Thousands of Jewish residents from across Washington State converged at the State Capitol in Olympia on January twenty-nine for the annual Jewish Community Lobby Day, organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, marking one of the largest gatherings in recent years.

Community members representing diverse congregations, ages, and backgrounds met directly with state lawmakers and their staff to advocate priorities aimed at strengthening Jewish safety, civil liberties, and inclusion.

Participants pressed for continued funding for nonprofit security grants to protect institutions and houses of worship, expanded statewide hate crimes and bias incident reporting and response services, recognition of Jewish holy days in state operations, and other measures to safeguard civil rights and human dignity.

Many attendees described the day as an empowering and historic demonstration of Jewish civic engagement in Washington State, underscoring both heightened concern about rising antisemitism and the community’s determination to shape public policy through respectful dialogue with elected officials.

The JCRC, a coalition of more than three dozen Jewish organizations representing tens of thousands of Jews statewide, structured the event to include briefing sessions, cohort strategy meetings, and direct legislative visits, ensuring that advocates could share personal stories and policy priorities with legislators.

Organizers noted that the turnout appeared to exceed previous years, reflecting intensified community interest in public affairs and sustained engagement since the record response to the JCRC’s statewide policy priorities survey last autumn.

Beyond Jewish safety and inclusion, some advocates also highlighted broader democratic principles, including robust free speech, protection of civil liberties, and support for human rights across communities.

Lawmakers from multiple parties engaged with advocates throughout the day, listening to concerns and discussing potential legislative pathways to address the issues raised.

Organizers said this level of participation — characterized by enthusiastic attendance and substantive exchanges — signals a strengthening of Jewish civic voice in state policymaking and a deepening commitment to collaborative advocacy in Olympia and beyond.

As the legislative session continues through spring, the JCRC plans to sustain community outreach and follow-up with legislators to advance the priorities articulated during Lobby Day.