Legislative Update: August 15, 2025

In this issue:


  • Thank Congressman Bacon for supporting the NSGP
  • Join JFNA's upcoming webinar on Israel
  • Have your high schooler join Student to Student for Fall 2025

Thank Congressman Bacon

After long delays in announcing this year’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program awardees, FEMA has not yet provided the list of sub-grantees to Congress claiming it is withholding the information from our representatives for national security reasons. This is unprecedented.


Don Bacon joined 70 members in signing a nonpartisan letter penned by New Jersey’s Representative Josh Gottheimer. (Reps. Smith and Flood did not sign, and we are reaching out to them to ask why.)

 

Please feel free to email Congressman Bacon to thank him for his steadfast support on the NSGP and to encourage his continued engagement and oversight of FEMA and the Administration.


If you are a constituent of Reps. Smith or Flood, you may also want to share the letter with them to bring them up to speed on the issue, as well as their awareness of the letter and the status of NSGP-NSS and pending FY 2025 NSGP funding opportunity. When we do not yet know if our institutions have received this year’s funding, it makes it difficult, if not impossible to plan or apply for next year’s federal or state grants.


JFNA Webinar: Updates on Israel with Miri Eisin

Tuesday, August 19 at 2:00 PM ET


Hear from Retired IDF Colonel Miri Eisin as she offers expert insights on the current situation in Israel and Gaza. This program is part of our continuing effort to keep our communities informed and united in support of Israel.

In the News

Nebraska election officials seek more poll workers amid national shortage


LINCOLN — Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen wants more Nebraskans to be election workers. 


His office has estimated that counties need more than 9,000 people to fully staff the state’s polling sites and county election offices for each election. In Douglas County alone, Election Commissioner Brian Kruse says more than 1000 poll workers are needed.


Read more from The Nebraska Examiner

IDF says it sealed over 4 miles worth of Hamas tunnels in north Gaza's Beit Hanoun with concrete


The IDF says the engineering effort took place over the past four weeks, amid an offensive against Hamas in the town. 


Read more from The Times of Israel

What exactly is the Justice Department’s plan to stop antisemitism?


Rather than stake out a clear position on crucial questions, Attorney General Pam Bondi seems to be operating on a more ad hoc basis


Read more from The Forward

2025-2026 Academic Year: Join JCRC on Campus!

Hillel's Graduation Giveaway!

 

Hillel is so excited for your graduate’s next chapter! All you need to do now is let Hillel know where they’re headed in the fall, and they’ll be instantly entered into Hillel’s Graduation Giveaway to win one of ten $1,000 gift cards to help with move-in and dorm room essentials. Plus: Hillel will connect them with the Hillel on their campus and share helpful tips and resources before college starts and throughout their college career! 

Student to Student is Recruiting!

 

Student to Student is now accepting applications from high school juniors and seniors from all streams of Judaism for the 2025–2026 school year S2S cohort!


Presenters visit local high school classes and clubs to share their personal experience as a Jewish teen in Omaha with other students, fostering connection and understanding. It’s a powerful, meaningful experience and JCRC Omaha is excited to provide this program to our community.

Campus Connections at UNO

 

Connect with the Jewish community at UNO!


On Sunday, August 24, catch JCRC at MavFest- stop by, get some free swag, and meet other Jewish students!


On Thursday, August 28, join JCRC and bring your friends for Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate at Getting to Know the 'O'. Sign a pledge against antisemitism and all forms of hate and get a free bagel and cream cheese!

If you know someone who would like to stay up to date with our work and legislative newsletter, please forward this email so they can subscribe!

Guided by Jewish values, the nonpartisan Jewish Community Relations Council works in common cause with other religious, racial, ethnic, and civic groups to foster a just, democratic, and pluralistic society. The JCRC advocates, educates, collaborates, and mobilizes action on issues important to the Jewish Community and greater community to fight antisemitism and hate in all its forms and promote the security of Israel and Jews everywhere.