2009 AnnuAl RepoRt - Jewish Community Relations Council ...

Jewish Community Relations CounCil of minnesota and the dakotas 

2009 AnnuAl RepoRt 

JCRC Reunites HoloCaust suRvivoR and HeR ResCueR afteR 63 YeaRs (Page 10)

A Clear Voice • A Strong Advocate • A Dedicated Agency 

1 

JCRC Annual Report 2009 

Committed to protecting Jewish interests and promoting Jewish values. 

The JCRC is the public affairs voice of the Jewish community. 

Since 1939, one voice has spoken with strength and clarity to Jewish 

perspective and understanding to elected officials, the media and 

other religious, racial and ethnic groups: the Jewish Community 

Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC). 

tHe JCRC Mission 

As the public affairs voice of the Jewish community, 

the JCRC is committed to protecting Jewish interests 

and promoting Jewish ideals by: 

• Protecting and promoting the Jewish community’s interest in the 

general population; 

• Educating and mobilizing the Jewish community for advocacy; 

• Serving as the central public affairs arm of the Jewish community to 

elected officials, the media, government agencies and other religious 

and ethnic groups; and 

• Representing Jews, individually and collectively, here and abroad. 

The JCRC is a unique, local agency committed to: advocating for 

Israel, fighting anti-Semitism, community service, social action 

advocacy, Holocaust education, and safeguarding religious freedom. 

table of Contents 

Mission and Overview 

Leadership Message 

Program Highlights 

Financials 

Donors 

Our Story 

The JCRC is a beneficiary agency of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and the United Jewish Fund and Council of St. Paul and 

is supported by the Bismarck, Duluth, Fargo, Grand Forks, Rochester, St. Cloud and Sioux Falls Jewish communities. 

1 

2 

3–14 

15 

15–17 

18 

The JCRC thanks the Otto Bremer Foundation 

for making this annual report possible. 

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 

Executive Director 

The Jewish community in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South 

Dakota has a long and rich history that has seen good times and difficult 

times. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the 

Dakotas (JCRC) was founded in 1939 at a time when the region was known as 

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 

characteristic of the Jewish community that is as true now as it was in 1939; the Jewish community does not exist in isolation, rather it is part of a greater 

community comprised of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. An essential characteristic of the JCRC is the service of organizing/building/nurturing our 

Jewish community’s relationships with the much larger non-Jewish community in which we are all inextricably connected. 

Steve Hunegs 


Brian Kamin 

President 

Steve Hunegs 


There is no other agency which has as its core mission the establishment and cultivation of relationships with the greater, non-Jewish community. The JCRC is the 

only agency serving as the central public affairs voice of the Jewish community to elected officials, the media, government agencies and other religious and ethnic 

groups. For example, in May of 2009 alone, the JCRC participated in a bill signing ceremony with Gov. Pawlenty for Iran divestment legislation; led our ongoing 

community meeting with Rep. Keith Ellison regarding the United States-Israel relationship; worked to organize a trip to Israel with Rep. Erik Paulsen; and 

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 Jewish 

women of Ashkenazi descent are particularly vulnerable). 

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 

demonstrate our commitment and efforts to enrich and strengthen the Jewish community, whether by honoring victims of the Holocaust while educating a 

younger generation; providing resources to local school districts for teaching racial tolerance and the Arab-Israeli conflict; or working across religious and ethnic 

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 

communication system in June of 2009 to notify the community about the shooting at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 

None of these programs would be possible without the efforts of our outstanding JCRC staff; our dedicated officers, executive committee and board of directors; 

volunteers; interfaith friends from diverse communities; law enforcement and invaluable support from our Jewish communal organizations, foundations and 

individual contributors. The JCRC thanks you deeply for your support. 

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in 

Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

Brian Kamin 

President 

Trade Mission to Israel 

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, center, addressing 

media before departing for his trade 

mission to Israel facilitated by the JCRC, 

the Consulate General of Israel to the 

Midwest, and community member Andrew 

Parker. Also pictured are Ed Dieter, deputy 

director of the Minnesota Trade Office (left) 

and Brian Kamin, president of the Jewish 

Community Relations Council 

of Minnesota and the Dakotas. 

(MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire) 

JCRC Annual Report 2009 2

stand uP foR isRael! 

AdvocAting for peAce And security in isrAel through educAtion, informAtion And community Action. 

Stand Up for Israel! staff and volunteers are our community’s local Israel 

activists, striving every day to maintain strong support for Israel. 

Our Stand Up for Israel! initiatives include: 

• Advocating for a Strong U.S.-Israel Relationship to our elected 

representatives; 

• Building and sustaining support for Israel in the non-Jewish community; 

• Ensuring that media coverage of the Middle East is fair and accurate; and 

• Educating, organizing and energizing the Jewish community. 

Photo Courtesy of Lou Michaels 


Community members unite for an Israel 

Solidarity Gathering at the Sabes Jewish 

Community Center on January 11, 2009. 

Cosponsors included the Israel Program 

Center of the Minneapolis Jewish 

Federation and the Shaliach of the United 

Jewish Fund and Council of St. Paul and the 

St. Paul JCC. 

Right: Governor Pawlenty Signs Iran Divestment Legislation into Law 

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (seated) signs Iran Divestment Legislation with chief legislative 

cosponsors: State Sen. Terri Bonoff, State Sen. Warren Limmer, State Rep. Ryan Winkler, 

and State Rep. Paul Kohls. Other supporters of the legislation included Minnesotans Against 

Terrorism, Christians United for Israel, and AIPAC. Pictured left to right: Afsheen John Radsan, 

Brian Dorn, Rabbi Avi Olitzky, Amy Rotenberg, Mark Rotenberg, Andrew Parker, State Rep. 

Ryan Winkler, State Rep. Paul Kohls, State Rep. Marty Seifert, Jacob Millner, Ethan Roberts, 

State Sen. Terri Bonoff, Brian Kamin, State Sen. Warren Limmer, Cliff Greene, Ilan Sharon, 

Steve Hunegs, Pastor Tim Burt, and Steve Lear. 

3 

left inset: Sen. Al Franken addresses the 

audience at an Israel Solidarity Gathering. 

Photo Courtesy of Lou Michaels 

iRan divestMent legislation 

The highlight of JCRC’s Israel advocacy initiative, Stand Up for Israel!, in 

2009 was the passage of the Iran Divestment bill in the Minnesota legislature. 

The rationale of economic sanctions is to thwart, peacefully, Iran’s nuclear 

ambition—a critical goal in light of the threats of Iran’s President to destroy 

Israel and the threat a nuclear Iran presents to the United States, Arab nations, 

Europe, and much of the world. Furthermore, Iran has been identified by the 

State Department as the world’s most active state sponsor of terror, posing a 

clear and present danger to the democratic world, and to moderate Arab states 

in the Middle East. The JCRC was pleased that this legislation passed both 

houses of the Legislature with bipartisan support of its leadership, as well as 

bipartisan majority support from all corners of the state. The JCRC was also 

proud to have grass roots support from Christians and Jews alike. The JCRC 

spearheaded this effort, which will lead to the State Board of Investment selling 

approximately $280 million worth of stock in companies doing more than 

$20 million of business in Iran’s energy sector. Governor Pawlenty hosted a 

ceremonial bill signing on May 28, 2009, at the State Capitol organized by the 

JCRC.

undeRstanding tHe 

aRab-isRaeli ConfliCt: 

tHe CHallenge of PeaCe 

To fully understand the Arab-Israeli conflict, one should 

look at the region’s history, both ancient and modern, and 

then move forward to the events that shape today’s reality. 

Sound bites and one-dimensional viewpoints cannot 

convey the complexity and texture of the challenges in 

the region, nor can they move us toward peace. JCRC 

designed the Challenge of Peace educational presentation 

around clear, meaningful goals to maximize learning while providing 

information that is balanced and thought-provoking. Our dedicated and 

trained volunteers share a multimedia presentation that outlines the key facts, 

history, geography, and culture underlying the current state of affairs between 

Israelis and Arabs. 

JCRC Honors Representative Jim Ramstad 

Friends of Representative Jim Ramstad honor him at Adath Jeshurun Congregation in 

Minnetonka. Pictured from left to right in the front row: State Sen. Terri Bonoff, 

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Rep. Michele Bachmann. Pictured from left to right in 

the back row: Steve Hunegs, Former Rep. Tim Penny, Sarah Janecek, Rep. Keith Ellison, 

Rep. Erik Paulsen, Gov. Al Quie, Honoree Jim Ramstad, Hy Rosen, 

Rabbi Harold Kravitz, Judy Halper, and State Sen. David Hann. 

