2009 AnnuAl RepoRt - Jewish Community Relations Council ...
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<strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Relations</strong> CounCil of minnesota and the dakotas<br />
<strong>2009</strong> <strong>AnnuAl</strong> <strong>RepoRt</strong><br />
JCRC Reunites HoloCaust suRvivoR and HeR ResCueR afteR 63 YeaRs (Page 10)
A Clear Voice • A Strong Advocate • A Dedicated Agency<br />
1<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
Committed to protecting <strong>Jewish</strong> interests and promoting <strong>Jewish</strong> values.<br />
The JCRC is the public affairs voice of the <strong>Jewish</strong> community.<br />
Since 1939, one voice has spoken with strength and clarity to <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
perspective and understanding to elected officials, the media and<br />
other religious, racial and ethnic groups: the <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Community</strong><br />
<strong>Relations</strong> <strong>Council</strong> of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC).<br />
tHe JCRC Mission<br />
As the public affairs voice of the <strong>Jewish</strong> community,<br />
the JCRC is committed to protecting <strong>Jewish</strong> interests<br />
and promoting <strong>Jewish</strong> ideals by:<br />
• Protecting and promoting the <strong>Jewish</strong> community’s interest in the<br />
general population;<br />
• Educating and mobilizing the <strong>Jewish</strong> community for advocacy;<br />
• Serving as the central public affairs arm of the <strong>Jewish</strong> community to<br />
elected officials, the media, government agencies and other religious<br />
and ethnic groups; and<br />
• Representing Jews, individually and collectively, here and abroad.<br />
The JCRC is a unique, local agency committed to: advocating for<br />
Israel, fighting anti-Semitism, community service, social action<br />
advocacy, Holocaust education, and safeguarding religious freedom.<br />
table of Contents<br />
Mission and Overview<br />
Leadership Message<br />
Program Highlights<br />
Financials<br />
Donors<br />
Our Story<br />
The JCRC is a beneficiary agency of the Minneapolis <strong>Jewish</strong> Federation and the United <strong>Jewish</strong> Fund and <strong>Council</strong> of St. Paul and<br />
is supported by the Bismarck, Duluth, Fargo, Grand Forks, Rochester, St. Cloud and Sioux Falls <strong>Jewish</strong> communities.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3–14<br />
15<br />
15–17<br />
18<br />
The JCRC thanks the Otto Bremer Foundation<br />
for making this annual report possible.<br />
fRont CoveR main: Reunion of Holocaust survivor Mia Lakmaker (right) with her rescuer, Wilma Stienstra (left). Courtesy of Pioneer Press. inset: Wilma and Mia pictured as young children.
Letter from the President and<br />
Executive Director<br />
The <strong>Jewish</strong> community in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South<br />
Dakota has a long and rich history that has seen good times and difficult<br />
times. The <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Relations</strong> <strong>Council</strong> of Minnesota and the<br />
Dakotas (JCRC) was founded in 1939 at a time when the region was known as<br />
a hotbed of anti-Semitism (for more information about the history of the organization, please read “Our Story” on the inside-back cover). There is one critical<br />
characteristic of the <strong>Jewish</strong> community that is as true now as it was in 1939; the <strong>Jewish</strong> community does not exist in isolation, rather it is part of a greater<br />
community comprised of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. An essential characteristic of the JCRC is the service of organizing/building/nurturing our<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> community’s relationships with the much larger non-<strong>Jewish</strong> community in which we are all inextricably connected.<br />
Steve Hunegs<br />
Executive Director<br />
Brian Kamin<br />
President<br />
Steve Hunegs<br />
Executive Director<br />
There is no other agency which has as its core mission the establishment and cultivation of relationships with the greater, non-<strong>Jewish</strong> community. The JCRC is the<br />
only agency serving as the central public affairs voice of the <strong>Jewish</strong> community to elected officials, the media, government agencies and other religious and ethnic<br />
groups. For example, in May of <strong>2009</strong> alone, the JCRC participated in a bill signing ceremony with Gov. Pawlenty for Iran divestment legislation; led our ongoing<br />
community meeting with Rep. Keith Ellison regarding the United States-Israel relationship; worked to organize a trip to Israel with Rep. Erik Paulsen; and<br />
organized and participated in a press conference with Senator Klobuchar at the Sabes JCC about the risk of breast cancer in women under forty (which <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
women of Ashkenazi descent are particularly vulnerable).<br />
The JCRC continues to promote tolerance, respect and community service, all of which are central to the JCRC’s mission. The programs in this annual report<br />
demonstrate our commitment and efforts to enrich and strengthen the <strong>Jewish</strong> community, whether by honoring victims of the Holocaust while educating a<br />
younger generation; providing resources to local school districts for teaching racial tolerance and the Arab-Israeli conflict; or working across religious and ethnic<br />
lines to combat past and ongoing genocide around the globe. The JCRC also has a unique role in community security. For example, we utilized our emergency<br />
communication system in June of <strong>2009</strong> to notify the community about the shooting at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.<br />
None of these programs would be possible without the efforts of our outstanding JCRC staff; our dedicated officers, executive committee and board of directors;<br />
volunteers; interfaith friends from diverse communities; law enforcement and invaluable support from our <strong>Jewish</strong> communal organizations, foundations and<br />
individual contributors. The JCRC thanks you deeply for your support.<br />
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in<br />
Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.<br />
Brian Kamin<br />
President<br />
Trade Mission to Israel<br />
Gov. Tim Pawlenty, center, addressing<br />
media before departing for his trade<br />
mission to Israel facilitated by the JCRC,<br />
the Consulate General of Israel to the<br />
Midwest, and community member Andrew<br />
Parker. Also pictured are Ed Dieter, deputy<br />
director of the Minnesota Trade Office (left)<br />
and Brian Kamin, president of the <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
<strong>Community</strong> <strong>Relations</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
of Minnesota and the Dakotas.<br />
(MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong> 2
stand uP foR isRael!<br />
AdvocAting for peAce And security in isrAel through educAtion, informAtion And community Action.<br />
Stand Up for Israel! staff and volunteers are our community’s local Israel<br />
activists, striving every day to maintain strong support for Israel.<br />
Our Stand Up for Israel! initiatives include:<br />
• Advocating for a Strong U.S.-Israel <strong>Relations</strong>hip to our elected<br />
representatives;<br />
• Building and sustaining support for Israel in the non-<strong>Jewish</strong> community;<br />
• Ensuring that media coverage of the Middle East is fair and accurate; and<br />
• Educating, organizing and energizing the <strong>Jewish</strong> community.<br />
Photo Courtesy of Lou Michaels<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
<strong>Community</strong> members unite for an Israel<br />
Solidarity Gathering at the Sabes <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
<strong>Community</strong> Center on January 11, <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
Cosponsors included the Israel Program<br />
Center of the Minneapolis <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
Federation and the Shaliach of the United<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> Fund and <strong>Council</strong> of St. Paul and the<br />
St. Paul JCC.<br />
Right: Governor Pawlenty Signs Iran Divestment Legislation into Law<br />
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (seated) signs Iran Divestment Legislation with chief legislative<br />
cosponsors: State Sen. Terri Bonoff, State Sen. Warren Limmer, State Rep. Ryan Winkler,<br />
and State Rep. Paul Kohls. Other supporters of the legislation included Minnesotans Against<br />
Terrorism, Christians United for Israel, and AIPAC. Pictured left to right: Afsheen John Radsan,<br />
Brian Dorn, Rabbi Avi Olitzky, Amy Rotenberg, Mark Rotenberg, Andrew Parker, State Rep.<br />
Ryan Winkler, State Rep. Paul Kohls, State Rep. Marty Seifert, Jacob Millner, Ethan Roberts,<br />
State Sen. Terri Bonoff, Brian Kamin, State Sen. Warren Limmer, Cliff Greene, Ilan Sharon,<br />
Steve Hunegs, Pastor Tim Burt, and Steve Lear.<br />
3<br />
left inset: Sen. Al Franken addresses the<br />
audience at an Israel Solidarity Gathering.<br />
Photo Courtesy of Lou Michaels<br />
iRan divestMent legislation<br />
The highlight of JCRC’s Israel advocacy initiative, Stand Up for Israel!, in<br />
<strong>2009</strong> was the passage of the Iran Divestment bill in the Minnesota legislature.<br />
The rationale of economic sanctions is to thwart, peacefully, Iran’s nuclear<br />
ambition—a critical goal in light of the threats of Iran’s President to destroy<br />
Israel and the threat a nuclear Iran presents to the United States, Arab nations,<br />
Europe, and much of the world. Furthermore, Iran has been identified by the<br />
State Department as the world’s most active state sponsor of terror, posing a<br />
clear and present danger to the democratic world, and to moderate Arab states<br />
in the Middle East. The JCRC was pleased that this legislation passed both<br />
houses of the Legislature with bipartisan support of its leadership, as well as<br />
bipartisan majority support from all corners of the state. The JCRC was also<br />
proud to have grass roots support from Christians and Jews alike. The JCRC<br />
spearheaded this effort, which will lead to the State Board of Investment selling<br />
approximately $280 million worth of stock in companies doing more than<br />
$20 million of business in Iran’s energy sector. Governor Pawlenty hosted a<br />
ceremonial bill signing on May 28, <strong>2009</strong>, at the State Capitol organized by the<br />
JCRC.
