JCRC of Greater Washington

APRIL 30 - SAVE DARFUR
RALLY AGAINST GENOCIDE
WASHINGTON, DC
Touloum refugee camp. Like kids anywhere, many of the refugee children in Chad are living in the moment, even though they have seen things no child should have to seen, borne burdens no child should have to bear. What future will these children have? (photo and text by Jerry Fowler, USHMM)

FOCUS ON: Community Relations

Since 1938, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) has sought to reach out to the broader community in order to engage interfaith and intergroup partners, promote understanding and social action, and further common goals. Sometimes this involves community-wide programming such as our recent Martin Luther King Jr. event. Other times it involves a smaller group dialogue, such as our Muslim-Jewish dialogue. The following highlights provide a sampling of what the JCRC is doing to foster a society based on freedom, justice and democratic pluralism. Find out more About Us

Remembering the Past; Building a Future – Black/Jewish Relations

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream always included the Jewish people—he envisioned a society where “black men and white men, Jews and gentiles, Protestants and Catholics” would live in a world free from hatred and bigotry. On January 11, the JCRC and the NAACP Montgomery County co-sponsored a Commemorative Program at the Bolger Center in Potomac, MD to explore the historic relationship between Jews and Blacks and to chart a course for the future. Reaction to the program was incredibly positive, with a consensus coming from many participants that there needed to be more joint programming between the two communities. more

A Shared Vision – Maryland Muslim-Jewish Dialogue

For the past two years, the JCRC has worked with four Muslim organizations on the state and local level to strengthen relations, share holidays, work on community projects and further common goals. Under the auspices of our Muslim-Jewish dialogue, our communities have celebrated Ramadan and Simchat Torah, rebuilt a home in Montgomery County, and shared the history of our communities. more

Beyond Borders – Ending Genocide in Darfur

For the past two years, the JCRC has worked with the Greater Washington Jewish Task Force on Darfur, a coalition of synagogue and organization representatives working to educate the Greater Washington community about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, and to mobilize the Jewish and interfaith communities to take action. Following a year that included candlelight vigils at the Sudanese embassy, educational programs at the National Press Club and Adas Israel Congregation, and the DC ♥ Darfur fundraiser, the JCRC is working with the Task Force to plan a number of advocacy programs for the Spring. more

Diversity 101 – Virginia’s Public Schools

Our Jewish community has always been a strong supporter of public education, and highly values the importance of education for our children. In addition to advocating alongside the Virginia Parent Teacher Association, Virginia Education Association and government relations specialists retained by our county public school systems, the JCRC of Greater Washington has initiated courtesy calls with area superintendents from Stafford to Arlington to Loudoun and the counties in between. more

Making the Connection – Virginia Interfaith Partners

The JCRC reaches out to interfaith and intergroup partners in Northern Virginia to promote understanding and social action, as well as to further common goals. more

Advocacy in Action – Interfaith Partners Join Forces

In December, the JCRC, the American Jewish Committee and the InterFaith Conference came together with community members at the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran to light a Chanukah menorah. Elected officials and community leaders lit candles to symbolize freedom from terror. In January, JCRC Executive Director Ronald Halber joined elected officials and community leaders at St. Marks Church of Olney for a press conference to denounce the recent spate of hate crimes committed at two churches and two schools in Upper Montgomery County as well as the vandalizing of several Chanukah displays in Gaithersburg and Rockville. more

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About the Jewish Community Relations Council
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) is the public affairs and community relations arm of the Jewish community representing 210 Jewish organizations and synagogues throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The JCRC focuses on government relations, Israel advocacy, inter-group relations, and social justice.

6101 Montrose Road, Suite 205, Rockville, MD 20852
Tel. 301-770-0881, Fax. 301-770-7553, www.jcouncil.org, www.solidaritywithisrael.org

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sponsors

Host Committee

Bender Foundation
Gary & Carol Berman
Ryna & Melvin Cohen
Marcy & Neil Cohen
David & Katie Colburn
Michael & Susie Gelman
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
Irene & Edward H. Kaplan
Jack Kay
The Honorable Sidney & Betty Mae Kramer
Andy & Eve Stern
Stinson Morrison Hecker, LLP
John D. VerStandig & Helene Frank

President's Leadership Cabinet

Esthy & Jim Adler
Albert Arent
Dr. Raymond & Vivian Bass
Sondra & Howard Bender
Norman & Diane Bernstein
Margorie Blumberg & James Catler
Marshall & Jennifer Breger
David & Sharon Butler
Deborah & Walter Cohn
S. Robert & Joy W. Cohen
Samuel R. Dweck Family Foundation
Norma Lee & Morton Funger
Ronald & Margie Glancz
Barbara Goldberg Goldman & Michael Goldman
The Honorable Paul Greenberg & Rick Billingsley
Ronald & Michelle Halber
Sophie & Howard Hoffman
Leslie & Sam Kaplan
Marvin & Dolores Kay
Gerry & Mark Lezell
Rabbi Jack Luxemburg & Barbara Etkind
Jimmy & Susan Pittleman
Howard & Geraldine Polinger
Jules Polonetsky & Na'ama Lewin
Lester & Irma Poretsky
Harvey & Wendy Reiter
Joseph & Karen Sandler
Guila Franklin Siegel & Nathan Siegel
Julie & David Silver
Carlynn & Lawrence Silverman
Jeffrey & Lynn Snyder
Saul I. Stern
Samson Stern
Terry & Linda Vann
Susan & Aaron Weinberg
Rabbi Stuart & Simcha Weinblatt
Harris & Rosa Weinstein

Benefactors

Herschel & Goldene Blumberg
Betty Nan & Herman Obermayaer
Rita & Barry Wertlieb

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