Endorsement: Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund Endorsed Our Campaign
I feel deep gratitude for the JUFJ Campaign Fund’s endorsement and hope that we can bring a change in accessibility and advocacy to the DC Council together. I want to let you know who they are and what this endorsement means to me.
The JUFJ Campaign Fund is a local 501(c)(4) organization focused on advancing several values like: impact that advances equity, relationship, integrity, balancing the prophetic with the pragmatic, and think jewishly, act locally.
As part of their endorsement process, I submitted an endorsement questionnaire and completed an endorsement interview. A standout moment for me in that process was when I had to name ways I would make advocacy to the DC Council more accessible. It stood out because I believe leadership is about making people feel seen, heard, and valued.
I’ve seen firsthand how the accessibility of Council advocacy shapes whether residents feel heard or shut out of the policymaking process. When the late Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham chaired the Committee on Human Services, he held hearings and roundtables in the community. Once holding 16 in a single month, including at DC General, the former family shelter.
Taking hearings to the people made it easier for residents experiencing homelessness to advocate for themselves. The impact of this approach on the honesty and depth of testimony was immeasurable.
As a freshman At-Large Councilmember, I would advocate to reconstitute this intentional effort to take hearings to the people, to meet residents where they are, profoundly simplify the process for those experiencing homelessness and housing instability to advocate for themselves, share their lived experiences, and engage directly with the Council crafting the policies that govern their lives.
When the Council genuinely facilitates resident input the policies we enact become significantly more grounded in reality, more responsive to community needs, and fundamentally more just. That is the kind of accountable, people-centered Council I am committed to helping create for the District of Columbia.
I am excited for all of our mitzvot to come in our partnership and hope you’ll take the time to read more about this progressive Jewish organization making a difference in our region, and especially right here in DC.