JCRC ENGAGING IN TIKKUN OLAM A BRIDGE TO THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE EDUCATING AND ADVOCATING FOR ISRAEL INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY SAFEGUARDING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY Safeguarding the Jewish Community The JCRC advocates for the rights of all Jews, monitoring and responding to anti-Semitic activity, and counters discrimination against all people. n Holds institutions and communities accountable for anti-Semitic incidents by working with them to take necessary steps to counter bigotry against Jews and other minorities. n Increases opportunities for teachers, elected officials, executives, and community leaders to learn about Jews and Judaism. n Calls out hateful speech, bigotry, and incivility, regardless of its target. Influencing Public Policy The JCRC acts as the eyes, ears, and voice of the Jewish community, mobilizing on key legislative issues. n Participates in local, state, and national coalitions related to separation of church and state, poverty, civil rights, and discrimination. n Works with elected officials at all levels of government. n Holds community events for the Jewish community to meet with candidates and elected officials with the goal of educating voters and increasing familiarity and sensitivity to community concerns. Engaging in Tikkun Olam The JCRC mobilizes Jewish volunteers to work together to strengthen our community and repair the world. n Defends the most vulnerable members of our community by advocating for policy change and filling immediate needs. n Galvanizes the Jewish community to help refugees and to stand in solidarity with embattled communities. n Nurtures social justice heroes through its Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award. A Bridge to the Community The JCRC works with faith, ethnic, and community groups to address common concerns, aiming to promote religious freedom, tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding. n Increases understanding and improves relations through powerful programming and dialogue through the Catholic-Jewish Conference. n Engages in powerful interfaith and intergroup relations through active dialogue groups and through Milwaukee’s interfaith organizations. n Counters polarization by convening people for thoughtful and civil discussion. Educating and Advocating for Israel The JCRC works to increase knowledge and support for Israel in the Jewish community and community-at-large. n Counters anti-Israel measures in civic, academic, and religious settings, and advocates for Israel with elected officials. n Shares with the community-at-large the special role that Israel plays in Jewish history and the life of the Jewish community. n Creates educational opportunities and facilitates civil and thoughtful conversations about Israel. Ongoing Programs & Services n Wisconsin Jewish Conference n 5 Year Calendar of Jewish Holidays n African Heritage-Jewish Dialogue n Annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents n Catholic-Jewish Conference n Civility: A Community Conversation n Hours Against Hate n Presbyterian-Jewish Dialogue n Public Education Partnership Cover photos: 1: Presbyterian-Jewish Dialogue participants study texts relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 2: Interfaith leaders in prayer prior to Nostra Aetate event 3: Rep. Dale Kooyenga meets with JCRC leaders Jewish community roundtable with Senator Tammy Baldwin Voting on policy resolutions at Jewish Council for Public Affairs’ Plenum JCRC convenes meeting between UWM officials and Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Roey Gilad In Jerusalem, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch meets with a Wisconsin-native who is serving in the Israel Defense Forces Refugees acclimate at Pan African Community Association after their arrival from Tel Aviv “ It became clear to me that my denomination had to move from debate to dialogue and from simplicity to complexity regarding Israel and Palestine. Through ongoing dialogues with the JCRC, we have built and reinforced bridges between Christians and Jews, and raised awareness around the complex issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ” – Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships, Presbytery of Milwaukee Rabbi David Sandmel and Phillip Cunningham, Ph.D., speaking on Nostra Aetate for the Catholic-Jewish Conference