Participants in the Challenge of Peace program have told 

us that balanced and informed dialogue help improve 

everyone’s understanding of this conflict. The Challenge 

of Peace program provided over 140 presentations to schools, churches, 

synagogues, and other community groups throughout Minnesota in the 2008– 

2009 program year. The Challenge of Peace program also offers presentations 

on basic Judaism and anti-Semitism. 

Challenge of Peace Presentation 

Sally Abrams presenting to a delegation of Arab civic leaders from Yemen and UAE, who 

participated in a program organized by the National Peace Foundation in Chicago. 

JCRC Meets with South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson in Sioux Falls 

Pictured from left to right: Jacob Millner, Carol Rosenthal, Stephen Rosenthal, Senator Tim 

Johnson, Steve Hunegs, and Deputy Israeli Consul General Gershon Kedar. 


4

safeguaRding ouR CoMMunitY 

fighting Anti-semitism And hAte crimes, monitoring the Activity of hAte groups, investigAting hAte incidents, And counseling victims of discriminAtion. 

Safeguarding Our Community works with local, state, and federal law enforcement, 

safety, security, and other organizations to develop and implement 

monitoring, prevention, response, and education programs. In 2007, the JCRC 

received a grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security under 

its Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The 

JCRC used this grant to implement communications tools that benefit Jewish 

organizations throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas. 

safeguaRding ouR JewisH CoMMunitY institutions 

American Jews will not soon forget the shooting at the United States Holocaust 

Memorial Museum or the terror plot to blow up two Bronx synagogues in 

2009. Those and other anti-Semitic incidents continue to motivate community 

leaders to reassess and enhance security protocols. Safeguarding Our Community 

works with local, state and federal law enforcement officials to keep our community 

safe. We help provide security guidance and serve as the official Jewish 

community liaison with law enforcement. 

Safeguarding Our Community is also the watchdog of the Jewish community 

– fighting on behalf of victims of religious discrimination, educating teachers, 

administrators, and businesses about the proper role of religion in public 

schools, and sensitizing educators and businesses to the Jewish calendar. When 

local organizations, employers, or schools schedule events on Jewish holidays, 

Safeguarding Our Community is the place people turn to for help. We connect 

with schools in Minnesota and the Dakotas each year to provide information and 

guidance about permitted religious activity and requirements to accommodate 

religious observances. 

5 


In July of 2009, a hate “church” based in the Midwest visited the Twin Cities 

to protest and spew messages of hate at Jewish institutions. The JCRC led a 

coordinated effort to prepare the Jewish community for the arrival of the hate 

“church”. JCRC’s Safeguarding Our Community program worked with federal 

and local law enforcement to ensure that all of the targeted protest sites were 

properly prepared for the hate group’s arrival. As a result of JCRC’s planning 

efforts and the excellent law enforcement coordination with the targeted 

facilities, there were no incidents. 

Dr. Fred Lyon at the University of North Dakota, October 2008 

Dr. Lyon, a Kristallnacht survivor, participated in a series of educational programs on campus 

in connection with the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Dr. Lyon met with Jewish students 

and community members at B’nai Israel Synagogue in Grand Forks. His visit was part of a 

response to earlier anti-Semitic incidents on campus. 

Below: Dr. Lyon (pictured right) Meeting with Dr. Robert Kelley, President of the 

University of North Dakota.

Dr. Lyon’s Visit to UND 

(Continued from previous page) 

Right: Dr. Lyon speaking to students at UND 

about his experience during Kristallnacht. 

Below: Jewish students at UND attending a 

discussion with Dr. Lyon. UND Law Professor, 

Greg Gordon (pictured far right), helped 

organize Dr. Lyon’s appearance on campus. 

Also pictured (third from left) is Wilbur Stolt, 

Director of Libraries at UND. 

JCRC Responds to Terrorism in Mumbai 

Right: Shivanthi Sathanandan, a member of the 

India Association of Minnesota, lighting a candle 

at a memorial service for the victims in Mumbai. 

The memorial service was cosponsored by the 

JCRC, Minnesota Rabbinical Association, and 

Chabad Lubavitch of Minnesota and was held 

at the Sabes Jewish Community Center on 

December 7, 2008. 

Below: The JCRC participated in a joint press conference on December 2, 2008, voicing local 

solidarity condemning the terror attacks in India. Joined by members from the local Indian 

community, Muslim community, Rabbi Aaron Brusso (not pictured) of the Minnesota Rabbinical 

Association, Rabbi Moshe Feller (not pictured) of Chabad Lubavitch of the Upper Midwest. 

Senator Satveer Chaudhary (center) expressed his condolences to the victims of the terrorist 

attacks. JCRC Executive Director, Steve Hunegs (pictured far left), and Representative Frank 

Hornstein (pictured far right) also spoke at the press conference. Also pictured: Shivanthi 

Sathanandan, P.G. Narayanan, Gopal Khanna, Owais Bayunus, and Dr. Bruce Corrie. 


toleRanCe Minnesota 

creAting A more tolerAnt And just society by promoting understAnding 

of All cultures And reducing prejudiciAl And hurtful behAviors. 

Founded in 2001 by the JCRC, Tolerance Minnesota promotes cultural, 

racial and lifestyle understanding through innovative diversity education 

and professional development training. Only 18 months after its inception, 

Tolerance Minnesota earned the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits “Best Anti- 

Racism Initiative” award and the National Spirit of Anne Frank award for 

outstanding citizenship. 

During the 2009 program year, Tolerance Minnesota’s workshops directly 

reached over 1,000 educators. These workshops include Race, Exploration of 

Language, as well as partnering to implement Facing History: Choices in Little 

Rock and Close the Gap, which examines disparities based on race, place, and 

income throughout the Twin Cities metro area. 

ColoR PRoJeCt 

The Color Project illustrates that people are defined more by what is inside of 

them than the color of their skin. Mixing colors together gives students a sense 

of pride and allows them to discover for themselves that there is no such thing 

as “black” or “white” skin color. Tolerance Minnesota staff facilitated the Color 

Project for 7,327 students last year and we are proud to once again facilitate the 

Color Project at Minnesota’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at 

Concordia University. 

Tolerance Minnesota billboard advertising the Color Project was partially subsidized 

through Clear Channel’s nonprofit PSA program. 

7 


Andrea Simon, an 8th grade English 

teacher from South Middle School in 

Grand Forks, ND, commenting on the 

trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial 

Museum organized by Tolerance 

Minnesota: 

“ 

I wanted to take a moment to thank 

you for provIdIng my student, Brady 

LaurIn, wIth thIs wonderfuL opportunIty. 

he returned from the trIp 

energIzed By the content and excIted 

to share hIs experIences. 

thank you for supportIng the 

educatIon of our chILdren! 

” 

Right: The locally 

produced documentary 

in cooperation with the 

JCRC, “In the Shadow of 

the Acropolis”, has won 

two Telly Awards for 

outstanding achievement 

in film in the categories 

of education and 

history/biography. 

Cover art of the David Fishel Holocaust 

Remembrance Project Minnesota Survivor 

Family Kit 

The 2009 Holocaust Essay Contest 

winners pictured in front of the 

United States Holocaust Memorial 

Museum in Washington, D.C. 

