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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 />

Beth & Steve Birke<br />

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

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