AJC Washington, D.C.

Building Bridges in the Nation’s Capital

AJC Washington connects our community with AJC’s global advocacy work to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel. Our access to diplomats, elected officials, and interfaith leaders advances AJC’s broader global priorities: combating antisemitism, promoting Israel’s place in the world, and countering the spread of radicalism and extremism.

Our impact extends well beyond the Washington, D.C., community, helping AJC achieve tangible results in the form of government policies, formidable alliances, and hard-hitting legislation that make our world safer and more secure.

We serve the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. Our close proximity to embassies, opinion leaders, and Congress gives our office unparalleled opportunities to advance AJC priorities.

Our young leadership program, AJC ACCESS D.C., empowers Jewish young professionals to advocate for the Jewish people through legislative advocacy on Capitol Hill, dinners with diplomats, and opportunities to pursue interfaith and intergroup relationships. Learn more about ACCESS D.C.

Upcoming Events

October 26, 2020

Who Leads the Way? Americans and Israelis Define Jewish Identity

Join us for a discussion about American and Israeli Jewish identity:

Monday, October 26, 2020

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

What does it mean to be Jewish? For Israeli and American Jews, the answer to that question can be very different. On the one hand, many are defining their Jewish identities on their own. On the other hand, being Jewish means interacting with an organized Jewish community and an Israeli Chief Rabbinate that attempts to decide who is a Jew and what Judaism is.

What role does Israel play in defining what being Jewish means around the world? How does the American Jewish community view Israeli definitions of Jewish identity? What happens when definitions of Judaism conflict?

Featuring:

Ruth Calderon | Former Member of Knesset and Founder of Elul

Rabbi Seth Farber | Founder and Director ITIM

Rabbi Shira Stutman | Senior Rabbi Sixth and I Historic Synagogue

Moderator: Dr. Laura Shaw Frank | AJC Director of Contemporary Jewish Life

Co-Sponsored By:

Adas Israel Congregation: Washington, D.C.
Beth-El Hebrew Congregation: Alexandria, VA
Beth Sholom Congregation: Potomac, MD
Beth Tfiloh Congregation: Pikesville, MD
B'nai Israel Congregation: Rockville, MD
B'nai Israel, The Downtown Synagogue: Baltimore, MD
Chizuk Amuno Congregation: Baltimore, MD
Congregation Beth-El of Montgomery County: Bethesda, MD
Congregation B'nai Tzedek: Potomac, MD
Congregation Har Shalom: Potomac, MD
Congregation Netivot Shalom: Baltimore, MD
Kehilat Pardes, The Rock Creek Synagogue: Rockville, MD
Kehilat Shalom: Gaithersburg, MD
Kesher Israel Congregation: Georgetown, D.C.
Kol Shalom: Rockville, MD
Ohef Shalom Temple: Norfolk, VA
Ohev Shalom: The National Synagogue: Washington, D.C.
Sixth and I Historic Synagogue: Washington, D.C.
Temple Micah: Washington, D.C.
Temple Rodef Shalom: Falls Church, VA

October 28, 2020

Diplomacy through a Jewish and Latino Lens

Join us for a collaboration of the Pozez JCC, Bender JCC of Greater Washington, and AJC Washington:

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET

International treaties, agreements, and alliances are the result of diplomatic negotiations that represent a country’s most important goals. But what really happens behind the curtain? And how have the Jewish people been involved in formal and informal diplomacy? Hear the inside perspective of how diplomacy works between the U.S. and Latin America through a Jewish lens.

Featuring:
Amb. Lisa Kubiske | Pozez JCC Board Member and former U.S. Ambassador to Honduras and Deputy Chief of Mission in Brazil

Dina Siegel Vann, Director | AJC Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs

Moderator: Jason Isaacson | AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer