day participants and Jewish Federation staff hear from Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro.   \*\*\*   The Jewish Community Relations Council is the advocacy arm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, leading the organization’s Center to Combat Antisemitism. The group is composed of civic-minded individuals and local Jewish agency leaders, who engage in public affairs, Israel education and 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, visit [jewishphilly.org/jcrc](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/public-affairs/). 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