(Graphic courtesy of the ADL) The Anti-Defamation League released the 2023 edition of its annual antisemitism audit, which shows a major spike in antisemitic incidents nationally and in the DMV area. There were more incidents recorded nationally in 2023 than the previous three years combined, and a 362% rise in reported incidents in Washington, D.C., with Maryland and Virginia experiencing significant increases as well. The 8,873 reported incidents in the U.S. in 2023 shattered the record for yearly antisemitic incidents since the ADL began compiling this annual audit 45 years ago, with a stag ..read more

U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks addressing the crowd at Beth El of Montgomery County on April 16, 2024. (Photo credit: Heather M. Ross) Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks addressed members of the Jewish community at an event hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington at Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County in Bethesda on April 16, where she discussed her beliefs, character and ideals. The event was part of a series organized by the JCRC in which major U.S. Senate candidates from Maryland have the opportunity to interact with members of t ..read more

I’ve long been a serious Chris Van Hollen fan. In my professional capacity, I assisted an independent expenditure campaign that helped him win his Senate primary. I even wrote a blurb for a book about Van Hollen where I labeled him a “visionary politician” who “put people, passion, and principle back at the center of our politics.” Not long ago, Sen. Van Hollen was a proud supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship and even now regularly condemns Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, recognizes Israel’s right to exist and affirms its duty to defend itself. Though these are indeed vital principles, agreement wi ..read more

The Washington Jewish Week’s April 4 editorial regarding U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and his relationship to Israel was mean in spirit and off base factually. I write as a Maryland resident — represented over the years by Sen. Van Hollen first in Congress and now in the Senate — and as the president of J Street, a pro-Israel advocacy organization. For decades, the senator has been rightly viewed by large swaths of Jewish Maryland as a friend of our community and of the state of Israel. He has voted for tens of billions of dollars in aid to Israel, money which has gone to missile defense, milita ..read more

An operating room at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel. (wikicommons / deror_avi) With the war continuing to rage in the Gaza Strip and some of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas being returned several months ago, trauma care medicine has taken on an increased importance in Israel, and one Israeli doctor who is native to the DMV area is in the middle of it all. Dr. Adam Goldstein was born in Washington, D.C., and immigrated to Israel after high school, eventually becoming a trauma surgeon and the head of trauma surgery at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel, where he was one of the f ..read more

Members of Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation at the Night of Lights event in December 2023. (Courtesy of Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation) Taylor Medoff was recently hired to serve as the temple administrator at Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation in Ashburn, Virginia, a move that brings Medoff’s history of growing up with the synagogue full circle, as she and her family joined and were active in the synagogue soon after its formation, when Medoff was seven years old. Having been at the perfect age to remember the early years of the synagogue as a child, Medoff offers a look into many of the ch ..read more

On April 15, I. Austin Heyman, of Bethesda, MD, passed away. Son of the late Irving A. Heyman and Madeleine Strauss Heyman Sliosberg. Beloved husband of the late Barbara (LeVine) Heyman. Devoted father of Stephen M. (Susan Steinman) and David F. (Victoria White) Heyman. Dedicated grandfather of Madeline, Henry and Miles Heyman. Dear brother of the late Marilyn Heilprin. Austin was born in 1931 in New York, NY. He graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, and earned a Certificate from the Academy of International Law at the Hague and a Master’s Degree in International Public Policy ..read more

Mary Giammatteo passed away on February 12. Born to Joseph and Audrey Giammatteo of Glen Echo, MD, Mary is survived by her partner, Jack Donohoe; her brother Ralph A. Giammatteo; many sisters and brothers-in law, and loving nieces, nephews, friends and students. Mary received a B.S. with High Honors from the University of Maryland and embarked on an award-winning artistic career. A renowned potter, Mary’s life will be commemorated at the Langley Park Community Center, where she taught for many decades. The post Mary Giammatteo appeared first on Washington Jewish Week ..read more

Jeffrey Michael Deane, 77, of Annapolis, MD, and Sarasota, FL, passed away on April 4 at the Hospice of Chesapeake Rebecca Fortney Inpatient Care Center in Pasadena, MD, after a fierce three-year battle with metastatic prostate bone cancer. Jeff graduated from Memphis State University and has left behind many close friends and relatives, who will forever mourn and remember some of his favorite sayings, including “ching-a-ling” and “who loves you, baby.” Jeff was a partner with Friedman, Billings, and Ramsey, Inc. in Washington, D.C., retiring in 2011. Following his retirement, he lived part-ti ..read more

Elsa Berenstein, beloved mother of Nadia and Ariel Berenstein, adored grandmother of Nona Berenstein Lee, retired NIH scientist, and loving wife of the late Professor Carlos Berenstein, passed away peacefully at home on April 17 after a long illness. The post Elsa Berenstein appeared first on Washington Jewish Week ..read more