Pictured from left to right: Brady Laurin 

from South Middle School in Grand Forks, 

ND, with his father, Randall Laurin; Sam 

Blustin from Robbinsdale Armstrong High 

School in Plymouth, MN, with his father, 

Sholly Blustin; and Olivia Wyatt from Buffalo 

Community Middle School in Buffalo, MN, 

with her teacher, Jan Heyerdahl.

toleRanCe Minnesota: HoloCaust eduCation 

educAting About the millions who perished And honoring the survivors of nAzi persecution by focusing on locAl survivor testimony. 

david fisHel HoloCaust ReMeMbRanCe PRoJeCt 

Minnesota suRvivoR faMilY Kits 

To ensure that Holocaust education continues and teachers, students and 

others have an interactive experience with a direct witness to the event, 

Tolerance Minnesota created Minnesota Survivor Family Kits in 2008. These 

interactive kits will be a valuable resource to teachers once the survivors are 

no longer able to visit the classroom. The kits take original Shoah tapes and 

weave the story using historical footage with contemporary meaning. They 

also include information about the life of a Holocaust survivor before, during 

and after the Holocaust. The survivors take students on a historical journey by 

providing their insight and testimony as it relates to their personal history, the 

Holocaust and the history of anti-Semitism in Minnesota. Minnesota Survivor 

Family Kits enable students to become historians by tracing and building a 

person’s life through primary resources and historic events. In addition, a 

curriculum is provided to teach the universal lessons of the Holocaust as a basis 

for critical thinking about their own lives and about the experiences of other 

people. This initiative is supported by the Aronson Family Foundation; the 

Esther Latarus fund; the Beverly Foundation; the Ackos Family fund; and the 

Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany. 

adoPt a suRvivoR 

Starting in Fall 2009, Minneapolis Talmud Torah in conjunction with the 

JCRC and CHAIM (Children of Holocaust Survivors in Minnesota) will 

begin a new class in Holocaust studies. The class “Adopt A Survivor” will pair 

Talmud Torah Bet Midrash students with Holocaust survivors with the goal of 

having students learn about the survivor’s life and experiences as students study 

the Holocaust. 

u.s. HoloCaust MeMoRial MuseuM tRiP 

Since 1996, the JCRC’s annual trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum 

(USHMM) in Washington, D.C. has educated participants about the atrocities 

of the Holocaust. In 2009, over 155 people were on the trip representing 

the Minneapolis Police Department, St. Cloud State University, Inver Hills 

Community College, Minneapolis South High School, Buffalo Community 

Middle School, Central High School, City Academy, Shir Tikvah, South 

Middle School in Fargo, ND, Swanville High School, and Zumbrota Mazeppa 

School. Tolerance Minnesota conducts a Holocaust Essay Contest, which gives 

students in grades 6-12 the opportunity to reflect on the Holocaust in essay 

form and is cosponsored by the United Jewish Fund and Council of St. Paul; 

Dr. A.L. and Rose Greenberg fund; Gary Tankenoff Youth Against Prejudice 

Endowment Fund; the Kelen Family Foundation; and the Rhoda & Don 

Mains Youth Against Prejudice Endowment Fund. Grand prize winners of the 

contest receive a free trip to the USHMM with their teacher or parent. 

Students from St. Cloud 

State University Visit the 

United States Holocaust 

Memorial Museum 

In conjunction with Rabbi 

Joseph Edelheit, Director of 

Religious and Jewish Studies 

at St. Cloud State University, 

the JCRC led students to 

the museum in March, 2009. 

HoloCaust CoMMunitY events 

Over 4,000 people were reached in our community events. In April, 2009, the JCRC, CHAIM (Children of Holocaust Survivors Association in Minnesota), 

Beth El Synagogue, Minneapolis Jewish Federation, and the United Jewish Fund and Council of St. Paul cosponsored the 29th annual Yom HaShoah (Holocaust 

Remembrance Day) Commemoration at Beth El Synagogue. Over 750 community members, including Sen. Norm Coleman and other elected officials, gathered 

for a profoundly moving and inspirational evening. 


8

sPeaKeRs buReau 

For over 40 years, JCRC has provided Holocaust speakers for schools and 

organizations throughout Minnesota. In 2009, our speakers reached 3,500 

individuals. Most of the JCRC speakers are Holocaust survivors or the children 

of survivors who can give teachers, students and individuals first– and second– 

hand testimony about the Holocaust. 

The JCRC Speakers Bureau also places speakers to discuss Judaism, anti- 

Semitism and, works with Tolerance Minnesota’s Council of Advisors to reach 

Minnesota’s diverse and ever-changing communities. 

Tolerance Minnesota’s current Council of Advisors includes: 

9 


• Organization of Chinese Americans 

• Japanese American Citizens League 

• Native Academy 

• Hmong Cultural Center, Inc. 

• La Oportunidad Inc. 

• Confederation of Somali Community in 

Minnesota 

• Minnesota AIDS project 

• India Association of Minnesota 

• Islamic Resource Group 

• African American Relief & Development 

Initiatives (ARADI) 

• Tibetan American Foundation Minnesota 

• Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota 

• Outfront Minnesota 

• Special Olympics Minnesota 

1. 

2. 

3. 

fRom top to Bottom: 1. JCRC’s 2009 Annual Event: Audience members look on as 

WCCO-TV’s Don Shelby moderates a discussion between State Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, 

Gov. Al Quie, Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, and Rep. Keith 

Ellison; 2. JCRC’s 2009 Annual Event: Pictured left to right: Rabbi Joseph Edelheit, 

Director of Religious and Jewish Studies at St. Cloud State University; Reverend Peg 

Chemberlin, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council of Churches and President-Elect 

of the National Council of Churches; and Steve Hunegs, JCRC Executive Director; 

3. Iran Divestment Legislative Chief Sponsors Honored at JCRC’s 2009 Annual 

Event: Pictured from left to right: State Rep. Ryan Winkler, State Sen. Terri Bonoff, State 

Rep. Paul Kohls, and State Sen. Warren Limmer; 4. South Dakota Senator John Thune 

(center) receiving a copy of Israel’s Declaration of Independence from Sam Horowitz (left), 

Network Midwest Director at United Jewish Communities, and South Dakota JCRC board 

member Stephen Rosenthal (right) in August of 2008 in Sioux Falls; 

5. JCRC President Brian Kamin (pictured far left) meeting with members of 

the Minnesota Legislature: Pictured from left to right: Brian Kamin, State Rep. Frank 

Hornstein, State Sen. Sandra Pappas, State Rep. Tina Liebling, and State Rep. Steve Simon. 

4. 

5.

afteR 63 YeaRs JCRC Reunites HoloCaust suRvivoR and 

HeR ResCueR in Minnesota 

In September of 2008, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota 

and the Dakotas had the privilege of hosting the reunion between a Holocaust 

survivor and a member of the family that saved her 63 years ago. Traveling 

from Israel, Holocaust survivor Mia Lakmaker, was reunited with her rescuer, 

Wilma Stienstra (maiden name Woudstra), who currently resides in Lake 

Crystal, Minnesota. Many groups witnessed this reunion including students, 

teachers, and the community at large. 

In 1945, 13–year–old Wilma Woudstra’s heart broke when she lost her 5–year– 

old “sister.” Sixty three years later, Wilma and Mia held each other tightly at 

the international arrivals gate of the Minneapolis–St. Paul international airport. 

The two women are not biological sisters but the bond they created when they 

met in 1942 cannot be described any other way. 

Mia’s mother had dropped off her 2–year–old daughter under the cover of 

darkness at the doorstep of the Woudstra’s home in IJlst, a small town in the 

northern Netherlands. Wilma recalls a lot of commotion the night Mia arrived 

and in the morning she had a new sister, who was happy to be amongst other 

children. The relationship was fulfilling for both of them since Wilma had lost 

a younger sister one year prior. “Why [did] I feel so attached to Mia? … She 

was my girl, my baby,” recalled Wilma on WCCO-TV (September 11, 2008). 

Wilma, 11 at the time, took care of Mia, playing with her and fulfilling all the 

necessary motherly duties. 

Wilma’s father was a factory owner and the family lived comfortably before 

World War II. When Nazi forces invaded the Netherlands in 1940, Mr. 

Woudstra joined an underground network that helped Jewish people by hiding 

them from the Nazis. “We were a Christian family … [and] my father thought 

it was horrible that the Germans rounded up Jews. Just to kill people you 

don’t like…”, said Wilma (Pioneer Press, September 7, 2008). Risking their 

personal safety, the Woudstras first took in a Jewish couple and then Mia. The 

townspeople knew she was not biologically related to them but managed to 

keep the secret from the Nazis for years. Mia recalls hiding in a cupboard and 

having to be completely silent during a Nazi patrol. 

Wilma and Mia sharing their story 

with students in Neil Anderson’s 

social studies class at South High 

School in Minneapolis. 

Wilma Stienstra (left) 

and Mia Lakmaker 

(right) speaking at 

St. Paul Academy and 

Summit School. 

After the war ended, an aunt of Mia took her from Wilma’s family, hoping 

to reunite her with her parents. Unfortunately, Mia’s parents, both in their 

20s, were killed in the Nazi death camp in Sobibor, Poland. Shortly after 

this, Mia contracted tuberculosis and was abandoned by her aunt. Upon her 

recovery, some peace finally entered Mia’s life: she became a foster child to a 

Jewish family and eventually moved to Israel where she married and had three 

children. 

