Government  

Antisemitism, Security Dominate ‘Lox and Legislators’ Breakfast

Sixty federal, state, county and municipal legislators Wednesday morning attended “Lox and Legislators Breakfast” to hear what is being done to curb hate and increase security at places of worship.

Gov. Wes Moore pledged his “unwavering support” to fight hate during the event at B’Nai Israel Congregation in Rockville, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council. Gov. Moore vowed to maintain the state’s $10 million allotment to keep people secure when they are “worshipping their God.”

“Progress is never given. It must be fought for, and humanity is never certain. It must be protected,” said Moore.

He spoke to a crowd of more than 300 in attendance of a time when a few of the families of Israelis that were held hostage following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by members of Hamas came to his office and expressed their pain.

“Hamas is not and will never be a faithful partner” in any peace process, Moore said. “Maryland stands with the Israeli people, and we support its right to exist in the same sense of security we all want.”

U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin

Moore said he considers it his job to “stop antisemitism in its tracks.” “We are going to make sure that people know that not only do we believe in a loving community, but we also believe in consequences for those who don’t.”

History is not always filled with positive moments, Moore said. That is why he wants Marylanders to commemorate the positives and negatives of the state’s history during its 250th anniversary in 2026.

“We must tell our story,” he said. “God’s grace and morale leadership” is what gets people through hard times, he added.

U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) looked out at the interfaith audience and declared, “We are tied together by our humanity. We are intertwined.” She called antisemitism ” a wound that continues to fester.” People must speak out and fight hate every day, she said.

She criticized the federal government, pointing to the firing and “demonizing” of so many workers and cuts to programs dedicated to helping the needy. “I believe America will long suffer if we continue along this path,” said Alsobrooks.

Alsobrooks said she is fighting to preserve health care, social security, food security and the right to vote. “These are the fights we have taken up,” she said.

There were two panels held during the event, one featuring U.S. Reps. Jamie Raskin, April McClain Delaney and Glenn Ivey.

County Executive Marc Elrich

Raskin said he represents 55,000 federal workers, more than 25,000 federal workers who have retired and many contractors. “They have been under assault since Day One” of the Trump administration.

He reiterated a slogan he has used since President Donald Trump was elected. “A rally a day keeps the fascists away.”

McClain Delaney said government workers have “a big bulls eye on our back.” The federal cuts “are hurting our health and well-being.”

The second panel consisted of state and local legislators.

County Executive Marc Elrich said he considered it his job to use the bully pulpit and consistently speak out against hate. Newly elected Council President Natali Fani-González agreed, stressing, “Hate has no place in Montgomery County.”

When Elrich was asked if he thought Montgomery County Public Schools were adequately dealing with antisemitism, he replied, “I hear from parents who don’t think enough is being done.”

JCRC Executive Director Ron Halber

He acknowledged it is hard to abolish. Edicts don’t change the way people think, he said. “This is a continuing education problem … “You can’t have teachers going rogue.”

Fani-González said everyone must understand that hate is not acceptable.

“The message that we are trying to send is the Jewish people are here and that we are engaged,” said Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council at the end of the two-hour event. “There is a lot of important work to be done.”

Besides combatting antisemitism, his organization’s 2026 priorities on the state and county level include securing funding for nonprofit social service agencies, protecting democracy, supporting immigrant rights, strengthening reproductive health and freedom for women, safeguard the environment, fighting against poverty, creating a just, caring society and supporting educational programs.

Write a Comment

Related Articles