More than 300 people, including 50 federal, state and county legislators, listened to the accomplishments made during 2024 and the legislative priorities for the coming year during the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington’s annual Lox and Legislators breakfast.
The wife and sister of two Israelis being held hostage by the terrorist group Hamas also spoke Wednesday during the breakfast at Beth Shalom Congregation in Potomac.
Aviva Siegel was released after 51 days, but her husband, Keith, is still being held. She spoke of the cruelty she both watched and experienced, noting that some of the female hostages were chained or placed in cages. She was never permitted to cry.
Retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, as well as the majority of speakers, called for the immediate release of the remaining hostages, calling the situation “outrageous.”
He mentioned some recent accomplishments, including making sure Maryland gets a fair deal when the Commanders football team owners decide where to build a new stadium. If the team doesn’t stay in Maryland, the state will be compensated for razing the current stadium and helping with new development at that site, Cardin said.
He also talked about the federal grants distributed during 2024 to numerous Maryland schools and interfaith organizations for security.
Lt. Gov. Miller, U.S. Sen. Cardin, Md. Sen Ben Kramer and family members of Israeli hostages spoke at Wednesday's Maryland Lox & Legislators breakfast in Potomac @mymcmedia @JCRCgw pic.twitter.com/mTs3SRixM8
— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) December 18, 2024
Senator-Elect Angela Alsobrooks, who was elected to fill Cardin’s seat, said Cardin has been a great mentor, and she plans to continue to reach out to him and will follow his lead in standing strong for Israel and striving to build multilateral relationships in the Middle East to isolate Iran.
She spoke out against antisemitism and all forms of hate, adding, “Our children deserve to feel safe and be safe” in public schools and colleges. “There should be no room for hate of any kind.”
Lt. Gov. Miller agreed, noting, “We will not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia or any hate of any kind.”
She spoke about how Gov. Wes Moore’s administration is working to end poverty and gun violence.
U.S. Rep.-Elect April McClain Delaney (D-6) stressed the importance of building communities at the local level and vowed to audience members “to have your back.”
It was good to join @JCRCgw at Lox & Legislators, connecting with community leaders and discussing shared priorities. Grateful for the important work JCRC does to build bridges, promote justice, and uplift people of all backgrounds and faiths. pic.twitter.com/8bV8i3TLwy
— Lt. Governor Aruna Miller (@LtGovMiller) December 18, 2024
Both Maryland Sen. Ben Kramer and Delegate Julie Palakovich-Carr talked about their efforts in Annapolis to improve behavioral health, the 988 suicide prevention line and antibias training in schools.
Kramer spoke strongly of his support for Israelis and against members of Hamas, who he said wear civilian clothing and hide among Gaza residents rather than fight like a real army.
“Israel is held to a standard like no other people in the world,” he said, adding, “Israel is a beacon of light in an ugly, dark place on our planet. Israel is hope.”
Both Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Kate Stewart discussed priorities for the coming year.
“The good news is we ended the year with more reserves than we had predicted,” Elrich said. The bad news, however, is that federal funding for many programs has ended, and he expects worse when “the orange man” begins his presidency, he said of President-Elect Donald Trump.
Montgomery County needs to adopt Virginia’s taxing structure in order for the county to improve its infrastructure and lure more businesses here, Elrich said.
Locally, the JCRC plans to work in 2025 to increase security grants for nonprofits facing hate crimes and bias incidents. It intends to fight against poverty by helping the most vulnerable obtain housing, food and a quality education. It also will strive to expand quality childcare that is affordable and accessible for all.