Mia, 68, currently resides in Tel-Aviv and is a grandmother of seven. Looking 

at old pictures, she ran across a photo of herself and a large family, which 

was labeled with the Woudstra name and town. Mia began her search for 

the family that saved her in order to thank them. She contacted a Dutch 

TV station that ended up doing a story on her search. The story was seen by 

Wilma’s brothers, who put the two in touch by phone. “I was very happy to 

talk with her and to say to her how much I feel for her, and say thank you for 

all the things you did for me,” Lakmaker said. 

Their reunion was organized by the JCRC with support from Mindy and Dan 

Ribnick and in partnership with Northwest Airlines, which donated Mia’s 

airfare, and WCCO-TV, which originally broke the story. The pair visited 

St. Paul Academy and Summit School, the Minneapolis Jewish Day School, 

South High School in Minneapolis, and Bet Shalom Congregation to share 

their story. The reunion was covered by WCCO-TV (Search “Mia Lakmaker” 

on www.WCCO.com) and the Pioneer Press (archived). 


10

JustiCe squaRed 

mobilizing the jewish community to combine sociAl justice AdvocAcy And 

community service to improve the lives of minnesotA’s children, youth, And fAmilies. 

Tikkun Olam - “Mending the world through social justice” is the philosophy 

which drives the work of Justice Squared. The Justice Squared name is inspired 

both by the directive in Deuteronomy 16:20, “Justice, justice shall you pursue” 

and by the two part mission of the program to combine opportunities for community 

service and advocacy. 

Justice Squared inspires thousands of volunteers of all ages to break down socioeconomic 

and cultural barriers; mentor and tutor youth; feed the hungry; and 

build and repair homes. By bringing a Jewish voice and perspective to today’s 

most challenging issues, Justice Squared’s social action work shapes public policy, 

protects civil rights and improves the quality of life for all citizens—especially 

new Americans. Justice Squared achieves these goals through the following 

programs: Community Works Immigrant Mentoring; Twin Cities Jewish Coalition 

for Literacy; Justice Squared Advocacy Commission; Interfaith Youth Leadership 

Coalition; and the Jewish / Muslim Community Dialogue and Exchange. 

inteRfaitH YoutH leadeRsHiP Coalition 

The Interfaith Youth Leadership Coalition, a program cosponsored by Justice 

Squared and the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches, is a youth-specific, 

youth-led space for young leaders (grades 8–12) of all religions in the Twin 

Cities area to explore what it means to live in a pluralistic world. 

Together they tackle justice and peace issues that face our community. 

Debbie Kuglin, Kids Connection Teacher, 

“ 

Commenting on the work of a Justice Squared Literacy Tutor: 

susanne Is a gIft to the program. she came here havIng very LIttLe 

experIence wIth kIds and deveLoped a specIaL nIche for herseLf as the 

‘readIng Lady’. susanne Is thoughtfuL, refLectIve and kInd. she has 

aLready made a dIfference In one chILd’s LIfe By InspIrIng her to have dreams 

11 

for her future. thIs LIttLe gIrL came Back from readIng wIth susanne Last 

week wIth prIde In her eyes and excItement In her voIce Because she had 

read a whoLe Book wIth susanne. I have never seen thIs LIttLe gIrL 

get excIted aBout readIng! 

” 


Ten to fifteen teens meet monthly to learn about each other’s religious and 

spiritual experiences, traditions, develop a sense of solidarity across religious 

and other dividing barriers, and work together on addressing social justice 

issues through service-learning and advocacy. This past year the group chose to 

focus programming on teen homelessness and literacy problems in Minnesota. 

The 4 th annual Interfaith Day of Service held on President’s Day, February 16, 

2009—planned by the Coalition members—brought together 200 youth and 

adult volunteers representing a variety of faiths including Protestant, Catholic, 

Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, Mormon, Agnostic, Non-religious, Buddhist, 

Evangelical, Shamanist, among others. The Interfaith Youth Leadership 

Coalition was recognized by the community and chosen as a recipient of 

Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Council on Faith and Community Service Best 

Practices Award. 

Interfaith Teen Dialogue 

Students from Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic Center conversing 

with students from Bet Shalom Congregation. 

opposite page: 

Justice Squared’s 

Global Day of 

Service: Pictured 

left to right: Rabbi 

David Locketz, Bet 

Shalom Congregation; 

Abdisalam Adam, 

Director of the Dar 

Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic 

Center; Rep. Keith 

Ellison; and Cara 

Fish, Justice Squared 

Program Coordinator, 

participating in the 

Global Day of Service 

on April 26, 2009.

a Mn witHout PoveRtY and 

inteRfaitH dialogue 

This year Justice Squared dedicated resources to the 

anti-poverty campaign, A Minnesota Without Poverty, 

which is a statewide interfaith effort to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020. This 

agency was founded as a result of the bipartisan commission “The Legislative 

Commission to End Poverty”, which outlined in its report the actions necessary 

to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020. Once the Commission finished the report 

A Minnesota Without Poverty was created by the faith community to continue 

the work to end poverty in Minnesota. Other groups dedicated to this cause 

are: Minnesota Council of Churches, Minnesota Catholic Conference, Catholic 

Charities, Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, Lutheran Coalition for Public 

Policy, and the St. Paul Area Synod ELCA. 

Justice Squared continued its work with the Muslim community through the 

Bet Shalom / Dar Al-Hijrah community dialogue and service project. Over 70 

teens and adults from both congregations gathered six times to learn about each 

other’s religion, traditions, culture, and history, while at the same time learning 

about social justice issues in Minnesota and providing services to people in need. 

Activities included learning about Operation Solomon (rescue of Ethiopian 

Jews from Ethiopia to Israel in 1991) from Senator Rudy Boschwitz, as well as 

cleaning and helping at shelters during the Global Day of Service. 

2008-2009 PRogRaM aCCoMPlisHMents: 

� 40 Literacy tutors worked 2-4 hours per week at 14 school and 

after–school programs throughout the Twin Cities; 

� 22 new mentors committed 2-6 hours per week with individuals and 

families from Mexico, Liberia, Laos, Somalia, and Cambodia; 

� 14 active Justice Squared Commission volunteers met once a month 

for 2 hours to review and discuss social justice policy, legislation and 

programming; 

� 12 Habitat for Humanity crew volunteers met every Friday to give over 

2,500 combined service hours for the year; 

� Donated over 300 jackets, sweaters, hats and mittens during our winter 

clothing drive to local clothing shelves; 

� Donated over 1,800 pounds of food to local food shelves; 

� 15 teens from across different faiths and backgrounds joined together to 

create the Interfaith Youth Leadership Council sponsored by the Jewish 

Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas and the 

Saint Paul Area Council of Churches; 

� Recruited over 250 volunteers for the Interfaith Teen Day of Service and 

the Global Day of Service to provide over 1,000 hours of community 

service; 

� 70 teens and adults from Bet Shalom Congregation and Dar Al-Hijrah 

Islamic Resource Center joined together for 6 dialogue and service events 

to provide over 850 combined service hours at local shelters and agencies; 

and 

� Justice Squared recruited over 650 volunteers for short and long term 

community service and advocacy programs to volunteer 3,600 combined 

hours serving over 2,800 people throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas. 


Minnesota inteRfaitH 

daRfuR Coalition 

The Minnesota Interfaith Darfur Coalition (MIDC) was created by a 

collaboration of local synagogues, churches, human rights, and social justice 

organizations to help end the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. 

With hundreds of members, the Coalition has engaged in fundraising, 

consciousness-raising, and lobbying on behalf of the people of Darfur. 

MIDC events included: a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol Building in 

2008; a screening of a documentary about Darfur that aired on Twin Cities 

Public Television; a Human Rights Policy Conference at the law firm of Dorsey 

& Whitney; a community lecture featuring American Jewish World Service 

President Ruth Messinger; and a Day for Darfur at the Minnesota 

State Capitol in 2009. The Minnesota Interfaith Darfur Coalition was 

founded by: Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Bet Shalom Congregation, 

Genocide Intervention Network of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota 

Human Rights Center, Minnesota Council of Churches, Temple Israel, and 

the JCRC. 

Rally for Darfur at the Minnesota State Capitol 

Community members gather to call attention to the genocide 

in Darfur on September 3, 2008. 

Right inset: Rabbi Sim Glaser of Temple Israel addressing 

community members at the Rally for Darfur. 

