Community Relations Council

 

Mission

To educate, advocate and collaborate on issues of vital importance to the Jewish community, based on consensus, civility, and a commitment to Jewish values of social justice. Our Community Relations Council envisions a just society with strong and vibrant Jewish communities world-wide, and seeks to enhance that strength through collaboration with other faith and cultural communities. The CRC strives to present a unified and clear voice for the broader Jewish community in response to incidents of anti-Semitism, bias and hate speech in Maine and to be a resource for Maine’s elected officials on matters that relate to the Jewish community.

In the last year, our Community Relations Council worked to increase awareness of issues related to Israel, Combatting Antisemitism, and protecting the rights of minority communities. We offered courses, wrote op-eds and statements, brought in speakers, and engaged in longer term projects. We recognize the unique role the JCA can play as a place where those of all political perspectives can participate, learn, and grow together.

Creating communal space for engagement on issues related to pluralism, and combatting bias, antisemitism and prejudice, is urgent and necessary work. With the support of the Sam L. Cohen Foundation, we planned to offer the “Community Seder” interfaith program for the second year in a row, but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak; we treasure the relationships built through this program and look forward to offering it again as soon as possible.

 

If you’d like to learn more about the CRC or would like to get involved, please email jca@mainejewish.org.

 

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