Jewish Community Relations Council

Are you interested in community relations work on behalf of the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA)?

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is accepting new members!


Become A Member

תוכניות חברות

The new JCRC is born of the belief that in a post-10/7 world, relationships are everything. While JCA regularly makes statements on our social media, in our newsletter, and to media organizations, the JCRC is invested in community relations: building bridges across faith and cultural lines in order to combat antisemitism and promote understanding of Jewish issues and the Jewish story. In short, we prioritize relationships over press releases, and we believe that hearts and minds are won in conversations and events that bring people together. Here are a few testimonials from our community-centered approach:

“Listening to all the points about Jewish history helped me remember what my parents used to tell me about Orang Jahudi (Malay for “Jewish people”) and their fight for freedom! My learning of the history of the Jewish people was much more important than the food. My heart was full that night.” —Indonesian community member on the JCRC’s Jewish-Asian Friendship Dinner.

"Minority groups like the Tutsis or others, it’s good for us to support Jewish people. Our people have many similar values: we discuss issues, we support our communities strongly, and we don’t eat pork. If I see Jewish people in the community, I see my brother or sister, even if I don’t know them." —Paul Niyonizigiye, from a JCRC spotlight featuring non-Jewish allies.

The new JCRC consists of three volunteer committees that assist JCRC leadership, including JCRC Director Zach Schwartz, in their mission of bridge-building and combating antisemitism. These committees include a Government Advocacy Committee, Intercultural Corps, and K-12 Advocacy Group.

פלטפורמת JCRC

The Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine is the largest Jewish organization in the state; however, Maine’s Jewish community is diverse, and while we all care about fighting hatred and antisemitism, we may not always agree on the best way to unite against it. Therefore, we want to make clear the JCRC platform and values, which represent many, but not all, Jewish Mainers. They can be distilled into two major points:


  • ראשית כל, אנו מאוחדים נגד אנטישמיות ושנאה נגד יהודים במיין, ובכל מקום ברחבי העולם.
  • שנית, אנו מתנגדים לכל צעד שפוגע באופן לא הוגן בדמוניזציה, דה-לגיטימציה או מיישם סטנדרט כפול כלפי מדינת ישראל, כגון BDS (חרם, דיסטנס, סנקציות); חברינו מחזיקים במגוון רחב של אמונות בנושאים ישראליים, אך אנו תומכים באופן חד משמעי בזכותה של ישראל להתקיים.


How to Join


ה-JCRC פתוח לכל חברי הקהילה (יהודים ולא יהודים) המתעניינים בעבודתנו ומזדהים עם הפלטפורמה שלנו. כל חברי ה-JCRC מקבלים:



  • מפגשי הכשרה מיוחדים ממומחים מקומיים ידועים וארגונים לאומיים כגון המועצה היהודית לענייני ציבור, יוזמת יהודים צבעוניים ופדרציות יהודיות לצפון אמריקה
  • ארוחות צהריים רבעוניות המסופקות על ידי JCA לחגיגת ניצחונות
  • Member perks such as books, invitations to JCA and other cultural events, and more
  • A community of like-minded individuals across demographic lines who are united in our mission to build bridges and pioneer the future of Jewish community relations work!


Join the JCRC

01

Government Advocacy Committee

קבוצה זו בונה קשרים עם נבחרי הציבור המייצגים אותם ועם מנהיגים ממשלתיים אחרים מטעם ה-JCRC. דוגמאות לעבודה שחברי הוועדה יעשו כוללות פגישות עם נציגי המדינה המקומיים שלהם או חברי מועצת העיר, כתיבת מכתבים בעד או נגד הצעת חוק, וקבלת תדרוכים מיוחדים ולא פומביים על אירועים אנטישמיים במיין.

02

Intercultural Corps

This group builds friendship with other communities and faiths, working to see our communities flourish together. Examples of work that the committee members would do include attending other cultures’ festivals/celebrations/commemorations as representatives of the JCRC, volunteering for other communities during their times of need, or participating in cross-cultural exchange programs that promote learning between Jews and non-Jews.

03

K-12 Advocacy

This group supports Jewish students and educators in Maine’s schools. Examples of work that the committee members may do include meeting with school administrators on Jewish issues, communicating with schools about observance of Jewish holidays, or recommending Jewish perspectives in curricula.

Jewish Community Relations Council Members

Jody Augustadt
David Brenerman
Sharon Chabrow
Leigh Dal
Alex Fram
Matthew S. Goldfarb
Whitney Hess
Jamie Isaacson
Lawrence Jackson-Rosen
Dawn LaRochelle
Laura McCandlish
Josh Moss
Ivan Most
Susan Most
Paul Niyonizigiye
Eydie Pryzant
Josh Rosenberg
Joanne Rosenthal
Sarah Shmitt
David Soley
Amy Tinkle
Linda Werner
Carly Wittman
Anna Wrobel