The Unbreakable Thread of Relationship

A Message from the Regional Director, Alan Ronkin: 
Resilience, Advocacy and the strength of Connection

Dear Friends of AJC,

As we turn the calendar to 2026, AJC Washington, D.C. is reflecting on gratitude and strength. This year, we confronted serious and significant challenges, especially the terror attack that took place outside of our Young Diplomats Reception in May and the tragic murders on Bondi Beach in Sydney just one week ago, and we also celebrated powerful moments of liberation. Every safe return of an Israeli hostage gave us strength and renewed our dedication to ensure no one in our community stands alone. We remain unwavering in our efforts until the body of Ran Givili, z”l, is returned. This commitment—this urgent imperative—is the unbreakable thread of relationship that defines our work.

Our mission in the capital remains singular: to engage our local AJC leaders in diplomacy and advocacy at the highest levels, shaping a Jewish future where our children and grandchildren thrive. AJC Washington D.C.'s proximity to the White House, the U.S. Congress, and the diplomatic corps ensures that we have unparalleled access to global decision-makers.

Friends, our achievements prove that our commitment to alliances, diplomacy, and strong relationships generate tangible results. Together, we weave the unbreakable thread of relationship that holds our community strong. Thank you for being part of that thread; we invite you to continue weaving it as we prepare for a dynamic year ahead.

I. Weaving the Fabric of Global Advocacy: Diplomacy

In the complex international landscape, our proximity to global leaders was crucial for advancing our core mission: fighting antisemitism and securing Israel’s place in the world.

Our success isn't just counting meetings; it's about translating shared conversations into concrete policy support and understanding.

• Throughout 2025, we hosted 53 diplomatic meetings with ambassadors and foreign dignitaries. These relationships provided necessary context that led to stronger support for the release of the hostages and Israel's right to self-defense.
• The pinnacle of this effort was the 2025 Ambassadors Seder, our largest ever. We brought together 400+ people, including 170 diplomats and government officials from 60 countries. The annual seder demonstrates the depth of the AJC’s diplomatic commitment: showing dozens of nations standing together, affirming the Jewish story of survival in a time of vulnerability.

Ready to join us in 2026? The Ambassadors Seder is scheduled for March 25th. Secure your attendance at this landmark diplomatic event: ajc.org/washington/seder2026

AJC ACCESS D.C. Young Diplomats Reception: Turning Pain into Purpose

AJC’s spirit of bridge-building and hope was most vividly on display at the ACCESS D.C. Young Diplomats reception. We gathered an impressive 50 young diplomats from 30 countries for a focused discussion of opportunities for Israeli and other NGOs to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza while circumventing Hamas. The evening was tragically cut short by the heinous terrorist attack that claimed the lives of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two young Israeli Embassy staffers who committed to the very vision of peace and dialogue we champion.

We honor their memory (z"l) by refusing to let hatred silence us. Their lives and their work, to build genuine relationships, inspire the resolve behind AJC Washington D.C.'s work.

II. Strengthening Our Foundations: AJC in the DMV

The thread of relationship runs through our regional advocacy, empowering us to tackle the rise in antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

• We intensified our community outreach by conducting 13 antisemitism awareness workshops for law enforcement, government officials, and key community leaders, and held 9 meetings with state and local public officials. These workshops deepened the understanding of the history and challenges posed by antisemitism, how it affects the community, and emphasized what governments, law enforcement, and individuals must do to confront it.
• We expanded our collaboration with other Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation, JCRC, ADL, and others. Our complimentary skills and expertise fostered cooperation in the community and drove regional mobilization through action alerts and legislative advocacy. These organizations use AJC education and advocacy materials, such as our Call to Action to Combat Antisemitism and Israel-related resources, to augment their efforts to achieve our shared goals. We are proud of these partnerships and commit to expanding them in 2026 and beyond.

III. Passing the Torch: Our Most Important Responsibility

The most vital thread we weave is with the next generation. We must equip them not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to lead..

We are forging future advocates who are ready to stand up for the Jewish people.

• We were excited to host nearly 200 Jewish high school students from across the U.S. at our National Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) Advocacy Summit in Washington. These students left inspired, having built a network of relationships with Jewish teens across the country who support one another in their advocacy in their schools and communities. We are proud of our local LFT cohort of 30 students from 16 diverse schools across the DMV including Bethesda Chevy-Chase, Sidwell Friends, and the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School.
• ACCESS D.C., engaged more than 175 DMV emerging leaders aged 22-39 through 30 programs including training seminars, social events, interfaith work, and educational opportunities.
• Our outreach to independent schools in our region which includes relationship building, curricular support and guidance to DC area institutions, is focused on making the lives of Jewish children and Jewish educators safer, creating learning environments free of antisemitism and ideological indoctrination.

IV. Get Involved: Strengthen the Thread of Connection

We invite you to actively participate in our work and deepen your commitment in 2026:

• Attend Key Events:
  • Ambassadors Seder – March 25th
  • AJC Global Forum – May 31st–June 2nd
• Support Our Mission:
  • Make a gift to sustain our advocacy and education programs: ajc.org/donate.
• Join ACCESS D.C. or LFT:
  • If you’re 22–39, connect with peers and diplomats through leadership programs: ajc.org/access.
  • High school students can learn more at ajc.org/lft.
• Advocate Locally:
  • Participate in community workshops and legislative outreach. Sign up for alerts: ajc.org/action.

V. Thank You: Leadership and Dedication

The success of 2025 would simply not have been possible without the extraordinary dedication of our volunteer leadership and the tireless commitment of our professional staff team.

We offer our heartfelt gratitude to Bruce Genderson, whose exceptional term as President guided our region with wisdom and strength through some of the most challenging times in recent memory. And we warmly welcome Sue Stolov as she steps into the role of President, ready to lead us into the years ahead with vision and energy. We also extend our deepest thanks to the entire AJC D.C. staff team, including Alexis Schwartz, Associate Director; Ben Hersch, Associate Development Director; Emily Jacobson, Associate Director, Alexander Young Leadership; Haim Yeger, Coordinator; Alex Buttgenbach, Washington, D.C. Office Manager, Merry Rutrick, Development Consultant; and Lena Frankel, Intern. Your professionalism, hard work, and commitment to the mission are truly inspiring.