March 19, 2025
On Sunday, February 9, American Jewish Committee (AJC) Washington, D.C. partnered with the Anti-Defamation League Washington, D.C. and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington to host a D.C.-area parent summit at Congregation Har Shalom. The summit taught participants vital advocacy skills and strategies to navigate and combat antisemitism in kindergarten through 12th grade schools. The event was sponsored by a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
More than 125 engaged parents, grandparents, elected officials, and community members heard from experts including Dr. Laura Shaw Frank, AJC’s Director, Center for Education Advocacy, Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent, Fairfax County Public Schools, Dr. Robby Dodd, Director, Office of School Support and Improvement, Montgomery County Public Schools, Marlo Thomas, Assistant Head of School, Georgetown Day School, and more who shared best practices for preventing and addressing antisemitism in their educational institutions.
“Parents are really in the center of a lot of the conversations that we’re having about education and about continuity and how our kids are doing in our schools,” said Alan Ronkin, the regional director of AJC Washington, D.C. “I think it’s really important to help them navigate this challenging environment that a lot of their children are unfortunately experiencing.”
Participants also heard from high school students who discussed their success in bringing the Jewish experience into schools and learned proactive strategies that worked from parents who have already employed them.
Summit attendees left the event saying, “I have many more strategies and ideas of how to help my child feel more comfortable being Jewish and how to talk with them about antisemitism.” Parents walked away with a greater understanding of the power of the relationships between community organizations and school districts and with the knowledge that they are not alone in this fight.
AJC understands that we must take a bold, multi-tiered approach to education advocacy. Through the establishment of our Center for Education Advocacy last year, AJC continues to build and expand on our existing work in the student, academic, and parent empowerment spaces. AJC provides resources, tools, and training that expand understanding of Jews and antisemitism, and address how the school community can best support Jewish students and families while enhancing the cohesiveness and empathy of school communities.
Please contact Sharon Fine, AJC Washington D.C. Education Outreach Fellow at [email protected] if you would like to schedule a training or help connect her with your local school.