undeRstanding tHe<br />
aRab-isRaeli ConfliCt:<br />
tHe CHallenge of PeaCe<br />
To fully understand the Arab-Israeli conflict, one should<br />
look at the region’s history, both ancient and modern, and<br />
then move forward to the events that shape today’s reality.<br />
Sound bites and one-dimensional viewpoints cannot<br />
convey the complexity and texture of the challenges in<br />
the region, nor can they move us toward peace. JCRC<br />
designed the Challenge of Peace educational presentation<br />
around clear, meaningful goals to maximize learning while providing<br />
information that is balanced and thought-provoking. Our dedicated and<br />
trained volunteers share a multimedia presentation that outlines the key facts,<br />
history, geography, and culture underlying the current state of affairs between<br />
Israelis and Arabs.<br />
JCRC Honors Representative Jim Ramstad<br />
Friends of Representative Jim Ramstad honor him at Adath Jeshurun Congregation in<br />
Minnetonka. Pictured from left to right in the front row: State Sen. Terri Bonoff,<br />
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Rep. Michele Bachmann. Pictured from left to right in<br />
the back row: Steve Hunegs, Former Rep. Tim Penny, Sarah Janecek, Rep. Keith Ellison,<br />
Rep. Erik Paulsen, Gov. Al Quie, Honoree Jim Ramstad, Hy Rosen,<br />
Rabbi Harold Kravitz, Judy Halper, and State Sen. David Hann.<br />
Participants in the Challenge of Peace program have told<br />
us that balanced and informed dialogue help improve<br />
everyone’s understanding of this conflict. The Challenge<br />
of Peace program provided over 140 presentations to schools, churches,<br />
synagogues, and other community groups throughout Minnesota in the 2008–<br />
<strong>2009</strong> program year. The Challenge of Peace program also offers presentations<br />
on basic Judaism and anti-Semitism.<br />
Challenge of Peace Presentation<br />
Sally Abrams presenting to a delegation of Arab civic leaders from Yemen and UAE, who<br />
participated in a program organized by the National Peace Foundation in Chicago.<br />
JCRC Meets with South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson in Sioux Falls<br />
Pictured from left to right: Jacob Millner, Carol Rosenthal, Stephen Rosenthal, Senator Tim<br />
Johnson, Steve Hunegs, and Deputy Israeli Consul General Gershon Kedar.<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
4
safeguaRding ouR CoMMunitY<br />
fighting Anti-semitism And hAte crimes, monitoring the Activity of hAte groups, investigAting hAte incidents, And counseling victims of discriminAtion.<br />
Safeguarding Our <strong>Community</strong> works with local, state, and federal law enforcement,<br />
safety, security, and other organizations to develop and implement<br />
monitoring, prevention, response, and education programs. In 2007, the JCRC<br />
received a grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security under<br />
its Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The<br />
JCRC used this grant to implement communications tools that benefit <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
organizations throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas.<br />
safeguaRding ouR JewisH CoMMunitY institutions<br />
American Jews will not soon forget the shooting at the United States Holocaust<br />
Memorial Museum or the terror plot to blow up two Bronx synagogues in<br />
<strong>2009</strong>. Those and other anti-Semitic incidents continue to motivate community<br />
leaders to reassess and enhance security protocols. Safeguarding Our <strong>Community</strong><br />
works with local, state and federal law enforcement officials to keep our community<br />
safe. We help provide security guidance and serve as the official <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
community liaison with law enforcement.<br />
Safeguarding Our <strong>Community</strong> is also the watchdog of the <strong>Jewish</strong> community<br />
– fighting on behalf of victims of religious discrimination, educating teachers,<br />
administrators, and businesses about the proper role of religion in public<br />
schools, and sensitizing educators and businesses to the <strong>Jewish</strong> calendar. When<br />
local organizations, employers, or schools schedule events on <strong>Jewish</strong> holidays,<br />
Safeguarding Our <strong>Community</strong> is the place people turn to for help. We connect<br />
with schools in Minnesota and the Dakotas each year to provide information and<br />
guidance about permitted religious activity and requirements to accommodate<br />
religious observances.<br />
5<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
In July of <strong>2009</strong>, a hate “church” based in the Midwest visited the Twin Cities<br />
to protest and spew messages of hate at <strong>Jewish</strong> institutions. The JCRC led a<br />
coordinated effort to prepare the <strong>Jewish</strong> community for the arrival of the hate<br />
“church”. JCRC’s Safeguarding Our <strong>Community</strong> program worked with federal<br />
and local law enforcement to ensure that all of the targeted protest sites were<br />
properly prepared for the hate group’s arrival. As a result of JCRC’s planning<br />
efforts and the excellent law enforcement coordination with the targeted<br />
facilities, there were no incidents.<br />
Dr. Fred Lyon at the University of North Dakota, October 2008<br />
Dr. Lyon, a Kristallnacht survivor, participated in a series of educational programs on campus<br />
in connection with the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Dr. Lyon met with <strong>Jewish</strong> students<br />
and community members at B’nai Israel Synagogue in Grand Forks. His visit was part of a<br />
response to earlier anti-Semitic incidents on campus.<br />
Below: Dr. Lyon (pictured right) Meeting with Dr. Robert Kelley, President of the<br />
University of North Dakota.
Dr. Lyon’s Visit to UND<br />
(Continued from previous page)<br />
Right: Dr. Lyon speaking to students at UND<br />
about his experience during Kristallnacht.<br />
Below: <strong>Jewish</strong> students at UND attending a<br />
discussion with Dr. Lyon. UND Law Professor,<br />
Greg Gordon (pictured far right), helped<br />
organize Dr. Lyon’s appearance on campus.<br />
Also pictured (third from left) is Wilbur Stolt,<br />
Director of Libraries at UND.<br />
JCRC Responds to Terrorism in Mumbai<br />
Right: Shivanthi Sathanandan, a member of the<br />
India Association of Minnesota, lighting a candle<br />
at a memorial service for the victims in Mumbai.<br />
The memorial service was cosponsored by the<br />
JCRC, Minnesota Rabbinical Association, and<br />
Chabad Lubavitch of Minnesota and was held<br />
at the Sabes <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Community</strong> Center on<br />
December 7, 2008.<br />
Below: The JCRC participated in a joint press conference on December 2, 2008, voicing local<br />
solidarity condemning the terror attacks in India. Joined by members from the local Indian<br />
community, Muslim community, Rabbi Aaron Brusso (not pictured) of the Minnesota Rabbinical<br />
Association, Rabbi Moshe Feller (not pictured) of Chabad Lubavitch of the Upper Midwest.<br />
Senator Satveer Chaudhary (center) expressed his condolences to the victims of the terrorist<br />
attacks. JCRC Executive Director, Steve Hunegs (pictured far left), and Representative Frank<br />
Hornstein (pictured far right) also spoke at the press conference. Also pictured: Shivanthi<br />
Sathanandan, P.G. Narayanan, Gopal Khanna, Owais Bayunus, and Dr. Bruce Corrie.<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong> 6
toleRanCe Minnesota<br />
creAting A more tolerAnt And just society by promoting understAnding<br />
of All cultures And reducing prejudiciAl And hurtful behAviors.<br />
Founded in 2001 by the JCRC, Tolerance Minnesota promotes cultural,<br />
racial and lifestyle understanding through innovative diversity education<br />
and professional development training. Only 18 months after its inception,<br />
Tolerance Minnesota earned the Minnesota <strong>Council</strong> of Nonprofits “Best Anti-<br />
Racism Initiative” award and the National Spirit of Anne Frank award for<br />
outstanding citizenship.<br />
During the <strong>2009</strong> program year, Tolerance Minnesota’s workshops directly<br />
reached over 1,000 educators. These workshops include Race, Exploration of<br />
Language, as well as partnering to implement Facing History: Choices in Little<br />
Rock and Close the Gap, which examines disparities based on race, place, and<br />
income throughout the Twin Cities metro area.<br />
ColoR PRoJeCt<br />
The Color Project illustrates that people are defined more by what is inside of<br />
them than the color of their skin. Mixing colors together gives students a sense<br />
of pride and allows them to discover for themselves that there is no such thing<br />
as “black” or “white” skin color. Tolerance Minnesota staff facilitated the Color<br />
Project for 7,327 students last year and we are proud to once again facilitate the<br />
Color Project at Minnesota’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at<br />
Concordia University.<br />
Tolerance Minnesota billboard advertising the Color Project was partially subsidized<br />
through Clear Channel’s nonprofit PSA program.<br />
7<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
Andrea Simon, an 8th grade English<br />
teacher from South Middle School in<br />
Grand Forks, ND, commenting on the<br />
trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial<br />
Museum organized by Tolerance<br />
Minnesota:<br />
“<br />
I wanted to take a moment to thank<br />
you for provIdIng my student, Brady<br />
LaurIn, wIth thIs wonderfuL opportunIty.<br />
he returned from the trIp<br />
energIzed By the content and excIted<br />
to share hIs experIences.<br />
thank you for supportIng the<br />
educatIon of our chILdren!<br />
”<br />
Right: The locally<br />
produced documentary<br />
in cooperation with the<br />
JCRC, “In the Shadow of<br />
the Acropolis”, has won<br />
two Telly Awards for<br />
outstanding achievement<br />
in film in the categories<br />
of education and<br />
history/biography.<br />
Cover art of the David Fishel Holocaust<br />
Remembrance Project Minnesota Survivor<br />
Family Kit<br />
The <strong>2009</strong> Holocaust Essay Contest<br />
winners pictured in front of the<br />
United States Holocaust Memorial<br />
Museum in Washington, D.C.<br />
Pictured from left to right: Brady Laurin<br />
from South Middle School in Grand Forks,<br />
ND, with his father, Randall Laurin; Sam<br />
Blustin from Robbinsdale Armstrong High<br />
School in Plymouth, MN, with his father,<br />
Sholly Blustin; and Olivia Wyatt from Buffalo<br />
<strong>Community</strong> Middle School in Buffalo, MN,<br />
with her teacher, Jan Heyerdahl.