13 


Rising leadeRs CounCil 

The JCRC’s Rising Leaders Council (RLC) is dedicated to continuing to build 

and expand the local Jewish community with a new group of rising Jewish 

leaders through educational, social, cultural, and political affairs opportunities. 

The RLC aims to get young Jewish professionals connected, involved, and 

invested in the local Jewish community. More than 140 young professionals 

are members of the RLC. 

While only two years old, the RLC has held numerous successful events 

that have brought together young Jewish professionals to network with each 

other and to learn about issues pertinent to the local Jewish community. 

Representative Keith Ellison addressed members of the RLC about the 

importance of civic engagement in August of 2008. 

Israeli Consul General to the Midwest Visits Twin Cities 

Orli Gil, Israeli Consul General from Israel to the Midwest (pictured 3 rd from left), visits 

with community members to discuss business partnerships between Minnesota and Israel. 

Pictured in the front row from left to right: Consul General Orli Gil, Susan Shapiro, and 

Pastor Tim Burt. Pictured in the second row from left to right: Brian Elliott, Ed Rapoport, 

Cliff Greene, Amy Rotenberg, Brian Kamin, Alan Silver, Ilan Sharon, and Eric Black.

goveRnMent affaiRs PRogRaM 

connecting the jewish community to elected officiAls, Allies At united jewish communities, And 

minnesotA’s nonprofit community. 

Initiated in 2001, and generously funded by the Minneapolis Jewish 

Federation and the United Jewish Fund and Council of Saint Paul, the 

Government Affairs Program represents the interests of the Twin Cities Jewish 

community’s social service agencies and private schools before the federal, 

state and local governments. 

Since its inception, the Government Affairs Program has helped steer hundreds 

of millions of dollars in government funds to the community. The Government 

Affairs Program achieved several notable successes over the past year. These 

successes include securing the following new dollars for the community: 

$238,000 in federal funds for Jewish Family Service of Saint Paul’s NORC 

initiative, $298,000 in Ramsey County funds to defray construction costs 

for Sholom Community Alliance’s Shaller Family Sholom East Campus, 

and millions of dollars in stimulus funds for the Medicaid funded services 

provided by our agencies to vulnerable seniors. Working with our allies at 

the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, the Government Affairs Program also 

passed legislation to protect the property tax exempt status of our community’s 

nonprofits and defeated legislation that would have required all recipients 

of public assistance, including children, to be finger printed as a condition 

of their receiving assistance. Finally, working closely with the staff at Jewish 

Family & Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS), the Government Affairs 

Program was instrumental in retaining and expanding JFCS’ significant Basic 

Sliding Fee Childcare contract with Hennepin County. 

JCRC at tHe RnC 

During the Republican National Convention, the JCRC organized multiple 

bipartisan forums to actively inform members of the St. Paul and Minneapolis 

Jewish communities about important issues surrounding the 2008 Presidential 

election. The JCRC worked closely with the American Jewish Committee 

(AJC) on a series of panel discussions. Additionally, the JCRC cosponsored a 

forum with the United Jewish Fund and Council of St. Paul, the Minneapolis 

Jewish Federation, and AIPAC featuring nationally renowned political pundits 

opining about the 2008 Presidential election. 

Evening with Indian Ambassador Arun Singh 

Sponsored by the India Association of Minnesota & The Indus Entrepreneurs-MN in 

partnership with the JCRC. Pictured from left to right: Professor V.V. Chari, Manu Narayanan, 

Steve Hunegs, P.G. Narayanan, Shivanthi Sathanandan, Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, 

Ambassador Arun Singh, Karthik Vishwanathan, State Sen. Tarryl Clark, Dinesh Wahi, Pradeep 

Gundavarapu, and Fazel Haris. 

JCRC Israeli 

Diplomatic 

Reception 

at the Home of 

Ruth Usem 

Right inset: 

Rep. Betty McCollum addressing the 

audience. 

Right: Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor 

(pictured left) meeting with 

Sen. Amy Klobuchar. 

JCRC Hosts 3 rd 

Congressional District 

Debate at Bet Shalom 

Congregation 

Pictured from left to right: 

Rep. Erik Paulsen, David 

Dillon, and Ashwin Madia. 


14

finanCials Fiscal Year 2008 (September 1, 2007–August 31, 2008) * 

Revenue 

1. “Allocations” represent revenue from the Minneapolis Jewish Federation 

and the United Jewish and Council of St. Paul. 

2. “Foundations and Corporate” revenue includes ongoing use of several 

significant multi-year grants with money restricted for future years. 

16 15 

Allocations 1 493,572 

Individual Contributions 435,984 

Foundations and Corporate 2 73,491 

Fee for Service 116,275 

Investment (15,849) 

Total $ 1,103,473 

donoRs 

pleAse note: 

The institutional and individual 

donors listed on pages 15, 16, 

and 17 are, like the financials 

above, from fiscal year 2008 

(9/1/2007-8/31/2008). 

Please contact us at 

612-338-7816 if we have 

inadvertently omitted your 

name or made any other errors. 

thAnk You 


$ 1,500,000 

$ 1,000,000 

$ 500,000 

$ (50,000) 

PLATINUM $100,000+ 

McKnight Foundation 

Minneapolis Jewish Federation 

United Jewish Fund & Council 

of St. Paul 

GOLD $25,000-$99,999 

Otto Bremer Foundation 

The Saint Paul Foundation 

REVENUE 

$ 1,103,473 

Allocations 45% 

Individual Contributions 40% 

Foundations and Corporate 6% 

Fee for Service 10% 

EXPENSES 

$ 1,166,246 

Investment -1% Program Services 85% 

Graphs not to scale. 

THANK YOU TO OUR INSTITUTIONAL DONORS 

SILVER $10,000-$24,999 

Caribou Coffee 

Compas / United Arts General Fund 

Kelen Family Foundation 

Tankenoff Families Foundation 

BRONZE $1000-$9,999 

Affiance Financial LLC 

Bassford Remele, PA 

Administrative 4% 

Fundraising 11% 

*Our fiscal year 2009 ends August 31, and it is not possible to have audited financials until later in the year. 

This report features program achievements from fiscal year 2009, but the financials above reflect fiscal year 2008. 

Expenses 

Ralph and Charlotte Bearman 

Family Philanthropic Fund 

Fine Family Foundation 

Kaplan Family Foundation 

Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Co. LLP 

Marshall & Ilsley Bank 

Northwest Airlines 

Panim Institute 

RBC Dain Raucher Foundation 

Administrative 52,387 

Fundraising 122,973 

Program Services 3 990,886 

Total $1,166,246 

3. The JCRC Program Services include: Safeguarding Our Community, Stand 

Up for Israel!, Understanding the Arab–Israel Conflict: The Challenge of Peace, 

Tolerance Minnesota, Holocaust Education, Speakers Bureau, Justice Squared, and 

Twin Cities Jewish Community Government Affairs Program. 

