The JCRC was honored to host Senator Tim Kaine and a group of his staff at the JCFR office on Friday, August 21. A key focus of the meeting was on Jewish Community Security, but other topics were covered.

JCFR President Brian Greene led off the session by describing what it is like to be Jewish in Virginia Today. 

Legislative subcommittee member Gail Mozkowitz expanded the conversation on security by illustrating how the Jewish American Security Act currently before the Senate is intended to provide funding for synagogues and Jewish agencies to harden physical sites, train volunteers, pay for armed security, etc.  

JCRC Director Sam Richardson noted, "We were very pleased when Senator Kaine clearly stated that not only is he looking forward to co-sponsoring the bill, but he would also like to see this bill allocate a full $1 Billion to security for the American Jewish community in its first year."

Richardson added, "The Federation’s advocacy is for the equitable treatment of our Jewish students in public schools and universities, specifically by legislation requiring Title VI coordinators."

Senator Kaine provided several compelling ideas for bringing about this specific protection for our students as well as promised to use his influence to help improve public school curriculum regarding Jewish identity and history. 

Also joining the meeting was Arielle Vinnikov, a University of Richmond senior, who asked Senator Kaine about political speech and antisemitism on campus, as well as Iranian-American leader, Dr. Iraj Mirshahi, who spoke of the long history of Persian-Jewish community solidarity and the need to end the ideology of the ayatollahs. 

JCFR CEO Daniel Staffenberg closed the session with genuine thanks to Senator Kaine and his staff.