Volume II | April 2019
CONNECTIONS
Linking you to the work of creating a more civil and caring community in WNY
Powered by the Buffalo Jewish Federation
Co-Chairs: Nina Lukin & Dr. Ted Steinberg | Director: Mara Koven-Gelman
Buffalo JCRC work falls into three broad areas: Social Justice, Combatting Hate and Discrimination, and Building Relationships with Ethnic, Faith, and Cultural Communities.
EDUCATE - Criminal Justice Reform is a Priority
Learning from Resilience
JCRC Co-Chair Nina Lukin wrote in the April Buffalo Jewish Journal, "The inequalities people of color suffer at the hands of the criminal justice system constitutes one of the most pressing civil rights issues in the U.S." Read her full article on why this is a top priority for the Jewish community and her meeting Valentino Dixon - a Buffalonian who served 27 years in jail for a crime he did not commit. His artwork helped him endure this long painful journey. Read the full article HERE


Combating Hate
Learn about combating White Supremacy, Terrorism
and Gun Violence at UB on April 3 at 7:15 PM
Edreys Wajed's New Play
See an intense and triumphant new stage play, Sidewalk by the multi-faceted artist Edreys Wajed whose art is also featured at Burchfield Penny's Contemporary Portraiture exhibit. Sidewalk runs through April 7, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 4 pm, at the Paul Robesoon Theatre in the African American Cultural Center

ADVOCATE - BPO and Parkside
Sensitivity while building bridges
JCRC worked with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on the upcoming co-commissioned work "Passion Of Yeshua," a piece about the last 12 hours of Jesus' life. While the composer's intent was to bring together Jews and Christians, JCRC with the help of the Network of Religious Communities shared the fact this piece of history is the basis for anti-Semitism for centuries. (specifically that Jews told the Romans to kill Jesus.) The BPO agreed to insert this JCRC Statement into the program booklet distributed at the performance. We're is grateful to co-chair Ted Steinberg who crafted the insert.
White Supremacist Flyers in Parkside
JCRC immediately offered support to Parkside Community Association when flyers were distributed in the Parkside area near Delaware Park. JCRC also reached out to the local FBI to ensure they were aware. Media Coverage and Parkside Community Association Meeting April 2

MOBILIZE - Get Involved
Seders- Making News Friends
Kadimah Academy will lead a mock Passover Seder at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center April 10th 12:30-1:30 p.m. Over 90 Roswell employees are expected to attend. If you want to attend contact Mara.

Buffalo Open Seder 2019 - There is still time to host people of other faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. Contact Mara

Tour the Northland Workforce Training Center as part of NAACP (JCRC is a member) monthly meeting. Find out more about this important and innovative job training and creation center which is part of the Buffalo Billion. Click Here

Civic Learning
Partnership for Public Good Civic Engagement Workshops:

Working with Data - Thursday, May 2, 2019, 12:30-2 pm

Competency and Inclusion Training - May 15, 2019, 12:30-2:30 pm
Supporting the Muslim community
JCRC is grateful how our community reached out and supported the local Muslim community in the aftershock of the terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand. This would not have been possible without so many of the wonderful relationships/pathways that have been created or enhanced over the last year. Here is the official JCRC Statement.
Update from Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Building a Strong Future
This is a poignant moment to look to the future. We are in the midst of societal and political changes, and JCRC/JCPA are uniquely positioned to provide the critical leadership and guidance needed to keep American Judaism safe and secure and American democracy thriving. 

BUFFALO JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jody Biehl
Hadar Borden
Deborah Goldman
Rachel Kranitz McPhee
Rabbi Alex Lazarus Klein
Margery Nobel
Phyllis Steinberg