toleRanCe Minnesota: HoloCaust eduCation<br />
educAting About the millions who perished And honoring the survivors of nAzi persecution by focusing on locAl survivor testimony.<br />
david fisHel HoloCaust ReMeMbRanCe PRoJeCt<br />
Minnesota suRvivoR faMilY Kits<br />
To ensure that Holocaust education continues and teachers, students and<br />
others have an interactive experience with a direct witness to the event,<br />
Tolerance Minnesota created Minnesota Survivor Family Kits in 2008. These<br />
interactive kits will be a valuable resource to teachers once the survivors are<br />
no longer able to visit the classroom. The kits take original Shoah tapes and<br />
weave the story using historical footage with contemporary meaning. They<br />
also include information about the life of a Holocaust survivor before, during<br />
and after the Holocaust. The survivors take students on a historical journey by<br />
providing their insight and testimony as it relates to their personal history, the<br />
Holocaust and the history of anti-Semitism in Minnesota. Minnesota Survivor<br />
Family Kits enable students to become historians by tracing and building a<br />
person’s life through primary resources and historic events. In addition, a<br />
curriculum is provided to teach the universal lessons of the Holocaust as a basis<br />
for critical thinking about their own lives and about the experiences of other<br />
people. This initiative is supported by the Aronson Family Foundation; the<br />
Esther Latarus fund; the Beverly Foundation; the Ackos Family fund; and the<br />
Conference on <strong>Jewish</strong> Material Claims against Germany.<br />
adoPt a suRvivoR<br />
Starting in Fall <strong>2009</strong>, Minneapolis Talmud Torah in conjunction with the<br />
JCRC and CHAIM (Children of Holocaust Survivors in Minnesota) will<br />
begin a new class in Holocaust studies. The class “Adopt A Survivor” will pair<br />
Talmud Torah Bet Midrash students with Holocaust survivors with the goal of<br />
having students learn about the survivor’s life and experiences as students study<br />
the Holocaust.<br />
u.s. HoloCaust MeMoRial MuseuM tRiP<br />
Since 1996, the JCRC’s annual trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum<br />
(USHMM) in Washington, D.C. has educated participants about the atrocities<br />
of the Holocaust. In <strong>2009</strong>, over 155 people were on the trip representing<br />
the Minneapolis Police Department, St. Cloud State University, Inver Hills<br />
<strong>Community</strong> College, Minneapolis South High School, Buffalo <strong>Community</strong><br />
Middle School, Central High School, City Academy, Shir Tikvah, South<br />
Middle School in Fargo, ND, Swanville High School, and Zumbrota Mazeppa<br />
School. Tolerance Minnesota conducts a Holocaust Essay Contest, which gives<br />
students in grades 6-12 the opportunity to reflect on the Holocaust in essay<br />
form and is cosponsored by the United <strong>Jewish</strong> Fund and <strong>Council</strong> of St. Paul;<br />
Dr. A.L. and Rose Greenberg fund; Gary Tankenoff Youth Against Prejudice<br />
Endowment Fund; the Kelen Family Foundation; and the Rhoda & Don<br />
Mains Youth Against Prejudice Endowment Fund. Grand prize winners of the<br />
contest receive a free trip to the USHMM with their teacher or parent.<br />
Students from St. Cloud<br />
State University Visit the<br />
United States Holocaust<br />
Memorial Museum<br />
In conjunction with Rabbi<br />
Joseph Edelheit, Director of<br />
Religious and <strong>Jewish</strong> Studies<br />
at St. Cloud State University,<br />
the JCRC led students to<br />
the museum in March, <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
HoloCaust CoMMunitY events<br />
Over 4,000 people were reached in our community events. In April, <strong>2009</strong>, the JCRC, CHAIM (Children of Holocaust Survivors Association in Minnesota),<br />
Beth El Synagogue, Minneapolis <strong>Jewish</strong> Federation, and the United <strong>Jewish</strong> Fund and <strong>Council</strong> of St. Paul cosponsored the 29th annual Yom HaShoah (Holocaust<br />
Remembrance Day) Commemoration at Beth El Synagogue. Over 750 community members, including Sen. Norm Coleman and other elected officials, gathered<br />
for a profoundly moving and inspirational evening.<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
8
sPeaKeRs buReau<br />
For over 40 years, JCRC has provided Holocaust speakers for schools and<br />
organizations throughout Minnesota. In <strong>2009</strong>, our speakers reached 3,500<br />
individuals. Most of the JCRC speakers are Holocaust survivors or the children<br />
of survivors who can give teachers, students and individuals first– and second–<br />
hand testimony about the Holocaust.<br />
The JCRC Speakers Bureau also places speakers to discuss Judaism, anti-<br />
Semitism and, works with Tolerance Minnesota’s <strong>Council</strong> of Advisors to reach<br />
Minnesota’s diverse and ever-changing communities.<br />
Tolerance Minnesota’s current <strong>Council</strong> of Advisors includes:<br />
9<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
• Organization of Chinese Americans<br />
• Japanese American Citizens League<br />
• Native Academy<br />
• Hmong Cultural Center, Inc.<br />
• La Oportunidad Inc.<br />
• Confederation of Somali <strong>Community</strong> in<br />
Minnesota<br />
• Minnesota AIDS project<br />
• India Association of Minnesota<br />
• Islamic Resource Group<br />
• African American Relief & Development<br />
Initiatives (ARADI)<br />
• Tibetan American Foundation Minnesota<br />
• Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota<br />
• Outfront Minnesota<br />
• Special Olympics Minnesota<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
fRom top to Bottom: 1. JCRC’s <strong>2009</strong> Annual Event: Audience members look on as<br />
WCCO-TV’s Don Shelby moderates a discussion between State Sen. Satveer Chaudhary,<br />
Gov. Al Quie, Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, and Rep. Keith<br />
Ellison; 2. JCRC’s <strong>2009</strong> Annual Event: Pictured left to right: Rabbi Joseph Edelheit,<br />
Director of Religious and <strong>Jewish</strong> Studies at St. Cloud State University; Reverend Peg<br />
Chemberlin, Executive Director of the Minnesota <strong>Council</strong> of Churches and President-Elect<br />
of the National <strong>Council</strong> of Churches; and Steve Hunegs, JCRC Executive Director;<br />
3. Iran Divestment Legislative Chief Sponsors Honored at JCRC’s <strong>2009</strong> Annual<br />
Event: Pictured from left to right: State Rep. Ryan Winkler, State Sen. Terri Bonoff, State<br />
Rep. Paul Kohls, and State Sen. Warren Limmer; 4. South Dakota Senator John Thune<br />
(center) receiving a copy of Israel’s Declaration of Independence from Sam Horowitz (left),<br />
Network Midwest Director at United <strong>Jewish</strong> Communities, and South Dakota JCRC board<br />
member Stephen Rosenthal (right) in August of 2008 in Sioux Falls;<br />
5. JCRC President Brian Kamin (pictured far left) meeting with members of<br />
the Minnesota Legislature: Pictured from left to right: Brian Kamin, State Rep. Frank<br />
Hornstein, State Sen. Sandra Pappas, State Rep. Tina Liebling, and State Rep. Steve Simon.<br />
4.<br />
5.
