Firstly, practicing grounded leadership. We believe steadfastly in the vibrancy and longevity of the Jewish people, knowing antisemitism has been around long before our time and will be around long after. We prioritize meaningful actions that will have a long-term impact on the well-being of our local Jewish community. This summer, your Federation’s JCRC team has focused on:

• Crisis Management – Supporting the Washington State Jewish Historical Society (WSJHS) through ongoing challenges with the Confronting Hate Together Exhibit. When the other partners pulled out, we worked with the WSJHS to ensure our community would not be silenced. A new event is scheduled for Sep 19; read our statement here. 
• Antisemitism Resource Development – Curating the most effective resources from across the country on antisemitism for the 313 public school districts, tribal schools, and charter school networks in Washington State to help them more effectively address antisemitism;
• Building Allyship – Meeting with labor unions and other community groups to build stronger connections and a better understanding of Jewish identity and experience so they can be better allies against antisemitism;
• Antisemitism Training – Running a hands-on workshop to help 40 young Jewish leaders of the Federation’s Ben-Gurion Society be more empowered to address antisemitism in their communities;  
• Successful Advocacy Preparation – Laying the groundwork for the legislative session by researching potential legislation, meeting with state agencies and communal partners, and deepening relationships with elected officials. 

Secondly, prioritizing self-care.  We are commanded in Pirkei Avot, “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” Yet living and breathing antisemitism all day, every day is depleting. And so, we rest. We exercise. We spend time with friends and family. We engage in joyful Judaism. And we have experiences that revive our belief in the goodness of humanity. My husband and I were fortunate to travel to Alaska recently for our 10th wedding anniversary (without kids!). On this trip, we met people from every walk of life—a recently retired electrician from Vermont, a young ecologist who flies to work by helicopter in the Alaskan Arctic, and a property manager of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the Western U.S, to name a few. I talked with each of these people at length, and afterward, left the conversations elevated by what we had in common and heartened by the genuine human connection. 

Thirdly, igniting partnerships and fostering collaboration, knowing if the JCRC doesn’t lead on this, no other entity will. We ask two questions: What can the JCRC do to provide unique value? and Where can we raise and amplify the work of partners? Convening is a critical mode of JCRC’s work. In particular, bringing together monthly roundtables for Jewish communal professionals focused on antisemitism to troubleshoot, strategize, and support one another. And we elevate Jewish communal partners. I’m excited and proud of the work our partners organizations are doing locally. Though each organization’s mission, goals, and tactics differ, we respect and care for one another, knowing it takes a village, and we are stronger together.  

I am proud of the preparation the Federation’s JCRC team and our partners have done over these last couple of months, and am confident that our collaboration and communication will allow us to more effectively tackle whatever lies ahead.

Chazak, chazak v’nitchazek! Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened!

Maxima Patashnik
Director of JCRC and Government Affairs
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle