(Boston, MA) – On Monday, March 19, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston (JCRC) and the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations (MAJF) were joined by over 200 legislators, volunteers, community partners, and allies at our annual Legislative Reception at the State House to honor Attorney General Maura Healey, Senator Eric Lesser, House Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sánchez, and Governor Baker’s legal counsel Lon Povich. Speakers at the event included Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem, and Senate Ways and Means Chair Karen Spilka. For more photos, video clips, and other quotes, visit jcrcboston.org/events/legislative-reception-2018/.
“In politics, as in life, it is rare to get a room full of people agreeing on anything, but through our honorees, these leaders and our network of partners, a tableau of our communal values and priorities was eloquently presented. For those who read my messages so diligently each week, you already know about our work supporting immigrants and refugees, endorsing economic opportunity, demanding gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform, and promoting a strong Israel/Massachusetts relationship. However, while it is one thing hearing it from me, it is quite another to hear it straight from the podium by these leaders framed by the JCRC banner, where speaker after speaker emphasized these very values,” stated Jeremy Burton, Executive Director of JCRC.
Quotes from our Speakers:
“[During my first trip to Israel,] I was taught the Hebrew word for leadership has the same root as verbs like driving and mobilizing. And that is what I think about when I think about leadership and JCRC. The force that you have been for so long on so many important issues, whether it was supporting young people for promoting community service, advancing social justice, combating discrimination, reducing violence in all its forms, and working to protect our immigrant communities… I appreciate all that you have done to stand up for those who are vulnerable, always, those who are voiceless, often.”
– Attorney General Maura Healey
“… As is often the case, until you actually stand [at the Western Wall] and have a chance to put your hands on it and to get a sense of how it breathes and the power of what it represents, I don’t think you can truly appreciate it… And I think that for me while this trip was about democracy and innovation and partnerships and all the rest, in that particular moment it was about faith and freedom and the opportunity to practice what for many people in many respects in the most important piece of which they identify themselves. And for the first time I really understood why having access to that Wall was so important to the Jewish community and to Israel.” – Governor Charlie Baker
“Throughout my speakership, I have known the JCRC to be politically engaged and active on many of the issues that are so important to me. It is a true honor for me to work side by side to make the Commonwealth a better place to live. Whether it is addressing gun violence, ending homelessness, combating and helping our seniors, it is has been my honor to work with JCRC every step of the way. With your input we have made significant strides in many of these areas.” – Speaker of the House, Robert DeLeo
About Jewish Community Relations Council
JCRC defines and advances the values, interests, and priorities of the organized Jewish community in greater Boston in the public square. Visit us at www.jcrcboston.org.
About the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations
MAJF is a statewide government affairs office that works to strengthen the relationship between the Jewish community and elected officials.
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