afteR 63 YeaRs JCRC Reunites HoloCaust suRvivoR and<br />
HeR ResCueR in Minnesota<br />
In September of 2008, the <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Relations</strong> <strong>Council</strong> of Minnesota<br />
and the Dakotas had the privilege of hosting the reunion between a Holocaust<br />
survivor and a member of the family that saved her 63 years ago. Traveling<br />
from Israel, Holocaust survivor Mia Lakmaker, was reunited with her rescuer,<br />
Wilma Stienstra (maiden name Woudstra), who currently resides in Lake<br />
Crystal, Minnesota. Many groups witnessed this reunion including students,<br />
teachers, and the community at large.<br />
In 1945, 13–year–old Wilma Woudstra’s heart broke when she lost her 5–year–<br />
old “sister.” Sixty three years later, Wilma and Mia held each other tightly at<br />
the international arrivals gate of the Minneapolis–St. Paul international airport.<br />
The two women are not biological sisters but the bond they created when they<br />
met in 1942 cannot be described any other way.<br />
Mia’s mother had dropped off her 2–year–old daughter under the cover of<br />
darkness at the doorstep of the Woudstra’s home in IJlst, a small town in the<br />
northern Netherlands. Wilma recalls a lot of commotion the night Mia arrived<br />
and in the morning she had a new sister, who was happy to be amongst other<br />
children. The relationship was fulfilling for both of them since Wilma had lost<br />
a younger sister one year prior. “Why [did] I feel so attached to Mia? … She<br />
was my girl, my baby,” recalled Wilma on WCCO-TV (September 11, 2008).<br />
Wilma, 11 at the time, took care of Mia, playing with her and fulfilling all the<br />
necessary motherly duties.<br />
Wilma’s father was a factory owner and the family lived comfortably before<br />
World War II. When Nazi forces invaded the Netherlands in 1940, Mr.<br />
Woudstra joined an underground network that helped <strong>Jewish</strong> people by hiding<br />
them from the Nazis. “We were a Christian family … [and] my father thought<br />
it was horrible that the Germans rounded up Jews. Just to kill people you<br />
don’t like…”, said Wilma (Pioneer Press, September 7, 2008). Risking their<br />
personal safety, the Woudstras first took in a <strong>Jewish</strong> couple and then Mia. The<br />
townspeople knew she was not biologically related to them but managed to<br />
keep the secret from the Nazis for years. Mia recalls hiding in a cupboard and<br />
having to be completely silent during a Nazi patrol.<br />
Wilma and Mia sharing their story<br />
with students in Neil Anderson’s<br />
social studies class at South High<br />
School in Minneapolis.<br />
Wilma Stienstra (left)<br />
and Mia Lakmaker<br />
(right) speaking at<br />
St. Paul Academy and<br />
Summit School.<br />
After the war ended, an aunt of Mia took her from Wilma’s family, hoping<br />
to reunite her with her parents. Unfortunately, Mia’s parents, both in their<br />
20s, were killed in the Nazi death camp in Sobibor, Poland. Shortly after<br />
this, Mia contracted tuberculosis and was abandoned by her aunt. Upon her<br />
recovery, some peace finally entered Mia’s life: she became a foster child to a<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> family and eventually moved to Israel where she married and had three<br />
children.<br />
Mia, 68, currently resides in Tel-Aviv and is a grandmother of seven. Looking<br />
at old pictures, she ran across a photo of herself and a large family, which<br />
was labeled with the Woudstra name and town. Mia began her search for<br />
the family that saved her in order to thank them. She contacted a Dutch<br />
TV station that ended up doing a story on her search. The story was seen by<br />
Wilma’s brothers, who put the two in touch by phone. “I was very happy to<br />
talk with her and to say to her how much I feel for her, and say thank you for<br />
all the things you did for me,” Lakmaker said.<br />
Their reunion was organized by the JCRC with support from Mindy and Dan<br />
Ribnick and in partnership with Northwest Airlines, which donated Mia’s<br />
airfare, and WCCO-TV, which originally broke the story. The pair visited<br />
St. Paul Academy and Summit School, the Minneapolis <strong>Jewish</strong> Day School,<br />
South High School in Minneapolis, and Bet Shalom Congregation to share<br />
their story. The reunion was covered by WCCO-TV (Search “Mia Lakmaker”<br />
on www.WCCO.com) and the Pioneer Press (archived).<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
10
JustiCe squaRed<br />
mobilizing the jewish community to combine sociAl justice AdvocAcy And<br />
community service to improve the lives of minnesotA’s children, youth, And fAmilies.<br />
Tikkun Olam - “Mending the world through social justice” is the philosophy<br />
which drives the work of Justice Squared. The Justice Squared name is inspired<br />
both by the directive in Deuteronomy 16:20, “Justice, justice shall you pursue”<br />
and by the two part mission of the program to combine opportunities for community<br />
service and advocacy.<br />
Justice Squared inspires thousands of volunteers of all ages to break down socioeconomic<br />
and cultural barriers; mentor and tutor youth; feed the hungry; and<br />
build and repair homes. By bringing a <strong>Jewish</strong> voice and perspective to today’s<br />
most challenging issues, Justice Squared’s social action work shapes public policy,<br />
protects civil rights and improves the quality of life for all citizens—especially<br />
new Americans. Justice Squared achieves these goals through the following<br />
programs: <strong>Community</strong> Works Immigrant Mentoring; Twin Cities <strong>Jewish</strong> Coalition<br />
for Literacy; Justice Squared Advocacy Commission; Interfaith Youth Leadership<br />
Coalition; and the <strong>Jewish</strong> / Muslim <strong>Community</strong> Dialogue and Exchange.<br />
inteRfaitH YoutH leadeRsHiP Coalition<br />
The Interfaith Youth Leadership Coalition, a program cosponsored by Justice<br />
Squared and the Saint Paul Area <strong>Council</strong> of Churches, is a youth-specific,<br />
youth-led space for young leaders (grades 8–12) of all religions in the Twin<br />
Cities area to explore what it means to live in a pluralistic world.<br />
Together they tackle justice and peace issues that face our community.<br />
Debbie Kuglin, Kids Connection Teacher,<br />
“<br />
Commenting on the work of a Justice Squared Literacy Tutor:<br />
susanne Is a gIft to the program. she came here havIng very LIttLe<br />
experIence wIth kIds and deveLoped a specIaL nIche for herseLf as the<br />
‘readIng Lady’. susanne Is thoughtfuL, refLectIve and kInd. she has<br />
aLready made a dIfference In one chILd’s LIfe By InspIrIng her to have dreams<br />
11<br />
for her future. thIs LIttLe gIrL came Back from readIng wIth susanne Last<br />
week wIth prIde In her eyes and excItement In her voIce Because she had<br />
read a whoLe Book wIth susanne. I have never seen thIs LIttLe gIrL<br />
get excIted aBout readIng!<br />
”<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
Ten to fifteen teens meet monthly to learn about each other’s religious and<br />
spiritual experiences, traditions, develop a sense of solidarity across religious<br />
and other dividing barriers, and work together on addressing social justice<br />
issues through service-learning and advocacy. This past year the group chose to<br />
focus programming on teen homelessness and literacy problems in Minnesota.<br />
The 4 th annual Interfaith Day of Service held on President’s Day, February 16,<br />
<strong>2009</strong>—planned by the Coalition members—brought together 200 youth and<br />
adult volunteers representing a variety of faiths including Protestant, Catholic,<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong>, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, Mormon, Agnostic, Non-religious, Buddhist,<br />
Evangelical, Shamanist, among others. The Interfaith Youth Leadership<br />
Coalition was recognized by the community and chosen as a recipient of<br />
Governor Tim Pawlenty’s <strong>Council</strong> on Faith and <strong>Community</strong> Service Best<br />
Practices Award.<br />
Interfaith Teen Dialogue<br />
Students from Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic Center conversing<br />
with students from Bet Shalom Congregation.<br />
opposite page:<br />
Justice Squared’s<br />
Global Day of<br />
Service: Pictured<br />
left to right: Rabbi<br />
David Locketz, Bet<br />
Shalom Congregation;<br />
Abdisalam Adam,<br />
Director of the Dar<br />
Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic<br />
Center; Rep. Keith<br />
Ellison; and Cara<br />
Fish, Justice Squared<br />
Program Coordinator,<br />
participating in the<br />
Global Day of Service<br />
on April 26, <strong>2009</strong>.
a Mn witHout PoveRtY and<br />
inteRfaitH dialogue<br />
This year Justice Squared dedicated resources to the<br />
anti-poverty campaign, A Minnesota Without Poverty,<br />
which is a statewide interfaith effort to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020. This<br />
agency was founded as a result of the bipartisan commission “The Legislative<br />
Commission to End Poverty”, which outlined in its report the actions necessary<br />
to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020. Once the Commission finished the report<br />
A Minnesota Without Poverty was created by the faith community to continue<br />
the work to end poverty in Minnesota. Other groups dedicated to this cause<br />
are: Minnesota <strong>Council</strong> of Churches, Minnesota Catholic Conference, Catholic<br />
Charities, Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, Lutheran Coalition for Public<br />
Policy, and the St. Paul Area Synod ELCA.<br />
Justice Squared continued its work with the Muslim community through the<br />
Bet Shalom / Dar Al-Hijrah community dialogue and service project. Over 70<br />
teens and adults from both congregations gathered six times to learn about each<br />
other’s religion, traditions, culture, and history, while at the same time learning<br />
about social justice issues in Minnesota and providing services to people in need.<br />
Activities included learning about Operation Solomon (rescue of Ethiopian<br />
Jews from Ethiopia to Israel in 1991) from Senator Rudy Boschwitz, as well as<br />
cleaning and helping at shelters during the Global Day of Service.<br />
2008-<strong>2009</strong> PRogRaM aCCoMPlisHMents:<br />
� 40 Literacy tutors worked 2-4 hours per week at 14 school and<br />
after–school programs throughout the Twin Cities;<br />
� 22 new mentors committed 2-6 hours per week with individuals and<br />
families from Mexico, Liberia, Laos, Somalia, and Cambodia;<br />
� 14 active Justice Squared Commission volunteers met once a month<br />
for 2 hours to review and discuss social justice policy, legislation and<br />
programming;<br />
� 12 Habitat for Humanity crew volunteers met every Friday to give over<br />
2,500 combined service hours for the year;<br />
� Donated over 300 jackets, sweaters, hats and mittens during our winter<br />
clothing drive to local clothing shelves;<br />
� Donated over 1,800 pounds of food to local food shelves;<br />
� 15 teens from across different faiths and backgrounds joined together to<br />
create the Interfaith Youth Leadership <strong>Council</strong> sponsored by the <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
<strong>Community</strong> <strong>Relations</strong> <strong>Council</strong> of Minnesota and the Dakotas and the<br />
Saint Paul Area <strong>Council</strong> of Churches;<br />
� Recruited over 250 volunteers for the Interfaith Teen Day of Service and<br />
the Global Day of Service to provide over 1,000 hours of community<br />
service;<br />
� 70 teens and adults from Bet Shalom Congregation and Dar Al-Hijrah<br />
Islamic Resource Center joined together for 6 dialogue and service events<br />
to provide over 850 combined service hours at local shelters and agencies;<br />
and<br />
� Justice Squared recruited over 650 volunteers for short and long term<br />
community service and advocacy programs to volunteer 3,600 combined<br />
hours serving over 2,800 people throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas.<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong> 12
Minnesota inteRfaitH<br />
daRfuR Coalition<br />
The Minnesota Interfaith Darfur Coalition (MIDC) was created by a<br />
collaboration of local synagogues, churches, human rights, and social justice<br />
organizations to help end the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.<br />
With hundreds of members, the Coalition has engaged in fundraising,<br />
consciousness-raising, and lobbying on behalf of the people of Darfur.<br />
MIDC events included: a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol Building in<br />
2008; a screening of a documentary about Darfur that aired on Twin Cities<br />
Public Television; a Human Rights Policy Conference at the law firm of Dorsey<br />
& Whitney; a community lecture featuring American <strong>Jewish</strong> World Service<br />
President Ruth Messinger; and a Day for Darfur at the Minnesota<br />
State Capitol in <strong>2009</strong>. The Minnesota Interfaith Darfur Coalition was<br />
founded by: Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Bet Shalom Congregation,<br />
Genocide Intervention Network of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota<br />
Human Rights Center, Minnesota <strong>Council</strong> of Churches, Temple Israel, and<br />
the JCRC.<br />
Rally for Darfur at the Minnesota State Capitol<br />
<strong>Community</strong> members gather to call attention to the genocide<br />
in Darfur on September 3, 2008.<br />
Right inset: Rabbi Sim Glaser of Temple Israel addressing<br />
community members at the Rally for Darfur.<br />
13<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
Rising leadeRs CounCil<br />
The JCRC’s Rising Leaders <strong>Council</strong> (RLC) is dedicated to continuing to build<br />
and expand the local <strong>Jewish</strong> community with a new group of rising <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
leaders through educational, social, cultural, and political affairs opportunities.<br />
The RLC aims to get young <strong>Jewish</strong> professionals connected, involved, and<br />
invested in the local <strong>Jewish</strong> community. More than 140 young professionals<br />
are members of the RLC.<br />
While only two years old, the RLC has held numerous successful events<br />
that have brought together young <strong>Jewish</strong> professionals to network with each<br />
other and to learn about issues pertinent to the local <strong>Jewish</strong> community.<br />
Representative Keith Ellison addressed members of the RLC about the<br />
importance of civic engagement in August of 2008.<br />
Israeli Consul General to the Midwest Visits Twin Cities<br />
Orli Gil, Israeli Consul General from Israel to the Midwest (pictured 3 rd from left), visits<br />
with community members to discuss business partnerships between Minnesota and Israel.<br />
Pictured in the front row from left to right: Consul General Orli Gil, Susan Shapiro, and<br />
Pastor Tim Burt. Pictured in the second row from left to right: Brian Elliott, Ed Rapoport,<br />
Cliff Greene, Amy Rotenberg, Brian Kamin, Alan Silver, Ilan Sharon, and Eric Black.