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP 

St. Paul Area Council of Churches 

Thomson Reuters 

Travelers Arts & Diversity 

Committee 

US Trust 

Archie D. & Bertha H. Walker 

Foundation 

Holocaust Insurance Claims 

15

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE 

$5,000+ 

Anonymous 

Robert & Bobbi Aronson 

Richard & Diane Cohen 

Richard & Dobra Hunegs 

Steve & Sheri Lear 

Stephen & Sheila Lieberman 

Gail & Steve Machov 

Edward & Jacki Paster 

Celia Paster 

Harold & Ruth Roitenberg 

Ruth Usem 

Laurence & Shirley Zipkin 

Colin & Wendy Smith 

Mark & Debbie Glotter 

Rhonda Stein & Stuart 

Goldenberg 

Herbert & Judy Goldenberg 

Bruce & Laurie Goldfarb 

Ilene Levin & Steve Goldfine 

Clifford & Kim Greene 

Pat & Tom Grossman 

Michael & Ann Hofkin 

Brian & Sandra Kamin 

Elliot & Eloise Kaplan 

Stefanie & Robert Karon 

James Jacobson & Andrea 

Kaufman 

Prof. Daniel & Carolyn 

Kleinberger 

Merrill & Gracia Kuller 

William & Sybil Lipschultz 

Donald & Rhoda Mains 

Gregory & Linda McEwen 

Todd Morgan 

Sandra Okinow 

Gary & Susan Rappaport 

Mark Robinow 

Steve Hunegs & Jenifer 

Robins 

Mitchell Rotenberg 

Adeel & Jeri Saad 

Karen Sachs 

Allen & Linda Saeks 

James & Van Sanders 

Tom & Sheva Sanders 

Janet Sassone 

Polly & Michael Saxon 

Nancy & Steven Schachtman 

Frank Schochet 

Michelle & Steven Shaller 

Rossy & Richard Shaller 

Susan & Neal Shapiro 

Alan & Janny Silver 

THANK YOU 

TO OUR 

INDIVIDUAL 

DONORS 

BENEFACTOR 

$1,000-$4,999 

Sally & Michael Abrams 

Edward Adams 

Elliot & Marlys Badzin 

Steven & Wendy Baldinger 

Stan & Amy Baratz 

Larry Barenbaum 

Fred & Judith Baron 

Robert & Linda Barrows 

Michael & Etta Barry 

Frank & Toby Berman 

Lyle & Jan Berman 

Abigail Rose & Michael Blum 

Barbara Braman 

Holly & Jon Brod Farber 

Mitchel & Susan Chargo 

Marty Chester & Haley 

Schaffer 

Elaine & Gary Dachis 

Kelly Doran 

Kenneth & Donna Engel 

Sara Sternberger & 

Dr. Howard Epstein 

Ronald Fingerhut 

Ken & Nicole Fink Rep. Stephen Simon 

Richard & Beverly Fink Dede & David Smith 

Mike & Linda Fiterman Sherry Stern & Steven 

Terry & Sheldon Fleck Snyder 

Rebecca Glass 

William Toles 

Robert Glimcher Frank & Carol Trestman 

Deera Tychman Barbara Ratner Raymond Lazar Martin & Bonnie Bush Senator Ron Latz & Julia 

Joel & Sharon Waller Louise & Jerry Ribnick Sheila Field & Harold Sheldon & Lili Chester Shmidov Latz 

Norm & Sally Winer Stanford & Jo Ellen Robins Levinger 

William & Peggy Cohn Karee & Bradley Lehrman 

Katherine Wodtke Dan & Jodi Rosen Alan Linoff 

David Dillon 

Jimmy & Stephanie Levine 

SPONSOR 

$500-$999 

Anonymous 

David Wark & Mary Ann 

Barrows Wark 

Herman Birnberg 

Meyer Bolnick 

Ken Brooks 

David & Julie Burton 

Judith & Rodney Cooperman 

Sen. Mark Dayton 

Jeri D’Lugin 

Susan & Leonard Druskin 

Daniel Lieberman & Suzanne 

Fenton 

Nancy Goldstein & Philip 

Geller 

Lawrence & Lois Gibson 

Deb Oberman & Mark 

Gittleman 

Sherman & Mimi Gleekel 

Paula Goldberg 

William & Susan Goldenberg 

Jeff & Melanie Goldetsky 

Ellen & Adam Greenfield 

Alene R. Grossman 

Amos Heilicher 

Lynn Herbert 

Marvin Ingber 

Allen & Sharon Kaufmann 

Howard & Elaine Kuretsky 

Lisa & Randy Lane 

Bruce & Amy Langer 

Sheldon & Delores Levin 

John Levy 

Susan Lieberman 

Brian and Sari Lipschultz 

Andrew Luger & Ellen 

Goldberg Luger 

Mike Miller 

Jeff Oberman & Katherine 

Conner 

David & Jill Orbuch 

Ken Rafowitz 

Steve Roth 

Myron Frans & Susan Segal 

Dr. Jeffrey & Cari Shaw 

Carol Sarnat & Rick 

Siedband 

Dr. Richard & Diane 

Smookler 

Joni & Peter Sussman 

James & Paula Tankenoff 

Harold Lieberman & Rebecca 

Teitel 

Alan & Gloria Weinblatt 

Blair & Fremajane Wolfson 

Susan & Paul Yellin 

Ronald & Lynn Zamansky 

Jill Zipkin 

PATRON 

$250-$499 

Rev. Grant Abbott 

Arnold Aberman 

Jeff & Amy Alch 

Robert & Sharon Ansel 

Semyon & Lydia Axelrod 

Constance Berde 

Stuart & Carolyn Bloom 

Steven Carlson 

Dr. Robert & Susan Diamond 

Neil Feinberg 

David Feinberg 

Brad & Lori Fritz 

Jean & William Gjetson 

Lynn & Alan Goldbloom 

Harry & Rivoli Golden 

Beverly Goldfine 

David Gotlieb 

Joyce & Jeff Greene 

William & Jane Greene 

Consul General Rolf W. 

Hansen 

Bonnie & Steve Heller 

Andy & Carolyn Johnson 

Jill & Brad Johnson 

Sen. Terri Bonoff & Matthew 

Knopf 

William & Patricia Lisberg Dr. Alan & Susan Divine S. Brian Lipschultz 

Jeanette Litman Jodi Elowitz 

Kris & John MacDonald 

Gil & Debra Mann Deborah Evans Seymour & Susan Mansfield 

Robert & Mary Sue Mersky Corrine & Thomas Feinberg Amos Rosenbloom & Marsha 

Joyce Meuler 

Harold & Joyce Field McDonald 

Frances & Mark Paper Charles & Victoria Fodor Caron Rubin & Marc 

Ellen Sue & Jonathan Parker Willis Forman 

Meirovitz 

Ann & Felix Phillips Paula & Norm Fox Lawrence & Mitzi Mulmed 

Ed & Anne-Monique Daniel Witt Fram Charles Nauen 

Rapoport 

Sally & Gerald Friedell Bobby & Bruce Nemer 

Nancy & Kevin Rhein Richard & Raleigh Fromstein Joan & Richard Newmark 

Robert & Doris Rose Dr. Howard & Heidi Gilbert M. M. Olson 

Phil & Tammie Rosenbloom Terry Gips 

Etta Fay Orkin 

Russ & Karen Rubin Kent Simon & Karen Dr. Hy & Sheila Paisner 

Rochelle Rubin & Scott Gjerstad 

Lawrence & Linda Perlman 

Rutzick 

Miriam & Marvin Goldberg Marvin Pertzik 

David & Mimi Sanders Rachel Goldenberg Marissa Pines 

Stanley Schweitzer Diane Goldman Richard Pins 

Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein Karen & Fred Gordon Renee & Michael Popkin 

