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26 June 2025
by Keren M. Waranch, Chief Development Officer
On Wednesday, I had the honor of joining fellow lay and professional leaders from Greater Washington—alongside hundreds more from 100+ Jewish communities across the country—for the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)’s Emergency Leadership Mission: United for Security on Capitol Hill.
As JFNA CEO Eric Fingerhut so powerfully said, “The power of today is our unity.”
I felt that unity profoundly. It gave me strength and deepened my pride in being Jewish—and in serving our community through the work of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
Building Security Through Advocacy
Throughout the day, I met leaders from every corner of Jewish life. We come from different backgrounds, attend different kinds of synagogues—or none at all. We live in diverse communities, hold a wide range of political beliefs, and may disagree on many issues. And yet, we stood united by a shared purpose: ensuring that our Jewish communities have the security and resources to live freely and safely as Jews. To celebrate simchas (joyful Jewish lifecycle events). To attend school. To pray. To observe our holidays. To mourn. All without fear.
Together, we called on Congress to expand the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)—a vital source of support for Jewish institutions nationwide. Locally, our JShield initiative helps schools, synagogues, and other organizations apply for these funds and turn them into real-world security upgrades. It’s one of the many ways we’re investing in safety—not just through dollars, but through expertise, coordination, and partnership.
A Memorable Capitol Hill Moment
One moment captured the spirit of the day perfectly: a group of us—lay leaders and professionals from Greater Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis—were racing to make it to our meeting with Jonathan Lord, the new national security advisor to Senator Angela Alsobrooks. The usual route was closed, so we had to get creative. After some quick coordination (and a little begging), I found a staffer named Zane who helped us access the restricted train that runs between the House and Senate buildings. Thanks to Zane, we arrived just in time. The meeting was incredibly productive, especially the conversation with Alsobrooks’s new national security advisor, Jonathan Lord, who, as it happens, is Jewish.
It wasn’t just a logistical workaround. It was a reminder that behind every policy win and funding decision is a relationship, a human moment, a door opened.
And sometimes, that connection comes with VIP access to the underground Senate train—complete with a new friend named Zane.
Strength in Collective Action
We came together with a single goal: to keep our communities safe. We showed up to tell our stories—diverse, personal, and deeply rooted in Jewish life—and to affirm our determination to live proudly and securely as Jews, even in the face of rising antisemitism and new threats unlike any we’ve experienced in the U.S., and certainly not in Washington, DC.
I’m especially grateful to Guila Franklin Siegel, one of our partners at the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington, who led many of the day’s meetings with clarity, purpose, and a deep understanding of what’s at stake. Her reflections capture the urgency and solidarity of the moment beautifully.
Why I Returned to Federation
It’s been nearly six months since I returned to Federation. I came back for many reasons. I believe in the power of philanthropy—what becomes possible when people give generously and collectively to drive meaningful change. I love the Jewish community, and I especially love the Jewish community here in Greater Washington. I moved here with purpose, like so many others, at 23 years old. Nearly 30 years later, I feel more at home here than ever.
This week gave me renewed hope that we will get through this challenging time—so long as we do it together.
Our unity is our strength. Now more than ever, it’s up to all of us to show up, speak out, and invest in the security and resilience of Jewish life—for ourselves and for generations to come.
Let’s keep moving forward—together.