Jewish Community Partners

Alla Olswanger-Lubin, Federation Board member, and Elissa Taub, Federation Board member and Chair of Federation’s Community Relations Council Advocacy Subcommittee, joined over 400 Jewish Federation activists from 65 communities in Washington, D.C., and met with over 140 Congressional offices to advocate for legislation that would support Israel, combat antisemitism, and help secure Jewish communities.

Alla and Elissa met with aides from Rep. Steve Cohen, Senator Marsha Blackburn, and Senator Bill Hagerty’s offices, and met personally with Rep. David Kustoff. They urged Tennessee legislators to advance the Antisemitism Awareness Act, pass military support for Israel, and increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

“We stand here in the Capitol of the freest, safest, most powerful, open, inclusive democracy in the history of the world,” said Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) President and CEO Eric Fingerhut. When historians write of today, he said, they will write that “the Jewish people came to the Capitol of the greatest democracy in the history of the world and stood up for the renewed Jewish sovereign state.”

“It was an honor to participate in this critical advocacy experience and to represent the Memphis Jewish community with Alla Olswanger-Lubin at my side,” said Elissa Taub. “The concerns our community has about Israel’s future, addressing antisemitism and keeping our community safe are the same concerns for Jewish people across the nation.”

Elissa and Alla also attended a moving presentation with Maya and Gili Roman, whose family member Yarden Roman was released from Hamas captivity, even as Maya’s sister-in-law Carmel Gat remains a hostage in Gaza. Gili said the support of the Jewish community has been critical in the fight.

“It’s the deepest possible support that one can imagine,” he said.

Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog spoke to the activists and encouraged them to fight hard for Israel’s right to defend itself. He shared that Israel is thinking about a future, non-Hamas force that would rule Gaza, which would include Palestinian forces, he said, and was working to face off humanitarian problems.

Ambassador Herzog also spoke of the critical importance of North American Jewish backing for Israel.

“You have no idea how important your support is. The people of Israel know it, they appreciate it. And I’m here on their behalf to say…thank you.”

Activists also heard from Admiral John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications for the National Security Council, who provided key information about the Biden Administration’s ongoing efforts to free the hostages and secure additional defense spending for Israel.

Reflecting on her experience, Elissa said, “I am so grateful to Federation for providing the opportunity to participate in this event. I came away inspired by the support for Israel and the Jewish community within the halls of Congress and by the tremendous respect those on Capitol Hill have for JFNA.”

The Memphis Jewish Federation Community Relations Council seeks to advance the values, interests and priorities of the Memphis Jewish community through partnerships and collaborations within the Jewish and greater Memphis community. For more information, contact the Federation at 901-767-7100 or email lwolf@jcpmemphis.org