A 10-year-old boy was called a “dirty Jew.” A high school junior misses a test because of Rosh HaShanah and needs help advocating with the school authorities. A local hospital schedules a giant charity walk for Yom Kippur.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation is there to help.
Jews in poverty lose benefits through government safety net programs and turn to the Jewish community for help. Our Jewish agencies help by providing services, but who will advocate for policies to serve the elderly and those living or poverty or with disabilities?
Anti-Israel activists gain ground in their effort to pass boycotts at local co-operatives. College student groups host speakers to sway public opinion against the State of Israel. Church groups consider resolutions to divest from companies that do business with Israel, embracing a skewed narrative of Israel as an evil power.
In all those scenarios, the JCRC takes a stand, contacts people in positions of authority or leadership, communicates with elected officials and mobilizes people. The JCRC is active in interfaith and intergroup efforts, and follows the prophetic call of Judaism to make the world a better, holier place for all human beings.
Through the JCRC, the Jewish community invests in strategic relationship building. “We build bridges of mutual concern and self-interest,” said JCRC director Elana Kahn-Oren. “We stand up for others in their time of need. And when we need their friendship and support, we have an infrastructure of alliances and partnerships in place.”
The JCRC’s mission is to speak as the representative of the Jewish community on issues of public affairs and public policy by convening and mobilizing the Jewish community through education, advocacy, social justice and support for Israel.
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