As Jews face rising antisemitism, the Jewish community is calling on our elected leaders to fulfill one of government’s most basic and serious responsibilities: safety. Achieving this in Maryland’s very challenging budget environment will not be easy. Our state faces a projected $1.5 billion budget shortfall—following another year of significant cuts. At the same time, federal changes and funding reductions are creating additional uncertainty for our state and for vulnerable communities.

There is a saying in politics: “If you aren’t at the table, then you’re on the menu.” As I wrote earlier, hundreds of Jewish Marylanders came together a few weeks ago for Jewish Advocacy Day. We met with legislators and heard powerful commitments from our governor, Wes Moore. But influencing public policy is not a one-time event. It requires sustained engagement. In a time of scarce resources, every community is making its case.

Last night, thanks to strong leadership from the Baltimore Jewish Council and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, key Jewish leaders from across Maryland met inside the House Chamber with Joseline Peña-Melnyk, the dynamic new Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates. Indeed, Pena-Melnyk has joined the Maryland........

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