Dear Community,

Here's the truth: things are tough right now. Here's another truth: together, we're tougher.

Antisemitic incidents in educational settings have surged and too many schools find themselves unprepared to address these issues effectively. That's why we didn't slow down this summer.

We've been training educators, pushing for policy changes, and building coalitions, because making sure our kids are safe, and thriving is our collective priority.

In this first ADL D.C. newsletter of the new school year, I am proud to showcase ways to get involved, stay involved, and continue the fight against hate for good.

Best wishes,
Tali Cohen
ADL Washington, D.C. Regional Director

Is your child heading back to school? Equip your family with ADL’s Safe, Seen and Included Toolkit, which includes conversation guides, action steps and more to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.

🗨️ Have You Heard of DAMPL?

The Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL) is a radical, far-left, anti-Zionist group known for engaging in violent and destructive “direct actions” against institutions and individuals perceived as being connected to Israel. Click here for the must-know facts.

📢 Major Report: Which States Lead—and Lag—in Fighting Antisemitism

As violent attacks rock Jewish communities nationwide, the ADL just launched the Jewish Policy Index (JPI) — the first-ever state-by-state scorecard revealing how your government is responding to the worst surge in antisemitic incidents in since the ADL began recording. This unprecedented platform grades every state on their actual laws, education policies, and concrete actions to combat hate. Some states are failing, and the reasons why will alarm you. Find out your state's grade now — the results are already sparking urgent calls for reform.

📣 ADL and JLens Issue Joint Statement on Norway's Controversial Israel Policy

ADL and JLens have condemned Norway's Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) for divesting from 11 Israeli companies, revealing a shocking double standard in the world's largest sovereign wealth fund. A new JLens analysis found that GPFG excluded Israeli companies at a staggering 32% rate—the highest among all 63 countries in its portfolio—while companies from authoritarian regimes like China (2%), Qatar (0%), and Turkey (0%) faced minimal to no exclusions despite poor human rights records. Click here to see what ADL CEO and National Director Jonathan Greenblatt said.

💼 When Music Turns to Incitement: The Case of Kneecap, the Irish Hip-Hop Trio

Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap has escalated their anti-Israel activism to alarming levels, displaying terrorist flags on stage, praising Hamas and Hezbollah at concerts, and posting social media content that compares the Star of David to Nazi swastikas. The group's support for designated terrorist organizations has sparked police investigations in the UK, with band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh charged with a criminal offense for displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London performance. Their inflammatory rhetoric reached new heights when they cancelled their sold-out US tour amid mounting legal troubles— but the most shocking revelations about their extremist connections and the specific incidents that finally crossed the line will leave you stunned.

📣 Have You Heard of HCW4P?

A disturbing breakdown reveals that Healthcare Workers for Palestine (HCW4P) isn't just another advocacy group — it's a network of medical professionals promoting the eradication of Israel and glorifying terror attacks. The group openly denies Israel's right to exist, uses antisemitic tropes, and calls for harassment of Zionists, potentially including Jewish patients and colleagues. As these extremist views spread through hospitals and medical schools, critics warn that radical ideology is compromising medical ethics and patient safety. Click here to see what you should know about this anti-Zionist network.

🎓 The Jewish Organizations Urging Universities to Combat Campus Antisemitism

Four major Jewish organizations have united to issue an urgent call to university leaders across the country regarding ongoing concerns about campus environments with increasing antisemitism. The coalition, representing diverse segments of the Jewish community, is demanding concrete action and accountability from academic institutions. Their joint statement outlines specific measures they believe are necessary to ensure student safety and well-being.  What steps are these organizations asking universities to take, and how are they proposing to hold institutions accountable?

📌 Normalizing Gore, Nurturing Hate: The Extremist Ecosystem of “WatchPeopleDie”

Two teenagers who later carried out school shootings—Natalie Rupnow and Solomon Henderson—began by engaging with the gore site “WatchPeopleDie,” where they were exposed to shocking violence and recruited into extremist networks. Within 19 months, both had interacted with white supremacist content, with their activity on the platform forming part of a normalized echo chamber of gore and hate that seemingly paved their path toward violence. This chilling chain—from voyeuristic horror to real-world atrocity—should make us rethink just how lethal an internet click can become.  Learn more here.

🎯 Are White Supremacists Targeting Your Teen?

White supremacist groups are increasingly targeting teenagers, recruiting them for real-world “ground action” through strategic outreach and messaging. This alarming shift moves beyond online radicalization, showing an organized effort to train and mobilize youth into extremist activities. The ADL’s findings underscore how these movements are grooming a new generation to act on hateful ideologies. Want to know how and why your teen could become a pawn in this dangerous play? Click to read the full ADL report.

On October 29, 2025, please join our community at the JCRC's 2025 Gala as they honor distinguished leaders from across the region.

The JCRC is delighted to present June and David Trone with the Breslau-Goldman Award; Behnam Dayanim with the Sara and Samuel Lessans Community Leadership Award; and Eva Davis with the Distinguished Service Award. Each honoree has given years of exemplary leadership and dedicated service to our growing and diverse Jewish community in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Doors open at 5:30 PM | Business attire | Register here!

Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding, spark meaningful dialogue, or equip your audience with tools to combat hate, our team offers impactful presentations and interactive trainings tailored to your needs. We cover a range of topics including antisemitism, extremism, hate crimes, allyship, and strategies for building inclusive and respectful communities. Our speakers bring both expertise and passion, creating an engaging and thought-provoking experience for participants of all ages and backgrounds.

To request a speaker, please fill out our Speaker Request Form, and a member of our team will follow up with you promptly to discuss the details and next steps. We look forward to partnering with you to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all.

Protect Students

• Join ADL's School Action Network for Educators
• Thank Teachers for Speaking Out Against Hate
• Demand NAIS Protect Jewish Students, Families, and Faculty
• Tell Congress to Protect Jewish Students on Campus

Addressing October 7

• October 7 Victims Deserve Justice and Compensation

Combating Antisemitism Online

• Stop the Spread of Hate Online
• Tell Meta to Address the #KillAllJews Hashtag
• Play Without Fear: Eradicate Hate in Online Gaming
• Tell Developers of AI Chatbots like ChatGPT to Stop Amplifying Hate