goveRnMent affaiRs PRogRaM<br />
connecting the jewish community to elected officiAls, Allies At united jewish communities, And<br />
minnesotA’s nonprofit community.<br />
Initiated in 2001, and generously funded by the Minneapolis <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
Federation and the United <strong>Jewish</strong> Fund and <strong>Council</strong> of Saint Paul, the<br />
Government Affairs Program represents the interests of the Twin Cities <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
community’s social service agencies and private schools before the federal,<br />
state and local governments.<br />
Since its inception, the Government Affairs Program has helped steer hundreds<br />
of millions of dollars in government funds to the community. The Government<br />
Affairs Program achieved several notable successes over the past year. These<br />
successes include securing the following new dollars for the community:<br />
$238,000 in federal funds for <strong>Jewish</strong> Family Service of Saint Paul’s NORC<br />
initiative, $298,000 in Ramsey County funds to defray construction costs<br />
for Sholom <strong>Community</strong> Alliance’s Shaller Family Sholom East Campus,<br />
and millions of dollars in stimulus funds for the Medicaid funded services<br />
provided by our agencies to vulnerable seniors. Working with our allies at<br />
the Minnesota <strong>Council</strong> of Nonprofits, the Government Affairs Program also<br />
passed legislation to protect the property tax exempt status of our community’s<br />
nonprofits and defeated legislation that would have required all recipients<br />
of public assistance, including children, to be finger printed as a condition<br />
of their receiving assistance. Finally, working closely with the staff at <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
Family & Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS), the Government Affairs<br />
Program was instrumental in retaining and expanding JFCS’ significant Basic<br />
Sliding Fee Childcare contract with Hennepin County.<br />
JCRC at tHe RnC<br />
During the Republican National Convention, the JCRC organized multiple<br />
bipartisan forums to actively inform members of the St. Paul and Minneapolis<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> communities about important issues surrounding the 2008 Presidential<br />
election. The JCRC worked closely with the American <strong>Jewish</strong> Committee<br />
(AJC) on a series of panel discussions. Additionally, the JCRC cosponsored a<br />
forum with the United <strong>Jewish</strong> Fund and <strong>Council</strong> of St. Paul, the Minneapolis<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> Federation, and AIPAC featuring nationally renowned political pundits<br />
opining about the 2008 Presidential election.<br />
Evening with Indian Ambassador Arun Singh<br />
Sponsored by the India Association of Minnesota & The Indus Entrepreneurs-MN in<br />
partnership with the JCRC. Pictured from left to right: Professor V.V. Chari, Manu Narayanan,<br />
Steve Hunegs, P.G. Narayanan, Shivanthi Sathanandan, Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher,<br />
Ambassador Arun Singh, Karthik Vishwanathan, State Sen. Tarryl Clark, Dinesh Wahi, Pradeep<br />
Gundavarapu, and Fazel Haris.<br />
JCRC Israeli<br />
Diplomatic<br />
Reception<br />
at the Home of<br />
Ruth Usem<br />
Right inset:<br />
Rep. Betty McCollum addressing the<br />
audience.<br />
Right: Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor<br />
(pictured left) meeting with<br />
Sen. Amy Klobuchar.<br />
JCRC Hosts 3 rd<br />
Congressional District<br />
Debate at Bet Shalom<br />
Congregation<br />
Pictured from left to right:<br />
Rep. Erik Paulsen, David<br />
Dillon, and Ashwin Madia.<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
14
finanCials Fiscal Year 2008 (September 1, 2007–August 31, 2008) *<br />
Revenue<br />
1. “Allocations” represent revenue from the Minneapolis <strong>Jewish</strong> Federation<br />
and the United <strong>Jewish</strong> and <strong>Council</strong> of St. Paul.<br />
2. “Foundations and Corporate” revenue includes ongoing use of several<br />
significant multi-year grants with money restricted for future years.<br />
16 15<br />
Allocations 1 493,572<br />
Individual Contributions 435,984<br />
Foundations and Corporate 2 73,491<br />
Fee for Service 116,275<br />
Investment (15,849)<br />
Total $ 1,103,473<br />
donoRs<br />
pleAse note:<br />
The institutional and individual<br />
donors listed on pages 15, 16,<br />
and 17 are, like the financials<br />
above, from fiscal year 2008<br />
(9/1/2007-8/31/2008).<br />
Please contact us at<br />
612-338-7816 if we have<br />
inadvertently omitted your<br />
name or made any other errors.<br />
thAnk You<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
$ 1,500,000<br />
$ 1,000,000<br />
$ 500,000<br />
$ (50,000)<br />
PLATINUM $100,000+<br />
McKnight Foundation<br />
Minneapolis <strong>Jewish</strong> Federation<br />
United <strong>Jewish</strong> Fund & <strong>Council</strong><br />
of St. Paul<br />
GOLD $25,000-$99,999<br />
Otto Bremer Foundation<br />
The Saint Paul Foundation<br />
REVENUE<br />
$ 1,103,473<br />
Allocations 45%<br />
Individual Contributions 40%<br />
Foundations and Corporate 6%<br />
Fee for Service 10%<br />
EXPENSES<br />
$ 1,166,246<br />
Investment -1% Program Services 85%<br />
Graphs not to scale.<br />
THANK YOU TO OUR INSTITUTIONAL DONORS<br />
SILVER $10,000-$24,999<br />
Caribou Coffee<br />
Compas / United Arts General Fund<br />
Kelen Family Foundation<br />
Tankenoff Families Foundation<br />
BRONZE $1000-$9,999<br />
Affiance Financial LLC<br />
Bassford Remele, PA<br />
Administrative 4%<br />
Fundraising 11%<br />
*Our fiscal year <strong>2009</strong> ends August 31, and it is not possible to have audited financials until later in the year.<br />
This report features program achievements from fiscal year <strong>2009</strong>, but the financials above reflect fiscal year 2008.<br />
Expenses<br />
Ralph and Charlotte Bearman<br />
Family Philanthropic Fund<br />
Fine Family Foundation<br />
Kaplan Family Foundation<br />
Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Co. LLP<br />
Marshall & Ilsley Bank<br />
Northwest Airlines<br />
Panim Institute<br />
RBC Dain Raucher Foundation<br />
Administrative 52,387<br />
Fundraising 122,973<br />
Program Services 3 990,886<br />
Total $1,166,246<br />
3. The JCRC Program Services include: Safeguarding Our <strong>Community</strong>, Stand<br />
Up for Israel!, Understanding the Arab–Israel Conflict: The Challenge of Peace,<br />
Tolerance Minnesota, Holocaust Education, Speakers Bureau, Justice Squared, and<br />
Twin Cities <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Community</strong> Government Affairs Program.<br />
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP<br />
St. Paul Area <strong>Council</strong> of Churches<br />
Thomson Reuters<br />
Travelers Arts & Diversity<br />
Committee<br />
US Trust<br />
Archie D. & Bertha H. Walker<br />
Foundation<br />
Holocaust Insurance Claims<br />
15
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE<br />
$5,000+<br />
Anonymous<br />
Robert & Bobbi Aronson<br />
Richard & Diane Cohen<br />
Richard & Dobra Hunegs<br />
Steve & Sheri Lear<br />
Stephen & Sheila Lieberman<br />
Gail & Steve Machov<br />
Edward & Jacki Paster<br />
Celia Paster<br />
Harold & Ruth Roitenberg<br />
Ruth Usem<br />
Laurence & Shirley Zipkin<br />
Colin & Wendy Smith<br />
Mark & Debbie Glotter<br />
Rhonda Stein & Stuart<br />
Goldenberg<br />
