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The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) hosted a landmark Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) gathering on Monday in Richmond, Virginia, bringing together elected leaders, law enforcement officials, clergy, students, and activists to celebrate the storied history of Virginia’s Jewish community and reaffirm a shared commitment to confront rising antisemitism.
The gala dinner, held at The Commonwealth Club under the banner of “Faith, Freedom, and Legacy: Honoring Virginia’s Jewish Heritage,” was highlighted by a keynote address from Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
In his remarks, Governor Youngkin celebrated the more than 400 years of Jewish life in Virginia and also underscored the urgent need to defend religious liberty and stand resolutely against all forms of hate – especially amid a nationwide rise in antisemitic incidents.
“Jewish American Heritage Month is that moment where we recognize the incredible contributions Jewish Americans have made to our nation,” Governor Youngkin said. “But we also come together tonight to celebrate tremendous progress against the oldest hatred ever known. And the progress we have made together only encourages us that we have more work left to do. That is our collective commitment this evening. Where there is darkness, we must allow the light in. Every single day we must press forward, because if we stand still, we fall behind.”
Earlier on Monday, Governor Youngkin hosted a JAHM reception at the Executive Mansion and announced the signing of Executive Order 48 – the full text of which can be read HERE.
“No one should be unsafe in the classroom or on campus or feel targeted because of their religion or heritage,” Youngkin stated. “This Executive Order reaffirms and strengthens the Commonwealth’s commitment to safe educational environments free from discrimination and continues our actions against antisemitism and anti-religious bigotry in public schools and institutions of higher education.”
The measure builds on Executive Order 8, issued on Governor Youngkin’s first day in office in 2022, that established a state commission to combat antisemitism.
Monday’s evening’s program also featured a powerful gesture of bipartisanship from the Virginia General Assembly, with the presentation by State Delegate Michael Jones of House Joint Resolution 680 – a formal commendation honoring CAM for its extensive efforts in Virginia to confront antisemitism through education, public safety initiatives, and community partnerships.
Additional speakers and presenters included CAM Founder Adam Beren, Virginia Jewish community leaders Connie and Bruce Meyer, Rabbi Meir Lessoff of Chabad Virginia Beach, College of Willam & Mary Hillel Director Rabbi Gershon Litt, Minister for Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of Israel to the United States Sawsan Hasson, Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, and Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System David Dore, Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Jon Schleffer, and October 7th survivor Inbal Binder, among others.
“Celebrating American Jewish history and heritage is so important today, especially because the Jewish community is being attacked on social media, in our schools, and elsewhere,” Beren said. “I want to express my gratitude to Governor Youngkin for being a tremendous advocate for the Jewish community in Virginia and around the country since you stepped into office.”
In the audience were Halina Zimm, a Holocaust survivor, and Joan Johns Cobbs, who along with her late sister Barbara Rose Johns, helped spearhead the protest movement that led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling to desegregate public schools.
Chief of Police at George Mason University (GMU) Carl Rowan, Jr. was honored with CAM’s Guardianship Award for his exemplary efforts in creating a safer environment for Jewish students, particularly in the aftermath of October 7th.
“We were determined we were not going to let antisemitism get a foothold on our campus,” he said.
Student voices were also given a platform at Monday’s event. Kiera Schneiderman (Virginia Tech) and Gabe Stein (William & Mary) shared powerful personal stories of confronting antisemitism at their schools – offering both sobering reflections and inspiring calls to action.
The winners of CAM’s Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Virginia Contest were announced at the event. This scholarship program invited Virginia high school seniors and dual-enrollment students to explore Jewish American history and culture, and the winners were presented with their awards by Governor Youngkin.
CAM CEO Sacha Roytman said, “Combating antisemitism requires concrete and effective action at all levels of government and society, and Virginia is setting an exceptional example for other U.S. states to follow in tackling this challenge with a multifaceted strategy and specially-tailored initiatives. CAM is deeply appreciative of the commitment of both Governor Youngkin and a bipartisan group of Virginia state legislators to securing, supporting, and celebrating Jewish life, which was so tangibly and powerfully manifested this evening.”
