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The Federation of Jewish Women's Organizations of Maryland Joins the Baltimore Jewish Council Statement on the Ceasfire Agreement
The Baltimore Jewish Council welcomes today's release of hostages held by Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza for nearly 500 days, as well as the start of an extended pause in fighting that will hopefully lead to lasting peace and security.
Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, our Baltimore community has prayed for the safe return of the more than 250 men, women, and children who were taken hostage that day. We have mourned with our friends, families and all of Israel each time we learned of another hostage who had been killed in captivity, and each time we learned of an Israeli soldier killed in the quest to bring the hostages home safely.
We know that the hostages being released as part of this agreement will have suffered immeasurable trauma over the past 15 months, and we sadly recognize that many of the individuals who are to be returned through this agreement are no longer living.
We are deeply appreciative that the outgoing administration of President Biden and the incoming administration of President-elect Trump were able to set aside their differences and cooperate to move forward with this incredibly important agreement.
We now call on the United States and the international community to ensure that each phase of this agreement moves forward and that all of the remaining hostages are released as soon as possible. The tremendous destruction and suffering from more than a year of war must come to an end. We are hopeful that responsible leaders on all sides can use this agreement to negotiate for an enduring peace that will ensure Israel's safety and security.
The Baltimore Jewish Council and the Jewish Women's Organizations of Maryland stands in solidarity with Israel and Israel's right to defend itself.
TAKE ACTION!
Here are some resources for you and your organization to help you make a DIFFERENCE.
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MLAW
These 7 Bills have passed 2024
HB 496/SB 758 - Sexual Crimes - Definition of Consent and Repeal of Force - Lisae Jordan, Maryland Coaltion Against Secual Assaul.
HB 99/SB 113 – Criminal Law - Sexual Solicitation of a Minor Through Child Pornography – Prohibition - Lisae Jordan, Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
HJ 1/SJ 1 – Affirming the Federal Equal Rights Amendment - Judy Carbone, Maryland NOW.
HB 39/SB 197 – Residential Services Agencies - Reimbursement - Personal Assistance Services (Homecare Worker Rights Act of 2024)- David Rodwin, Public Justice Center.
HB 1091/SB 975 – Public Safety – Reproductive Health Care Clinic Security Grant Program – Establishment (Supporting Reproductive Health Care Clinics Act) [substituted for HB 1412/SB 947 – Abortion Care Access Grant Program and Fund – Establishment] - Jennifer Mercer, Pro Choice Maryland.
HB 649/SB 525 – Labor and Employment - Equal Pay for Equal Work - Wage Range Transparency - Delegate Jennifer White Holland and Kali Schumitz, Maryland Center of Economic Policy.
HB 691/SB 119 – Legally Protected Health Care - Gender-Affirming Treatment - Scott Tiffin, Office of Senator Clarence Lam.
The following 2 bills did not pass and will probably be introduced next January where we will once again support them in the next session.
HB 869/SB 753 – Public Safety - Firearm Background Checks, Victim Notification, and the Maryland State Police Gun Center – Melanie Shapiro, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence.
HB 482/SB 398 – Criminal Injuries Compensation Board - Victims of Nonfatal Strangulation – Melanie Shapiro, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
Raise a Glass to Toast our 2024 Success – Stephanie McGencey, MLAW Board Member.
Anti Defamation League
100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 974-3901
1-800-811-8336
MD Relay 1-800-735-2258
Reporting an Antisemetic event, or incident. If you feel that you have been a victim of antisemitism or have witnessed an incident or event, you can feel safe that this can be reported through the Anti- Defamation League (ADL) This is their statement:“Thanks to thousands of people like you who have reported incidents, we are able to help communities across the country by reporting on trends, educating lawmakers and law enforcement and advocating for stronger protections from incidents and crimes.
ADL works to prevent people from being targeted because of their religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or level of ability. But we cannot do it alone. We need your help as, together, we work toward making our communities, country and world a safer place for all.”
Combating Jewish Hate
https://ma.cjp.org/antisemitism-initiative (Combined Jewish Philanthropies)
We are alarmed; and we are taking action. Together with our communal partners and the, Fighting Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism Task Force, we've proposed a 5-point plan to combat Jewish hate.
We aim to:
- Face Jewish Hate The first part of our strategy is a public-facing awareness, education, and mobilization campaign to fight back against antisemitism.
- Empower our community. The campaign will direct people to a communal resource hub: a website with curated resources, educational tools, and opportunities to act so that community members are motivated and equipped to stand up and fight back.
- Build allyship. A key component of our strategy is building stronger relationships with non-Jewish influential people, such that they stand up and publicly speak out about antisemitism, and work to ensure policies are free of discrimination toward Jews and Israel.
- Inform and educate the next generation. We’re giving young people the tools they need when faced with Jewish hate and working to ensure fair and equal treatment of Jews and Israel through the educational system.
- Strengthen communal security. Finally, a cornerstone of our plan is the growth of our Communal Security Initiative (CSI), where we are doubling our capacity to serve the safety needs of our community
BALTIMORE JEWISH COUNCIL
5750 Park Heights Ave
Baltimore, MD 21215
Main phone: 410-542-4850
Emily Goodman, Director of Holocaust and Antisemitism Programming
egoodman@baltjc.org
Emily may be contacted regarding programs on antisemitism and educational needs.
THE ASSOCIATED: Stand Up to Jewish Hate Program
“Hate doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and one form of hate leads to another.”
ANTISEMITISM IS NOT HISTORICAL.
IT IS NOT THEORETICAL.
IT IS NOT DISTANT.
IT IS HERE. IT IS NOW.
101 West Mt Royal Ave
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-727-4828
THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MARYLAND LEGISTLATIVE AGENDA FOR WOMEN
| The Federation of Jewish Women's
Organizations of Maryland is the Oldest Jewish Women's Federation in the Country Founded 1916 |
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