The Activist
Nancy Zaretsky, Chair
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Tracey Spiegelman, Vice Chair
Carol Brick-Turin, Director
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Jacob Markey, Associate
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Dear Friends,
As my tenure as JCRC Chair comes to a close in June, I would like to say a few words.
Wearing the badge of Federation and advocating for our community has been my honor. Whether attending a meeting in Miami, Tallahassee or Washington, D.C., I have stood just a little bit taller, knowing that my job was to share the story of the Miami Jewish community's contributions and concerns. Advocating to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, to support the most vulnerable of our elderly, to fund our security initiatives and to raise awareness on human trafficking and gun violence has been a humbling experience. We have moved the needle on many issues through bipartisan support on a county, state and federal level. And we have worked tirelessly to strengthen relationships with our non-Jewish colleagues in common cause to fight hate and bigotry.
My era with the JCRC has also been framed within the larger era of polarization in politics, economics and social policy. It has become commonplace to vilify someone from the other party or from the other side of town. Therefore, our JCRC has actively sought to underline mutual respect for differing opinions by bringing in speakers such as Rabbi Melissa Weintraub of Resetting the Table and Robbie Gringras of Makom, two organizations that brought depth to the JCRC's efforts to give our community tools to have difficult conversations with respect. Frankly, we specialize in difficult conversations. Yet, these times have been especially crushing because of the rise of anti-Semitism and the assassination of Jews while they pray. Do not let anyone blame this on fellow Jews, of one party or the other, dangerously creating support of Israel and our Judaism as a wedge issue. This is exactly the time we pull together and not let others pull us apart. I ask that we not vilify our fellow Jews, that we respectfully disagree and find common ground to meet upon and together put one foot in front of the other for our community, for our safety and for our future.
It has been my honor serving in this role and I look forward to continuing to advocate for our community. I wish Tracey Spiegelman, who will assume the role starting in July, fulfillment and success.
Sincerely,
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9th Annual JCRC-Major Gifts Mission to Washington, D.C.
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Over 20 volunteer leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. on April 3-4 for our 9th annual JCRC/Major Gifts Mission. Participants met with members of Florida’s congressional delegation and advocated on key issues impacting our local community. They also received briefings from JFNA and JCPA, the Pentagon, the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security and connected with some of the most influential people in D.C.
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JCRC Advocates in Tallahassee
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JCRC was in Tallahassee this winter and spring to advocate for our Greater Miami Jewish community. Our partner agencies, including JCS and MARJCC, received nearly $400,000 in funding for the upcoming year.
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Israel Education and Civil Discourse
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Resetting the Table Workshops
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Rabbi Melissa Weintraub of Resetting the Table returned to Miami in February to conduct two seminars on creating dialogue across difficult conversations. Participants engaged in lively conversations and developed skills for speaking across differences.
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JCRC at Stand Against Hate Event
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From Left: ADL Deputy Regional Director, Yael Hershfield; JCRC Director, Carol Brick-Turin; StandWithUs Southeast Regional Director, Sara Gold Raffel; and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Mirta Laufer
JCRC Director Carol Brick-Turin moderated a panel conversation at Women’s Philanthropy’s Stand Against Hate event in February. The panel focused on how to combat anti-Semitism as a family, and included participants from the ADL and StandWithUs and a licensed marriage and family therapist.
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JCRC Collaborates with International and North Dade Divisions
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JCRC Director Carol Brick-Turin speaks at the event
JCRC collaborated with Federation's International and North Dade Divisions on a Spanish-speaking event in March. Participants heard a presentation that discussed worldwide anti-Semitism, combating BDS and the Israeli election.
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Israeli Election Lunch & Learn
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Following the election in Israel in April, JCRC Associate Jacob Markey led a Lunch & Learn for GMJF professionals. He gave an overview of Israel's political system, reviewed what happened in the election, discussed what the next Knesset might look like and delved into what the results could mean for the future of Israel and for the U.S.-Israel relationship.
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June 6, 2019
2018-2019 Closing Meeting
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
GMJF
July 16, 2019
AMIA Anniversary Memorial Service
7:00 PM
Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus
July or August 2019
JCRC/AIPAC/Network Event
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Accessing Federal Funding
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Every year, the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) application opens, allowing institutions the chance to submit grants for security improvements. JCRC again assisted our community in the process, conducting a Zoom webinar to walk institutions through the process of applying and reviewing grant applications. Last year, Miami-Dade Jewish institutions received over $1 million from this program. We hope that this process helps organizations in our community receive funding.
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Intergroup and Interfaith Engagement
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JCRC Holds Annual Advocacy Seder
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From Left: Rabbi Ralph Kingsley; Rabbi Steve Gutow; Rabbi Fred Klein; Rabbi Sol Schiff; Rabbi Robyn Fisher; Rabbi Cheryl Weiner
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On April 11, JCRC, supported by Women’s Philanthropy and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami, held its annual Advocacy Seder, highlighting human trafficking. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle discussed her office’s work fighting human trafficking, a survivor of human trafficking shared her powerful story and a diverse array of interfaith and community organizations came together for this special event.
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Labeling Soaps on Super Sunday
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JCRC Associate Jacob Markey educates teens about the scourge of human trafficking
On Super Sunday in March, teens from March of the Living learned about the scourge of human trafficking and participated in a project to label 2000 soaps. Each label contains a number to a local hotline that people can contact to report cases of human trafficking. These soaps will be distributed at a later date to local establishments.
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JCRC a Partner at Transgender Awareness Event
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JCRC was proud to be a partner of the ADL’s Transgender Awareness event in March. A panel of individuals shared their stories and offered wisdom and advice for engagement.
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JCRC at Pride Parade 2019
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From Left: Israeli Deputy Consul General, Guy Gilady; Israeli Consul General, Lior Haiat; JCRC Associate, Jacob Markey; Network Associate, Johana Wiznitzer; Israeli Deputy Consul General, Kasa Binesai-Harbor
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JCRC was proud to march in the 2019 Pride Parade with our friends at the Consulate General of Israel in Miami and A Wider Bridge.
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The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), a standing Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, serves as the public policy and advocacy arm of Federation and is the instrument through which the organized Jewish community can explore and develop policies on issues affecting the community. The JCRC educates and engages the Jewish community on key international, federal, state, and local issues, builds consensus, establishes relationships and builds coalitions with ethnic, religious, governmental and civic organizations and the media, to ensure a vibrant community that is able to take positions and advocate in pursuit of social justice.
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The Mission of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is to mobilize human and financial resources to care for those in need, strengthen Jewish life and advance the unity, values and shared purpose of the Jewish people in Miami, in Israel and around the world.
Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Stanley C. Myers Building
4200 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 576-4000
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