Herbert & Judy Goldenberg<br />
Bruce & Laurie Goldfarb<br />
Ilene Levin & Steve Goldfine<br />
Clifford & Kim Greene<br />
Pat & Tom Grossman<br />
Michael & Ann Hofkin<br />
Brian & Sandra Kamin<br />
Elliot & Eloise Kaplan<br />
Stefanie & Robert Karon<br />
James Jacobson & Andrea<br />
Kaufman<br />
Prof. Daniel & Carolyn<br />
Kleinberger<br />
Merrill & Gracia Kuller<br />
William & Sybil Lipschultz<br />
Donald & Rhoda Mains<br />
Gregory & Linda McEwen<br />
Todd Morgan<br />
Sandra Okinow<br />
Gary & Susan Rappaport<br />
Mark Robinow<br />
Steve Hunegs & Jenifer<br />
Robins<br />
Mitchell Rotenberg<br />
Adeel & Jeri Saad<br />
Karen Sachs<br />
Allen & Linda Saeks<br />
James & Van Sanders<br />
Tom & Sheva Sanders<br />
Janet Sassone<br />
Polly & Michael Saxon<br />
Nancy & Steven Schachtman<br />
Frank Schochet<br />
Michelle & Steven Shaller<br />
Rossy & Richard Shaller<br />
Susan & Neal Shapiro<br />
Alan & Janny Silver<br />
THANK YOU<br />
TO OUR<br />
INDIVIDUAL<br />
DONORS<br />
BENEFACTOR<br />
$1,000-$4,999<br />
Sally & Michael Abrams<br />
Edward Adams<br />
Elliot & Marlys Badzin<br />
Steven & Wendy Baldinger<br />
Stan & Amy Baratz<br />
Larry Barenbaum<br />
Fred & Judith Baron<br />
Robert & Linda Barrows<br />
Michael & Etta Barry<br />
Frank & Toby Berman<br />
Lyle & Jan Berman<br />
Abigail Rose & Michael Blum<br />
Barbara Braman<br />
Holly & Jon Brod Farber<br />
Mitchel & Susan Chargo<br />
Marty Chester & Haley<br />
Schaffer<br />
Elaine & Gary Dachis<br />
Kelly Doran<br />
Kenneth & Donna Engel<br />
Sara Sternberger &<br />
Dr. Howard Epstein<br />
Ronald Fingerhut<br />
Ken & Nicole Fink Rep. Stephen Simon<br />
Richard & Beverly Fink Dede & David Smith<br />
Mike & Linda Fiterman Sherry Stern & Steven<br />
Terry & Sheldon Fleck Snyder<br />
Rebecca Glass<br />
William Toles<br />
Robert Glimcher Frank & Carol Trestman<br />
Deera Tychman Barbara Ratner Raymond Lazar Martin & Bonnie Bush Senator Ron Latz & Julia<br />
Joel & Sharon Waller Louise & Jerry Ribnick Sheila Field & Harold Sheldon & Lili Chester Shmidov Latz<br />
Norm & Sally Winer Stanford & Jo Ellen Robins Levinger<br />
William & Peggy Cohn Karee & Bradley Lehrman<br />
Katherine Wodtke Dan & Jodi Rosen Alan Linoff<br />
David Dillon<br />
Jimmy & Stephanie Levine<br />
SPONSOR<br />
$500-$999<br />
Anonymous<br />
David Wark & Mary Ann<br />
Barrows Wark<br />
Herman Birnberg<br />
Meyer Bolnick<br />
Ken Brooks<br />
David & Julie Burton<br />
Judith & Rodney Cooperman<br />
Sen. Mark Dayton<br />
Jeri D’Lugin<br />
Susan & Leonard Druskin<br />
Daniel Lieberman & Suzanne<br />
Fenton<br />
Nancy Goldstein & Philip<br />
Geller<br />
Lawrence & Lois Gibson<br />
Deb Oberman & Mark<br />
Gittleman<br />
Sherman & Mimi Gleekel<br />
Paula Goldberg<br />
William & Susan Goldenberg<br />
Jeff & Melanie Goldetsky<br />
Ellen & Adam Greenfield<br />
Alene R. Grossman<br />
Amos Heilicher<br />
Lynn Herbert<br />
Marvin Ingber<br />
Allen & Sharon Kaufmann<br />
Howard & Elaine Kuretsky<br />
Lisa & Randy Lane<br />
Bruce & Amy Langer<br />
Sheldon & Delores Levin<br />
John Levy<br />
Susan Lieberman<br />
Brian and Sari Lipschultz<br />
Andrew Luger & Ellen<br />
Goldberg Luger<br />
Mike Miller<br />
Jeff Oberman & Katherine<br />
Conner<br />
David & Jill Orbuch<br />
Ken Rafowitz<br />
Steve Roth<br />
Myron Frans & Susan Segal<br />
Dr. Jeffrey & Cari Shaw<br />
Carol Sarnat & Rick<br />
Siedband<br />
Dr. Richard & Diane<br />
Smookler<br />
Joni & Peter Sussman<br />
James & Paula Tankenoff<br />
Harold Lieberman & Rebecca<br />
Teitel<br />
Alan & Gloria Weinblatt<br />
Blair & Fremajane Wolfson<br />
Susan & Paul Yellin<br />
Ronald & Lynn Zamansky<br />
Jill Zipkin<br />
PATRON<br />
$250-$499<br />
Rev. Grant Abbott<br />
Arnold Aberman<br />
Jeff & Amy Alch<br />
Robert & Sharon Ansel<br />
Semyon & Lydia Axelrod<br />
Constance Berde<br />
Stuart & Carolyn Bloom<br />
Steven Carlson<br />
Dr. Robert & Susan Diamond<br />
Neil Feinberg<br />
David Feinberg<br />
Brad & Lori Fritz<br />
Jean & William Gjetson<br />
Lynn & Alan Goldbloom<br />
Harry & Rivoli Golden<br />
Beverly Goldfine<br />
David Gotlieb<br />
Joyce & Jeff Greene<br />
William & Jane Greene<br />
Consul General Rolf W.<br />
Hansen<br />
Bonnie & Steve Heller<br />
Andy & Carolyn Johnson<br />
Jill & Brad Johnson<br />
Sen. Terri Bonoff & Matthew<br />
Knopf<br />
William & Patricia Lisberg Dr. Alan & Susan Divine S. Brian Lipschultz<br />
Jeanette Litman Jodi Elowitz<br />
Kris & John MacDonald<br />
Gil & Debra Mann Deborah Evans Seymour & Susan Mansfield<br />
Robert & Mary Sue Mersky Corrine & Thomas Feinberg Amos Rosenbloom & Marsha<br />
Joyce Meuler<br />
Harold & Joyce Field McDonald<br />
Frances & Mark Paper Charles & Victoria Fodor Caron Rubin & Marc<br />
Ellen Sue & Jonathan Parker Willis Forman<br />
Meirovitz<br />
Ann & Felix Phillips Paula & Norm Fox Lawrence & Mitzi Mulmed<br />
Ed & Anne-Monique Daniel Witt Fram Charles Nauen<br />
Rapoport<br />
Sally & Gerald Friedell Bobby & Bruce Nemer<br />
Nancy & Kevin Rhein Richard & Raleigh Fromstein Joan & Richard Newmark<br />
Robert & Doris Rose Dr. Howard & Heidi Gilbert M. M. Olson<br />
Phil & Tammie Rosenbloom Terry Gips<br />
Etta Fay Orkin<br />
Russ & Karen Rubin Kent Simon & Karen Dr. Hy & Sheila Paisner<br />
Rochelle Rubin & Scott Gjerstad<br />
Lawrence & Linda Perlman<br />
Rutzick<br />
Miriam & Marvin Goldberg Marvin Pertzik<br />
David & Mimi Sanders Rachel Goldenberg Marissa Pines<br />
Stanley Schweitzer Diane Goldman Richard Pins<br />
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein Karen & Fred Gordon Renee & Michael Popkin<br />
Joanne & Michael Silverman William & Julie Gotlieb Kevin & Merit Raff<br />
Richard & Judith Spiegel Jason & Jacy Grais Andrew Rapoport<br />
Dori & Gary Weinstein Nancy & Rick Grobovsky Boyd Ratchye<br />
Howard & Gloria Weisskopf Steven H. Barrows Rev. Gary Reierson<br />
Ardis & Tom Wexler Phyllis & Howard Harris Kathy Robins<br />
Robert & Nancy Hartman Bob & Wendy Rubinyi<br />
FRIEND<br />
$100-$249 Christine & Seth Hausman Sandra & James Rutzick<br />
David & Joyce Abramson Elissa Heilicher Morton & Rosemarie Ryweck<br />
Carolyn Abramson Joel Mirviss & Danna Fannie Schanfield<br />
Sandra Alch<br />
Heilicher Mirviss Stuart Bear & Marsha<br />
Sharon Benmaman & John Ann Rockler Jackson & Schoenkin<br />
Allen<br />
Robert Jackson Dr. Burton & Sharon<br />
Dr. Howard Ansel Scott Johnson<br />
Schwartz<br />
Gail Asher<br />
Dr. Harold & Ruth Kaiser Yoav & Rosalyn Segal<br />
Mark Dillon & Susan Austrian Donna & Michael Kaplan Charles & Yvonne Selcer<br />
Dr. Lauren Baker & Eric Robert & Jane Ketroser Ronald & Judith Shapiro<br />
Black<br />
Mitchell Gordon & Karen Ilan & Cindy Sharon<br />
Jay Baldinger<br />
Kiener<br />
Edward Silberman<br />
Charles & Sally Bans Ted & Linda Kleiman Charles & Anna Silverman<br />
Fran & David Bayer Julie & Marc Kozberg Norman Greenberg & Beth<br />
Dr. Alan & Carol Bensman Rabbi Harold Kravitz Silverwater<br />
Dr. Hyman Berman Abbey Kuller<br />
Michael Siskin<br />
Dr. Gary & Bonnie Birnbaum Judy & Harold Kuller Henry & Janice Snyder<br />
Gene & Jane Borochoff James & Robin Lackner Peter & Sue Stein<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong> 16
Tim Thornton<br />
Joel & Gail Tilsner<br />
Jeffrey & Stacie Usem<br />
Richard Kelber & Sharon<br />
Van Dyck<br />
Mimi Villaume<br />
Susan Gray & Dr. Paul Waytz<br />
Lindsay Nauen & Richard<br />
Weil<br />
Marilyn, Martin, and Scott<br />
Weisberg<br />
Sol & Sybil Wezelman<br />
Joy Wezelman<br />
Susan & Rob White<br />
Seymour & Sybil Wilensky<br />
