FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: November 6, 2014 Elissa Schwartz 301-315-8040 [email protected]

More than 130 Jewish Clergy and Leaders Come Together to Support The Community Through This Difficult Time

WASHINGTON, DC – Over the past two weeks more than 130 Jewish clergy and leaders have signed a community unity statement to express support for anyone experiencing pain or trauma as a result of the unfolding story regarding the recent arrest of Barry Freundel.

With the help of Rabbi Jack Luxemburg, Rabbi Dovid Rosenbaum, Rabbi Michael Safra, Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, Rabbi Amy M. Schwartzman and Rabbi Uri Topolosky, the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA), Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) asked clergy and leaders to sign the unity statement as an affirmation of their pledge to make the Jewish community and its institutions safe spaces where the relationships between clergy and community members are sacred.

The signatories of the statement are committed to working together to heal everyone impacted by this news. According to Elissa Schwartz, JCADA’s Executive Director, “It is important during times of hurt and trauma, that we remind the community that we are one people and we need to support each other. We want everyone to be aware of the many community resources available.”

Here is the statement in its entirety:

Greater Washington Jewish Community Unity Statement The unfolding story following the arrest of Rabbi Barry Freundel continues to inflict pain throughout our community. As we all continue to look for answers and comfort as the factual investigation and legal process continue, we would like the community to know, that although there are divides across the Jewish spectrum, we are one people and support each other. We are affirming our commitment to making our community and its institutions safe spaces where the relationships between clergy and community members are sacred. We extend our support to all members of Kesher Israel, the National Capital Mikvah and the Greater Washington Jewish community. We encourage everyone, including those experiencing trauma, to utilize any and all community resources for comfort and support. This has affected, and will continue to affect, all of us. You are not alone. The community is here for you. If you need further resources, please feel free to contact Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse's (JCADA) confidential helpline at 301-315-8041 or Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) at 301-838-4200.

Through their collaborative efforts, JCADA and JSSA are ensuring the community is provided with the best possible services and options to meet the needs of those affected. Support groups are now forming. For more information or to seek assistance, please contact JCADA at 301-315-8040 or JSSA at 301-838-4200.

###

About JCADA JCADA's mission is to support victims of domestic abuse to become empowered and obtain safe environments; to educate community professionals and others about domestic abuse and appropriate responses to it; and to prevent future generations from suffering domestic abuse by raising awareness. JCADA is committed to providing high quality services to all residents of the Greater Washington DC Jewish community as well as the community at large without regard to ability, background, faith, gender or sexual orientation. Learn more: www.jcada.org.

About JSSA For more than 120 years the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) has been helping individuals and families of all faiths across the metro DC area meet emotional, social, and physical challenges. JSSA provides services and support to more than 30,000 individuals annually through a wide range of counseling, educational, special needs services, in-home support, hospice and nursing care, and social services. Learn more: www.jssa.org.

About JFGW The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington transforms shared resources into richer lives and a stronger community. The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington welcomes the participation of interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds and sexual orientations. Learn more: www.shalomdc.org.

Complete List of Signatories

Arielle Nathan Teitelbaum, President Liza Levy, President Lawrence P. Kline, President Elissa Malter Schwartz, Steven Rakitt, CEO Todd Schenk, CEO Executive Director The Jewish Federation of Greater Jewish Social Service Agency Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Washington Abuse Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb Rabbi Jack Luxemburg Rabbi Dovid Rosenbaum Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Temple Beth Ami Young Israel Shomrai Emunah Congregation

Rabbi Michael Safra Rabbi Amy M. Schwartzman Rabbi Uri Topolosky B'nai Israel Congregation Temple Rodef Shalom Beth Joshua Congregation

Joined by:

Rabbi David L. Abramson Ellen Agler, Executive Director Rabbi Nissan Antine Tikvat Israel Congregation Temple Sinai Beth Sholom Congregation & Torah

Laura Cohen Apelbaum, Rabbi Charles Arian Sara Astrow, Jewish Coordinator Executive Director Kehilat Shalom Ft. Belvoir Jewish Military Jewish Historical Society of Greater Congregation Office of the Jewish Washington Chaplain

Adam August, President Rayna Aylward, President Vivian G. Bass, CEO George Mason University Hillel Kol Ami: Northern Virginia Jewish Foundation for Group Reconstructionist Community Homes, Inc.

Rabbi Matthew Bellas Rabbi Yaacov Benamou Jason Benkendorf, Executive Lower School Principal Jewish Rockville Outreach Director Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Congregation (JewishROC) Hillel

Rabbi Nehama Benmosche Benny Berkowitz, President Rabbi Leila Gal Berner Machar: The Washington Kemp Mill Kol Ami: Northern Virginia Congregation for Secular Humanistic Reconstructionist Community Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein, Rabbi Yaakov Bieler Alan Blank, Executive Director Adjunct Rabbi Kemp Mill Synagogue Congregation B'nai Tzedek Temple Rodef Shalom

Rabbi Dr. Arthur C. Blecher Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen Beth Chai Congregation Shaare Torah Congregation Congregation Har Shalom

Samuel Boxerman, President Cantor Rosalie Boxt Samuel Brylawski, President Capital Camps & Retreat Center Temple Emanuel Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington

Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum Rabbi Yitzchak Charner, Headmaster Rabbi Hirsh M.Chinn Aish HaTorah Torah School of Greater Washington Beis Medrash Minchas Yitzchok

Rabbi Jonathan Cohen Steering Committee Cantor Laura T. Croen Mishkan Torah Synagogue DC Minyan Temple Sinai

Jeff Dannick, Executive Director Jeffrey Davidson, President Rabbi Sholom B. Deitsch JCC of Northern Virginia Tifereth Israel Congregation Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia/Mikvah