Joanne & Michael Silverman William & Julie Gotlieb Kevin & Merit Raff 

Richard & Judith Spiegel Jason & Jacy Grais Andrew Rapoport 

Dori & Gary Weinstein Nancy & Rick Grobovsky Boyd Ratchye 

Howard & Gloria Weisskopf Steven H. Barrows Rev. Gary Reierson 

Ardis & Tom Wexler Phyllis & Howard Harris Kathy Robins 

Robert & Nancy Hartman Bob & Wendy Rubinyi 

FRIEND 

$100-$249 Christine & Seth Hausman Sandra & James Rutzick 

David & Joyce Abramson Elissa Heilicher Morton & Rosemarie Ryweck 

Carolyn Abramson Joel Mirviss & Danna Fannie Schanfield 

Sandra Alch 

Heilicher Mirviss Stuart Bear & Marsha 

Sharon Benmaman & John Ann Rockler Jackson & Schoenkin 

Allen 

Robert Jackson Dr. Burton & Sharon 

Dr. Howard Ansel Scott Johnson 

Schwartz 

Gail Asher 

Dr. Harold & Ruth Kaiser Yoav & Rosalyn Segal 

Mark Dillon & Susan Austrian Donna & Michael Kaplan Charles & Yvonne Selcer 

Dr. Lauren Baker & Eric Robert & Jane Ketroser Ronald & Judith Shapiro 

Black 

Mitchell Gordon & Karen Ilan & Cindy Sharon 

Jay Baldinger 

Kiener 

Edward Silberman 

Charles & Sally Bans Ted & Linda Kleiman Charles & Anna Silverman 

Fran & David Bayer Julie & Marc Kozberg Norman Greenberg & Beth 

Dr. Alan & Carol Bensman Rabbi Harold Kravitz Silverwater 

Dr. Hyman Berman Abbey Kuller 

Michael Siskin 

Dr. Gary & Bonnie Birnbaum Judy & Harold Kuller Henry & Janice Snyder 

Gene & Jane Borochoff James & Robin Lackner Peter & Sue Stein 


Tim Thornton 

Joel & Gail Tilsner 

Jeffrey & Stacie Usem 

Richard Kelber & Sharon 

Van Dyck 

Mimi Villaume 

Susan Gray & Dr. Paul Waytz 

Lindsay Nauen & Richard 

Weil 

Marilyn, Martin, and Scott 

Weisberg 

Sol & Sybil Wezelman 

Joy Wezelman 

Susan & Rob White 

Seymour & Sybil Wilensky 

THANK YOU 

TO OUR 

INDIVIDUAL 

DONORS 

17 


William Blauvelt 

Michael & Susan Blehert 

Neil & Judy Blumberg 

Harlan & Peggy Blumenthal 

Deborah Boehm 

Joann Boeyink 

Harry & Sue Bojman 

Gary Goldish & Bonnie 

Bongard Goldish 

Steve & Gail Brand 

Dr. Paul Slaton & Suzanne 

Brandson 

Judith & Arnold Brier 

Julie & Karl Brusen 

Elaine & Ron Burton 

Lorraine & Larry Winnerman Barbara Butcher 

Peter & Judy Wolf Helen Chargo 

Barry Wolfish 

Myra Chazin 

Shelley & Kenneth Zucker Stuart Chazin 

Philip Oxman & Harvey Rabbi Norman Cohen 

Zuckman 

Sabina & Andrew Cohen 

DOUBLE CHAI 

$36-$99 

Alvin & Bonnie Abrahamson 

Jack & Joan Abrahamson 

Jay & Lucille Abramovitz 

David & Betsy Abramson 

Darrell & Loni Ansel 

Yaffa Cohen-Appelbaum & 

Mark Appelbaum 

Stuart & Jean King 

Appelbaum 

Barbara Bach 

George & Barbara Barany 

Lee & Barbara Bearmon 

Dr. Jerome & Emily Beker 

Dr. Howard Fink & Stephanie 

Bell 

Edwin & Carolyn Bell 

Mark Satz & Gail Bender 

Satz 

Michael & Judith Berman 

Charlotte & Richard Berman 

Alan & Elisa Bernick 

Beth & Steve Birke 

Abbe Blacker 

Maddy & Yosef Cohen 

Laura Cohen 

Robert Edelstein & Mary 

Crowley 

Karen & Morris Davidman 

Beatrice Davis 

Maxine Davis 

Anne & Stephan Devitt 

Vladimir & Galina Dreytser 

Cynthia Dubansky 

R. Elaine DuFresne 

Robert & Jill Edelstein 

Deborah Eisenstadt 

Marvin & Marilyn Engle 

Mark & Carol Epstein 

Rabbi Avraham & Linda 

Brody Ettedgui 

Christine Eyal 

Robert & Vivian Ezrilov 

Ruth F. Brin 

Toby Feiges 

Eleanor & Stanley Field 

Wendy & Gary Fine 

Elizabeth Fine 

Dr. Robert & Linda Fisher 

Barb & Andy Fishman 

James & Karen Forman 

Margo & David Fox 

William & Jane Fox 

Allison Frailich 

Neal & Barbara Frank 

Rachael Freed 

Michael & Diane Frichol 

Charles Frisch 

Micah & Michal Garber 

Sherman & Lorraine Garon 

Marlene Garvis 

Hilde Gasiorowicz 

David & Sharon Gelperin 

Abigail & Jonathan Gewirtz 

Philip & Sheril Gilberstadt 

Helen Rubenstein & Sam 

Gilliam 

Howard Kahn & Zelia 

Goldberg 

Dr. Stanley & Luella 

Goldberg 

Zelia Goldberg 

Diane & Louis Goldenberg 

Celia Goldetsky 

Allen & Katherine Goldman 

Susan & Arnold Goldman 

Jules & Janice Goldstein 

Richard & Barbara Goldstein 

Hilda & Edmund Gottlieb 

Marvin & Nancy Greenberg 

Bayle Greenberg 

Paul & Debra Greenblatt 

Ida & Gary Greenfield 

Arlis & Erwin Grossman 

Barbara Grossman 

Dr. Steven & Carol Gurstelle 

Arlene Harris 

Whitney Harris 

Robert Hartman 

Jerry & Jenny Helfand 

Laurie Curtis & Alan Hirsch 

Dr. A. Kent Rissman & Linda 

Hulbert 

Dr. Milton & Eunice Hurwitz 

Judith Brin Ingber & Jerome 

Ingber 

Jeffrey & Orlee Kahn Ned Litin 

Rep. Phyllis & Donald Kahn Rabbi David Locketz 

Rabbi Robert Kahn Dan & Marsha Loewenson 

Bruce Kahn 

Sally Lorberbaum 

Richard Kahn Dr. Melvin & Mary Magidson 

Evelyn & Melvin Kamin Gerri & Stan Maisel 

Marc Roth & Ann Kaner-Roth Barbara Malzacher 

Susanne & Martin Kanter Gerald & Dee Mann 

Claudia Kanter Marcia & Philip Marcus 

Suzanne & Harvey Kaplan Ellyn & Michael Marell 

William Kaplan Sandra & Joseph Marin 

Shirley Kaplan Aaron & Phyllis Mark 

Dr. Everett & Norene Karon Marilyn Marker 

Ethel Katz 

Yedda Marks 

Alvin & Audrey Kaufman Jill Ann Marks 

Timothy Keane Sandra & David Marrinson 

Laurence Kivens Richard McNeil 

Daniel & Nancy Klausner Pamela Stein Meyers 

Marion & E. Gary Klein Dina & Igor Mikhailenko 

Saralyn Klein 

Mildred Miller 

Richard Kleinbaum Ronald Miller 

Eric & Karla Klinger Jacob Millner 

Carrie Krawetz Mervyn Mindess 

Dorothy Krawetz Marshall & Deborah Mintz 

E. Leah Krawetz Heidi Schneider & Joel 

Robert Krishef 

Mintzer 

Mayer Krupp 

Michelle Morris 

Lewis & Muriel Lachter Martin & Barbara Munic 

Robert Latz 

Susan & Charles Muscoplat 

Ardyce Lebewitz Mort & Micki Naiman 

Michael Davis & Jodi Leslie & Nancy Novak 

Lebewitz-Davis Irving & Charlotte Nudell 

Joy & Bob Leibman Nancy Fushan & David Olson 

Dr. Gloria & Arthur Leon Michael & Carol Orren 

Joan & Alan Levey Marjorie & Ralph 

Allan Baumgarten & Marilyn Papermaster 

Levi-Baumgarten Eric & JoAnn Pasternack 

Albert & Jeanne Levin Esther Patterson 

Jules & Rose Levin Bruce & Lisa Peilen 

Stephen & Rita Levin Beth & H. Jonathan Perlman 

Jeremy Levitt 

Amy Perloff 

Dr. Sheldon Berkowitz & Linda & Robert Perry 

Carolyn Levy J. Harvey & Jean Phillips 

Ivan & Mary Levy Barbara Grossman & Jeff 

Rhoda & Tom Lewin Prauer 

Michael & Rachel Lewine 

Tom Lipschultz 

Jim & Nancy Proman 

Stanley & Marilyn Rakieten 

Avrom & Nancy Robinow 

Leonard Robins 

Tamara & Michael Root 

Elaine & Richard Rosen 

Esther Rosen 

Barbara & David Rosenberg 

Robert Rosenberg 

Paula & Paula Rosenfield 

Carol & Stephen Rosenthal 

Stewart Rosoff 

Robert Rubenstein 

Dorothy Saltzman 

Susan Sanger 

Karen & Paul Schanfield 

Dr. Eric & Nancy Schned 

Stephen & Penny Schumacher 

Stephen & Sharon Segal 

Shelley Segal 

Miriam Segall 

Lauren & Martin Segelbaum 

Ross Shaich 

Carol & Alan Shapiro 

Rabbi Max A. Shapiro 

Jim & Estie Sherman 

Edwin & Doris Sherman 

Bruce Shine 

Paul Slayton 

Dr. James & Joanne Smith 

Jane & Gary Smith 

Bertha Smith 

Edith Smith 

Betty Smithberg 

Herman Snyder 

Kaye & Mitchell Spector 

Jeffery & Jeanne Stein 

Hilarie Stein 

Jane Stein Kerr 

Oren & Sharron Steinfeldt 

Jane Sternberg 

David & Cathryn Sussman 

Anthony Sussman 

Gerald Swarsensky 

Steve & Harriet Swartz 

Helen & Donald Swartz 

Katherine & Jeffrey Tane 

Marcia Taple 

Howard & Janet Tarkow 

Bruce & Judith Tennebaum 

David & Linda Therkelsen 

Ryvelle & William Tilsner 

Elliot Trach 

Sharon Traub 

Alexander & Takako 

Truskinovsky 

Roslye Ultan 

Val & Ludmila Vinnik 

Maureen Kucera-Walsh & 

Michael Walsh 

Suzanne Wasilczuk 

Susan Watchman 

Lee & Esther Wattenberg 

Barbara Weingarden 

Sanford & Carol Weisberg 

Dr. Irwin & Margery Weisman 

Dr. Herbert & Doris Weisman 

Robert Weisman 

Elaine & William White 

Alan & Connie Wilensky 

Sonia & Steve Winthrop 

Shirley & Harold Witkin 

Cathy & David Wogen 

Helen Wolk 

Joseph Wolkowicz 

Edward & Jane Zeman 

Rep. Frank Hornstein & 

Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman 

Shirley Zimmerman 

Sara & Boris Zuk 

Bruce & Ilene Zwick 

The institutional and 

individual donors 

listed on pages 15, 

16, and 17 are from 

fiscal year 2008. 