THANK YOU<br />
TO OUR<br />
INDIVIDUAL<br />
DONORS<br />
17<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
William Blauvelt<br />
Michael & Susan Blehert<br />
Neil & Judy Blumberg<br />
Harlan & Peggy Blumenthal<br />
Deborah Boehm<br />
Joann Boeyink<br />
Harry & Sue Bojman<br />
Gary Goldish & Bonnie<br />
Bongard Goldish<br />
Steve & Gail Brand<br />
Dr. Paul Slaton & Suzanne<br />
Brandson<br />
Judith & Arnold Brier<br />
Julie & Karl Brusen<br />
Elaine & Ron Burton<br />
Lorraine & Larry Winnerman Barbara Butcher<br />
Peter & Judy Wolf Helen Chargo<br />
Barry Wolfish<br />
Myra Chazin<br />
Shelley & Kenneth Zucker Stuart Chazin<br />
Philip Oxman & Harvey Rabbi Norman Cohen<br />
Zuckman<br />
Sabina & Andrew Cohen<br />
DOUBLE CHAI<br />
$36-$99<br />
Alvin & Bonnie Abrahamson<br />
Jack & Joan Abrahamson<br />
Jay & Lucille Abramovitz<br />
David & Betsy Abramson<br />
Darrell & Loni Ansel<br />
Yaffa Cohen-Appelbaum &<br />
Mark Appelbaum<br />
Stuart & Jean King<br />
Appelbaum<br />
Barbara Bach<br />
George & Barbara Barany<br />
Lee & Barbara Bearmon<br />
Dr. Jerome & Emily Beker<br />
Dr. Howard Fink & Stephanie<br />
Bell<br />
Edwin & Carolyn Bell<br />
Mark Satz & Gail Bender<br />
Satz<br />
Michael & Judith Berman<br />
Charlotte & Richard Berman<br />
Alan & Elisa Bernick<br />
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Abbe Blacker<br />
Maddy & Yosef Cohen<br />
Laura Cohen<br />
Robert Edelstein & Mary<br />
Crowley<br />
Karen & Morris Davidman<br />
Beatrice Davis<br />
Maxine Davis<br />
Anne & Stephan Devitt<br />
Vladimir & Galina Dreytser<br />
Cynthia Dubansky<br />
R. Elaine DuFresne<br />
Robert & Jill Edelstein<br />
Deborah Eisenstadt<br />
Marvin & Marilyn Engle<br />
Mark & Carol Epstein<br />
Rabbi Avraham & Linda<br />
Brody Ettedgui<br />
Christine Eyal<br />
Robert & Vivian Ezrilov<br />
Ruth F. Brin<br />
Toby Feiges<br />
Eleanor & Stanley Field<br />
Wendy & Gary Fine<br />
Elizabeth Fine<br />
Dr. Robert & Linda Fisher<br />
Barb & Andy Fishman<br />
James & Karen Forman<br />
Margo & David Fox<br />
William & Jane Fox<br />
Allison Frailich<br />
Neal & Barbara Frank<br />
Rachael Freed<br />
Michael & Diane Frichol<br />
Charles Frisch<br />
Micah & Michal Garber<br />
Sherman & Lorraine Garon<br />
Marlene Garvis<br />
Hilde Gasiorowicz<br />
David & Sharon Gelperin<br />
Abigail & Jonathan Gewirtz<br />
Philip & Sheril Gilberstadt<br />
Helen Rubenstein & Sam<br />
Gilliam<br />
Howard Kahn & Zelia<br />
Goldberg<br />
Dr. Stanley & Luella<br />
Goldberg<br />
Zelia Goldberg<br />
Diane & Louis Goldenberg<br />
Celia Goldetsky<br />
Allen & Katherine Goldman<br />
Susan & Arnold Goldman<br />
Jules & Janice Goldstein<br />
Richard & Barbara Goldstein<br />
Hilda & Edmund Gottlieb<br />
Marvin & Nancy Greenberg<br />
Bayle Greenberg<br />
Paul & Debra Greenblatt<br />
Ida & Gary Greenfield<br />
Arlis & Erwin Grossman<br />
Barbara Grossman<br />
Dr. Steven & Carol Gurstelle<br />
Arlene Harris<br />
Whitney Harris<br />
Robert Hartman<br />
Jerry & Jenny Helfand<br />
Laurie Curtis & Alan Hirsch<br />
Dr. A. Kent Rissman & Linda<br />
Hulbert<br />
Dr. Milton & Eunice Hurwitz<br />
Judith Brin Ingber & Jerome<br />
Ingber<br />
Jeffrey & Orlee Kahn Ned Litin<br />
Rep. Phyllis & Donald Kahn Rabbi David Locketz<br />
Rabbi Robert Kahn Dan & Marsha Loewenson<br />
Bruce Kahn<br />
Sally Lorberbaum<br />
Richard Kahn Dr. Melvin & Mary Magidson<br />
Evelyn & Melvin Kamin Gerri & Stan Maisel<br />
Marc Roth & Ann Kaner-Roth Barbara Malzacher<br />
Susanne & Martin Kanter Gerald & Dee Mann<br />
Claudia Kanter Marcia & Philip Marcus<br />
Suzanne & Harvey Kaplan Ellyn & Michael Marell<br />
William Kaplan Sandra & Joseph Marin<br />
Shirley Kaplan Aaron & Phyllis Mark<br />
Dr. Everett & Norene Karon Marilyn Marker<br />
Ethel Katz<br />
Yedda Marks<br />
Alvin & Audrey Kaufman Jill Ann Marks<br />
Timothy Keane Sandra & David Marrinson<br />
Laurence Kivens Richard McNeil<br />
Daniel & Nancy Klausner Pamela Stein Meyers<br />
Marion & E. Gary Klein Dina & Igor Mikhailenko<br />
Saralyn Klein<br />
Mildred Miller<br />
Richard Kleinbaum Ronald Miller<br />
Eric & Karla Klinger Jacob Millner<br />
Carrie Krawetz Mervyn Mindess<br />
Dorothy Krawetz Marshall & Deborah Mintz<br />
E. Leah Krawetz Heidi Schneider & Joel<br />
Robert Krishef<br />
Mintzer<br />
Mayer Krupp<br />
Michelle Morris<br />
Lewis & Muriel Lachter Martin & Barbara Munic<br />
Robert Latz<br />
Susan & Charles Muscoplat<br />
Ardyce Lebewitz Mort & Micki Naiman<br />
Michael Davis & Jodi Leslie & Nancy Novak<br />
Lebewitz-Davis Irving & Charlotte Nudell<br />
Joy & Bob Leibman Nancy Fushan & David Olson<br />
Dr. Gloria & Arthur Leon Michael & Carol Orren<br />
Joan & Alan Levey Marjorie & Ralph<br />
Allan Baumgarten & Marilyn Papermaster<br />
Levi-Baumgarten Eric & JoAnn Pasternack<br />
Albert & Jeanne Levin Esther Patterson<br />
Jules & Rose Levin Bruce & Lisa Peilen<br />
Stephen & Rita Levin Beth & H. Jonathan Perlman<br />
Jeremy Levitt<br />
Amy Perloff<br />
Dr. Sheldon Berkowitz & Linda & Robert Perry<br />
Carolyn Levy J. Harvey & Jean Phillips<br />
Ivan & Mary Levy Barbara Grossman & Jeff<br />
Rhoda & Tom Lewin Prauer<br />
Michael & Rachel Lewine<br />
Tom Lipschultz<br />
Jim & Nancy Proman<br />
Stanley & Marilyn Rakieten<br />
Avrom & Nancy Robinow<br />
Leonard Robins<br />
Tamara & Michael Root<br />
Elaine & Richard Rosen<br />
Esther Rosen<br />
Barbara & David Rosenberg<br />
Robert Rosenberg<br />
Paula & Paula Rosenfield<br />
Carol & Stephen Rosenthal<br />
Stewart Rosoff<br />
Robert Rubenstein<br />
Dorothy Saltzman<br />
Susan Sanger<br />
Karen & Paul Schanfield<br />
Dr. Eric & Nancy Schned<br />
Stephen & Penny Schumacher<br />
Stephen & Sharon Segal<br />
Shelley Segal<br />
Miriam Segall<br />
Lauren & Martin Segelbaum<br />
Ross Shaich<br />
Carol & Alan Shapiro<br />
Rabbi Max A. Shapiro<br />
Jim & Estie Sherman<br />
Edwin & Doris Sherman<br />
Bruce Shine<br />
Paul Slayton<br />
Dr. James & Joanne Smith<br />
Jane & Gary Smith<br />
Bertha Smith<br />
Edith Smith<br />
Betty Smithberg<br />
Herman Snyder<br />
Kaye & Mitchell Spector<br />
Jeffery & Jeanne Stein<br />
Hilarie Stein<br />
Jane Stein Kerr<br />
Oren & Sharron Steinfeldt<br />
Jane Sternberg<br />
David & Cathryn Sussman<br />
Anthony Sussman<br />
Gerald Swarsensky<br />
Steve & Harriet Swartz<br />
Helen & Donald Swartz<br />
Katherine & Jeffrey Tane<br />
Marcia Taple<br />
Howard & Janet Tarkow<br />
Bruce & Judith Tennebaum<br />
David & Linda Therkelsen<br />
Ryvelle & William Tilsner<br />
Elliot Trach<br />
Sharon Traub<br />
Alexander & Takako<br />
Truskinovsky<br />
Roslye Ultan<br />
Val & Ludmila Vinnik<br />
Maureen Kucera-Walsh &<br />
Michael Walsh<br />
Suzanne Wasilczuk<br />
Susan Watchman<br />
Lee & Esther Wattenberg<br />
Barbara Weingarden<br />
Sanford & Carol Weisberg<br />
Dr. Irwin & Margery Weisman<br />
Dr. Herbert & Doris Weisman<br />
Robert Weisman<br />
Elaine & William White<br />
Alan & Connie Wilensky<br />
Sonia & Steve Winthrop<br />
Shirley & Harold Witkin<br />
Cathy & David Wogen<br />
Helen Wolk<br />
Joseph Wolkowicz<br />
Edward & Jane Zeman<br />
Rep. Frank Hornstein &<br />
Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman<br />
Shirley Zimmerman<br />
Sara & Boris Zuk<br />
Bruce & Ilene Zwick<br />
The institutional and<br />
individual donors<br />
listed on pages 15,<br />
16, and 17 are from<br />
fiscal year 2008.<br />
Please contact us at<br />
612-338-7816 if we have<br />
inadvertently omitted<br />
your name or made any<br />
other errors. Thank You.
