Even though the Give to the Max Day website is down, the JCRC is still up and working as the "Voice of the Jewish Community".
Since 1939, one voice has spoken with strength and clarity to the Jewish perspective and understanding to elected officials, the media and other religious, racial and ethnic groups: the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC). The JCRC is a unique, local agency committed to: advocating for Israel, fighting anti-Semitism, social action advocacy, Holocaust education, and safeguarding religious freedom.</span>
JCRC Mission Statement:
The JCRC is the public affairs organization of the diverse Jewish community. We fight anti-Semitism, promote tolerance and build bridges across racial, religious, economic, political, and geographic lines.
JCRC's Major Initiatives:
Educate the public on the Holocaust and the continuing importance of tolerance (Tolerance Minnesota) Last year the JCRC reached over 4,000 community members through its Holocaust Educational programming.
- Responding to the Alleged Nazi living in our community: The JCRC maintains the attention of the judicial authorities, the media and the public, to this situation. http://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2013/06/investigate-karkoc-why-justice-demands-none-us-can-leave-him-alone
- Lawyers Without Rights: In conjunction with the Federal District Court of Minnesota and the Twin Cities Cardozo Society, this exhibit details the fate of German Jewish lawyers, judges and prosecutors after Hitler came to power. The exhibit is on tour in various communities across Minnesota. http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/230271931.html
- Protect and maintain an estimated $25 million annual funding stream in federal, state, and local government dollars for the Jewish community (Twin Cities Jewish Community Government Affairs Program) The JCRC secured $500,000 in state funding for the Minneapolis Jewish Family & Children's Service's Parent-Child Home Program.
Galvanize broad-based support for the State of Israel (Israel Advocacy). As Israeli-Palestinian negotiations resume, the JCRC has remained active in advocating for strong ties between our community and Israel.
- The JCRC organized an August 2013 trip to Israel and an exclusive meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with three members of Congress from our region to better understand Israel's history, and the geopolitical and the regional implications for U.S. foreign policy.
- In 2013, the JCRC also defeated a notorious example of Israel de-legitimization when a group seeking divestment of the State of Minnesota's Israel Bonds holdings before the State Board of Investment.
- JCRC Speakers Bureau delivered 150 "Israel and the Middle East: The Challenge of Peace" presentations in support of Israel, to local churches, civic, and school groups. This program was recognized in 2013 as an international best practice by the Israel Action Network
- The JCRC was also central to the passage of Iran Divestment legislation in Minnesota and South Dakota, which led to divesting approximately $348 million of securities in companies doing more than $20 million of business in Iran’s energy sector.
- “Israel and the Middle East: The Challenge of Peace” presentations in support of Israel were given to 157 church, civic, and school groups.
Mobilize the Jewish community for social justice and community service to improve the lives of Minnesota’s children, youth, and families (Justice Squared) The JCRC continues its work as the lead partner of A Minnesota Without Poverty (AMWOP), a statewide interfaith collaboration to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020.
Secure the physical safety and civil rights of Jews (Community Security) The JCRC serves as the coordinator with federal and local law enforcement to advise Jewish communal organizations in Minnesota and the Dakotas on security measures. Earlier this year, the JCRC coordinated a community meeting to guide local Jewish organizations through a Homeland Security Grant process.