Please contact us at 

612-338-7816 if we have 

inadvertently omitted 

your name or made any 

other errors. Thank You.

ouR stoRy 

Jewish participation in public affairs in Minnesota and the Dakotas dates back 

more than 150 years to the pioneer days of the upper Midwest. Yet, to borrow 

a title from a Herman Wouk novel, the Jews of the three states were both 

inside and outside the life of their communities. In 1947, the National Jewish 

Welfare Board published a list of hundreds of Jewish men from Rochester, 

MN, to Dickinson, ND, to Aberdeen, SD, who were killed or wounded in action 

and/or decorated for their valor in performing their patriotic duty during 

World War II. Yet, degrees of exclusion were often the norm: there were many 

employers who would not hire Jews; there were many communities where 

Jews could not live; and there were even restaurants that would not serve Jews. 

The African-American and Japanese-American communities also faced similar 

conditions. From this background of bigotry and discrimination—with its 

intermittent threat of physical danger—the predecessor organization of the 

JCRC was created in 1939—making it one of the oldest community relations 

councils in the country. The JCRC participated in the great transformation of 

attitudes towards the Jewish and minority communities following 1945. One 

of the highlights of this “emancipation” was the passage in Minneapolis of 

one of the first open housing and fair employment practices ordinances in the 

country in the late 1940’s, the principles of which were embodied in the Civil 

Rights Act of 1964. Advocacy for Israel also became critically important work 

for the JCRC after creation of the Jewish state in 1948 as did advocacy for 

Soviet Jews in the late 1960s and 1970s. 

JCRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2008–2009 

offiCeRs 

Brian Kamin, President* 

Cliff Greene, Vice President* 

Jim Jacobson, Vice President* 

Lisa Lane, Treasurer* 

Alene R. Grossman, Secretary* 

Alan Silver, Immediate Past President* 

Mort Ryweck, Executive Director 

Emeritus 

boaRd MeMbeRs 

Jeff Alch 

Robert Aronson 

Semyon Axelrod 

Jon Brod Farber 

David Burton 

Mitch Chargo 

Marty Chester* 

Dr. Alan Divine 

Charles Fodor 

Richard Fromstein* 

Larry Gibson 

Terry Gips 

Rebecca Glass 

Ellen Glatstein 

Mark Glotter 

Today, the JCRC is the primary agency tasked with fighting anti-Semitism, 

promoting tolerance and building bridges across racial, religious, economic, 

political and geographic lines. The JCRC works closely with elected and 

government officials at all levels to promote the principles of tikkun olam, 

to advocate for close U.S.-Israel relations and to provide greater support for 

Jewish social service agencies. In recent years, the JCRC has taken on a crucial 

security role in the Jewish community, providing timely guidance on Jewish 

communal matters, building relationships with key law enforcement agencies 

and coordinating community response to hate crimes. 

The JCRC programs and volunteers are interwoven throughout the Jewish and 

general communities, bringing the message of tolerance, respect and tikkun 

olam across the Upper Midwest. The JCRC also works closely with coalition 

partners to increase public awareness and advocate for progress on social justice 

issues such as housing, hunger, child welfare and civil rights. 

Along with the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the Minnesota Council 

of Churches, the JCRC is a founding member of the Joint Religious Legislative 

Coalition (JRLC), a collaborative advocacy effort to promote social justice 

issues at the state legislature. We are also proud of the strong community 

collaborations the JCRC currently has with St. Paul Area Council of Churches, 

Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic Center, Metropolitan Interfaith Coalition on 

Affordable Housing (MICAH), and the Greater Minneapolis Council of 

Churches Minnesota FoodShare program. 

Jeff Goldetsky 

Bruce Goldfarb 

Nancy Goldstein 

Mitch Gordon 

Bill Gotlieb 

Joyce Greene 

Harlan Jacobs 

Ted Kleiman 

Daniel Kleinberger 

Lou Lachter 

Steve Lear* 

Ilene Levin 

Joe Lifland 

Brian Lipschultz 

Sally Lorberbaum 

Jeff Oberman 

Richard Pins 

Ed Rapoport* 

Dan Rosen 

Stephen Rosenthal 

Carol Rosenthal 

Bob Rubinyi 

Mort Ryweck 

Karen Sachs 

Allen Saeks 

Steve Schumacher 

Susan Shapiro* 

Ilan Sharon 

Kent Simon 

Alan Weinblatt 

* JCRC executive 

committee member 


18

“ 

I wAs honoRed to shARe In the Yom hAshoAh seRvIce 

At Beth-el. It wAs extRemelY movIng, even to the 

poInt of teARs. thIs seRvIce Is A tReAsuRe foR All of us. 

whetheR we ARe Jews oR not, whetheR we ARe RelAted 

to vIctIms oR suRvIvoRs oR not. 

the seRvIce Asks thRee ImpoRtAnt questIons foR me: 

how cAn such A thIng hAppen? how do You suRvIve 

such An expeRIence? And how cAn we stop It fRom 

hAppenIng, even wIth less hoRRIfIc consequences, 

oveR And oveR AgAIn In humAn hIstoRY? 

” 

–The Rev. Grant Abbott, 

Executive Director of the 

St. Paul Area Council of Churches 

“ 

the Yom hAshoAh commemoRAtIon At Beth el 

sYnAgogue wAs A poweRful And movIng RememBRAnce 

occAsIon, As AlwAYs. As A chRIstIAn mInIsteR And 

colleAgue of the JcRc I cAme to mouRn, to gIve 

wItness, to AffIRm lIfe, to stAnd In solIdARItY wIth 

the JewIsh communItY, And 

” 

to JoIn In sAYIng, ‘neveR AgAIn!’ 

–The Rev. Dr. Gary Reierson, 

President of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches 

The Jewish Community Relations Council 

Of Minnesota and the Dakotas 

12 North 12th Street, Suite 480 

Minneapolis, MN 55403 

P: 612-338-7816 • F: 612-349-6569 

www.MinnDakJCRC.org 

JCRC STAFF 2008–2009 

Steve Hunegs, Executive Director 

Susan Lieberman, Director of Development 

Jacob Millner, Director of Public Affairs 

Ethan Roberts, Director of the Twin Cities Jewish 

Community Government Affairs Program 

Seth Skora, Director of Justice Squared 

Ruth Solom, Office Manager 

Anthony Sussman, Director of Communications 

and Community Security 

Laura Zelle, Director of Tolerance Minnesota 

Special Thanks to Susan Lieberman, Anthony Sussman 

and Emir Beganovic for their hard work on this report. 

Yom HaShoah Commemoration 2009 

Local Holocaust survivors gather at Beth El Synagogue in 

St. Louis Park to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

PaRt-tiMe staff 

Emir Beganovic, Annual Event and 

Annual Report Coordinator 

Holly Brod Farber, Director of the JCRC Speakers Bureau 

Claire Buchwald, Tolerance Minnesota and 

Holocaust Education 

Cheree Cannon, Assistant to the Executive Director 

Cara Fish, Justice Squared Program Coordinator 

Susie Greenberg, Tolerance Minnesota 

Color Project Coordinator 

suMMeR inteRns 

Sam Lane and Josh Parish

2009 AnnuAl RepoRt - Jewish Community Relations Council ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?