Rabbi Chessy Deitsch Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey Alan H. Dorfman, President Chabad Tysons Jewish Center Agudas Achim Congregation Am HaTorah Congregation of Bethesda

Nancy Duber, President Mindy Facenda, President Rabbi Leibel Fajnland American University Hillel Temple Rodef Shalom Chabad of Reston-Herndon

Rabbi Charles Feinberg Norman Shore, Chair, Michael Feinstein, Adas Israel Congregation Steering Committee Chief Executive Officer Fabrangen Havurah Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington

Rabbi Michael L. Feshbach, Cantor Yael Fischman, Rabbi Lyle A. Fishman Senior Rabbi Chair, Religious Committee Ohr Kodesh Congregation Temple Shalom Mishkan Torah Synagogue

Esther Safran Foer, Sam Freedenberg, Executive Director Maharat Ruth Friedman Executive Director & CEO Tikvat Israel Congregation Ohev Sholom: The National Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Synagogue

David Gamse, CEO DSheldon Grosberg, President Rabbi Rachel Gartner, Jewish Council for the Aging of aJewish Council for the Aging of Hillel Greater Washington vGreater Washington i Jonah Geller, CEO dHazzan Sara Geller Cantor Edwin Gerber Capital Camps & Retreat Center B'nai Shalom of Olney Ohr Kodesh Congregation G Rabbi Laurie E. Green aRon Halber, Executive Director Rich Handloff, President Bet Mishpachah mJCRC of Greater Washington Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School s e ,

Rabbi Greg Harris Cantor Rochelle Helzner, Cantor Hazzan Rachel Hersh Congregation Beth El of Tikvat Israel Congregation Adat Shalom Montgomery County Reconstructionist Congregation

Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld Rabbi Michael G. Holzman Ari Israel, Executive Director Ohev Sholom:The National Nothern Virginia Hebrew Maryland Hillel Synagogue Congregation

Rabbi Brett R. Isserow Rabbi Linda Joseph Sarah Kagan, President Beth El Hebrew Congregation Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation Ohr Kodesh Congregation

Rabbi Yoni Kaiser-Blueth, Rabbi David Kalender Rabbi Alison B. Kobey Executive Director Congregation Olam Tikvah Congregation Or Chadash GW Hillel

Chaya Kranz, Executive Director Mark Lautman, President Rabbi Jonah Layman Mikvah Ahavat Yisroel at SSJC Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville Shaare Tefila Congregation

Rabbi Esther L. Lederman, Joshua Levisohn, Headmaster Rabbi Mitchel Malkus, Associate Rabbi Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy Head of School Temple Micah Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

Rabbi Jonathan Z. Maltzman Rod Matheson, Co-president Rabbi Mordechai Newman, Director Kol Shalom Tikvat Israel Congregation Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria- Arlington

Rabbi Janet Ozur Bass Hazzan Henrique Ozur Bass Rabbi Ita Paskind, Assistant Rabbi Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Congregation Har Shalom Congregation Olam Tikvah

Rabbi Amy R. Perlin, D.D., Constance Pesachowitz, President Rosh Pina Va'ad, Senior Rabbi JCC of Northern Virginia Rosh Pina Temple B'nai Shalom

Arnie Podgorsky, President Rabbi Mindy Avra Portnoy, Rabbi Michael A. Ragozin Adas Israel Congregation Rabbi Emerita Congregation Sha'are Shalom Temple Sinai

Rabbi Adam J. Raskin Naomi Reem, Head of School Rabbi Steven I. Rein Congregation Har Shalom Jewish Primary Day School of the Agudas Achim Congregation Nation's Capital

Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Frederic Richardson, President Rabbi Jonathan Roos, Senior Rabbi Southeast Hebrew Congregation Magen David Sephardic Temple Sinai (SEHC) Congregation

Janice Rosenblatt, Executive Director Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser, Rabbi William D. Rudolph, Temple Beth Ami Associate Rabbi Senior Rabbi Temple Sinai Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County

Rabbi Arnold Saltzman Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe Rabbi Jonathan A. Schnitzer, Hevrat Shalom Congregation Temple Rodef Shalom Senior Rabbi B'nai Israel Congregation

Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer Howard Schulman, President Rabbi Ethan Seidel Bethesda Jewish Congregation Mikvah Emunah Society of Greater Tifereth Israel Congregation Washington

Rabbi Gerry Serotta Rabbi Susan N. Shankman Cantor Michael Shochet Shirat Hanefesh Washington Hebrew Congregation Temple Rodef Shalom

Gregory R. Shron, President, Rabbi Yehoshua Singer Jonathan Solomon, Co-President Board of Trustees Am HaTorah Congregation of Tikvat Israel Congregation Jewish Primary Day School of the Bethesda Nation's Capital

Rabbi Gil Steinlauf Bradley Stillman, President Rabbi Warren Stone Adas Israel Congregation Jewish Community Center of Greater Temple Emanuel Washington

Rabbi Ari Sunshine Rabbi Steven Suson Al Tanenbaum, President B'nai Shalom of Olney Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Temple Emanuel Achim Paula E. Tucker, Ed.S., Executive Director Orlee R. Turitz, President Judith A. Unger, President Hillel at Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim

Rabbi Moshe Walter Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt Rabbi Steve Weisman Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah Congregation B'nai Tzedek Temple Solel

Rabbi Baht Yameem Weiss, Linda Sue Wever, President Bruce M. Wiener, President Associate Rabbi Temple Beth Torah Beth Sholom Congregation & Temple Beth Ami Talmud Torah

Susan Goutos Zemsky, Executive Director Temple Shalom Updated as of 11/7/14