ouR stoRy<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> participation in public affairs in Minnesota and the Dakotas dates back<br />
more than 150 years to the pioneer days of the upper Midwest. Yet, to borrow<br />
a title from a Herman Wouk novel, the Jews of the three states were both<br />
inside and outside the life of their communities. In 1947, the National <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
Welfare Board published a list of hundreds of <strong>Jewish</strong> men from Rochester,<br />
MN, to Dickinson, ND, to Aberdeen, SD, who were killed or wounded in action<br />
and/or decorated for their valor in performing their patriotic duty during<br />
World War II. Yet, degrees of exclusion were often the norm: there were many<br />
employers who would not hire Jews; there were many communities where<br />
Jews could not live; and there were even restaurants that would not serve Jews.<br />
The African-American and Japanese-American communities also faced similar<br />
conditions. From this background of bigotry and discrimination—with its<br />
intermittent threat of physical danger—the predecessor organization of the<br />
JCRC was created in 1939—making it one of the oldest community relations<br />
councils in the country. The JCRC participated in the great transformation of<br />
attitudes towards the <strong>Jewish</strong> and minority communities following 1945. One<br />
of the highlights of this “emancipation” was the passage in Minneapolis of<br />
one of the first open housing and fair employment practices ordinances in the<br />
country in the late 1940’s, the principles of which were embodied in the Civil<br />
Rights Act of 1964. Advocacy for Israel also became critically important work<br />
for the JCRC after creation of the <strong>Jewish</strong> state in 1948 as did advocacy for<br />
Soviet Jews in the late 1960s and 1970s.<br />
JCRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2008–<strong>2009</strong><br />
offiCeRs<br />
Brian Kamin, President*<br />
Cliff Greene, Vice President*<br />
Jim Jacobson, Vice President*<br />
Lisa Lane, Treasurer*<br />
Alene R. Grossman, Secretary*<br />
Alan Silver, Immediate Past President*<br />
Mort Ryweck, Executive Director<br />
Emeritus<br />
boaRd MeMbeRs<br />
Jeff Alch<br />
Robert Aronson<br />
Semyon Axelrod<br />
Jon Brod Farber<br />
David Burton<br />
Mitch Chargo<br />
Marty Chester*<br />
Dr. Alan Divine<br />
Charles Fodor<br />
Richard Fromstein*<br />
Larry Gibson<br />
Terry Gips<br />
Rebecca Glass<br />
Ellen Glatstein<br />
Mark Glotter<br />
Today, the JCRC is the primary agency tasked with fighting anti-Semitism,<br />
promoting tolerance and building bridges across racial, religious, economic,<br />
political and geographic lines. The JCRC works closely with elected and<br />
government officials at all levels to promote the principles of tikkun olam,<br />
to advocate for close U.S.-Israel relations and to provide greater support for<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> social service agencies. In recent years, the JCRC has taken on a crucial<br />
security role in the <strong>Jewish</strong> community, providing timely guidance on <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
communal matters, building relationships with key law enforcement agencies<br />
and coordinating community response to hate crimes.<br />
The JCRC programs and volunteers are interwoven throughout the <strong>Jewish</strong> and<br />
general communities, bringing the message of tolerance, respect and tikkun<br />
olam across the Upper Midwest. The JCRC also works closely with coalition<br />
partners to increase public awareness and advocate for progress on social justice<br />
issues such as housing, hunger, child welfare and civil rights.<br />
Along with the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the Minnesota <strong>Council</strong><br />
of Churches, the JCRC is a founding member of the Joint Religious Legislative<br />
Coalition (JRLC), a collaborative advocacy effort to promote social justice<br />
issues at the state legislature. We are also proud of the strong community<br />
collaborations the JCRC currently has with St. Paul Area <strong>Council</strong> of Churches,<br />
Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic Center, Metropolitan Interfaith Coalition on<br />
Affordable Housing (MICAH), and the Greater Minneapolis <strong>Council</strong> of<br />
Churches Minnesota FoodShare program.<br />
Jeff Goldetsky<br />
Bruce Goldfarb<br />
Nancy Goldstein<br />
Mitch Gordon<br />
Bill Gotlieb<br />
Joyce Greene<br />
Harlan Jacobs<br />
Ted Kleiman<br />
Daniel Kleinberger<br />
Lou Lachter<br />
Steve Lear*<br />
Ilene Levin<br />
Joe Lifland<br />
Brian Lipschultz<br />
Sally Lorberbaum<br />
Jeff Oberman<br />
Richard Pins<br />
Ed Rapoport*<br />
Dan Rosen<br />
Stephen Rosenthal<br />
Carol Rosenthal<br />
Bob Rubinyi<br />
Mort Ryweck<br />
Karen Sachs<br />
Allen Saeks<br />
Steve Schumacher<br />
Susan Shapiro*<br />
Ilan Sharon<br />
Kent Simon<br />
Alan Weinblatt<br />
* JCRC executive<br />
committee member<br />
JCRC Annual Report <strong>2009</strong><br />
18
“<br />
I wAs honoRed to shARe In the Yom hAshoAh seRvIce<br />
At Beth-el. It wAs extRemelY movIng, even to the<br />
poInt of teARs. thIs seRvIce Is A tReAsuRe foR All of us.<br />
whetheR we ARe Jews oR not, whetheR we ARe RelAted<br />
to vIctIms oR suRvIvoRs oR not.<br />
the seRvIce Asks thRee ImpoRtAnt questIons foR me:<br />
how cAn such A thIng hAppen? how do You suRvIve<br />
such An expeRIence? And how cAn we stop It fRom<br />
hAppenIng, even wIth less hoRRIfIc consequences,<br />
oveR And oveR AgAIn In humAn hIstoRY?<br />
”<br />
–The Rev. Grant Abbott,<br />
Executive Director of the<br />
St. Paul Area <strong>Council</strong> of Churches<br />
“<br />
the Yom hAshoAh commemoRAtIon At Beth el<br />
sYnAgogue wAs A poweRful And movIng RememBRAnce<br />
occAsIon, As AlwAYs. As A chRIstIAn mInIsteR And<br />
colleAgue of the JcRc I cAme to mouRn, to gIve<br />
wItness, to AffIRm lIfe, to stAnd In solIdARItY wIth<br />
the JewIsh communItY, And<br />
”<br />
to JoIn In sAYIng, ‘neveR AgAIn!’<br />
–The Rev. Dr. Gary Reierson,<br />
President of the Greater Minneapolis <strong>Council</strong> of Churches<br />
The <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Relations</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Of Minnesota and the Dakotas<br />
12 North 12th Street, Suite 480<br />
Minneapolis, MN 55403<br />
P: 612-338-7816 • F: 612-349-6569<br />
www.MinnDakJCRC.org<br />
JCRC STAFF 2008–<strong>2009</strong><br />
Steve Hunegs, Executive Director<br />
Susan Lieberman, Director of Development<br />
Jacob Millner, Director of Public Affairs<br />
Ethan Roberts, Director of the Twin Cities <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
<strong>Community</strong> Government Affairs Program<br />
Seth Skora, Director of Justice Squared<br />
Ruth Solom, Office Manager<br />
Anthony Sussman, Director of Communications<br />
and <strong>Community</strong> Security<br />
Laura Zelle, Director of Tolerance Minnesota<br />
Special Thanks to Susan Lieberman, Anthony Sussman<br />
and Emir Beganovic for their hard work on this report.<br />
Yom HaShoah Commemoration <strong>2009</strong><br />
Local Holocaust survivors gather at Beth El Synagogue in<br />
St. Louis Park to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day.<br />
PaRt-tiMe staff<br />
Emir Beganovic, Annual Event and<br />
Annual Report Coordinator<br />
Holly Brod Farber, Director of the JCRC Speakers Bureau<br />
Claire Buchwald, Tolerance Minnesota and<br />
Holocaust Education<br />
Cheree Cannon, Assistant to the Executive Director<br />
Cara Fish, Justice Squared Program Coordinator<br />
Susie Greenberg, Tolerance Minnesota<br />
Color Project Coordinator<br />
suMMeR inteRns<br />
Sam Lane and Josh Parish