Buffalo JCRC Connections December 2019

Volume VIII | December 2019

CONNECTIONS

Linking you to the work of creating a more civil and caring community in WNY

Co-Chairs: Nina Lukin & Dr. Ted Steinberg | Director: Mara Koven-Gelman

Visit the JCRC Website

Buffalo JCRC's work falls into three broad areas: Social Justice, Combatting Hate and Discrimination, and Building Relationships with Ethnic, Faith, and Cultural Communities.

EDUCATE

LEARNING ABOUT SECURITY & COMBATING HATE

JCRC leadership was on the move in November to learn about security and combating hate. Nina Lukin attended the FED LAB Jewish Security & Empowerment in DC. Mara Koven-Gelman attended a Hate, Antisemitism and Social Responsibility teacher conference in Pittsburgh and the launch of the Levine Center to End Hate in Rochester.

Nina Lukin and Professor

Debora Lipstadt in DC

Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA

Levine Center to End Hate

in Rochester, NY

ADVOCATE

GRANT AWARDED

JCRC was awarded a NYS Council of the Arts (NYSCA) grant to bring high school students to meet artist and criminal justice advocate Valentino Dixon. The exhibit will be installed at the JCC Holland Building in May - June 2020. Thank you to JCRC Executive Board member, Deborah Goldman, for her amazing grant writing skills!

COMPLETE CENSUS COUNT 2020 UPDATE

After we held a Census 2020 Training workshop for community organizations, NFJC became a faith sub-committee of the CCC. They will be holding trainings and provide info at all their events/programs Additionally, St. Joseph's University Parish has shared Census information at events. All residents regardless of citizenship status should fill out the 2020 Census next year.

MOBILIZE - Get Involved

BJF ANNUAL MEETING IS TOMORROW!

The Buffalo Jewish Federation's 116th Annual Celebration and Meeting is tomorrow, December 4 at the Northland Workforce Training Center. Optional tours begin at 6 pm (along with some food!) and the business meeting begins at 7 pm. The theme of the event is the relationship-building work of JCRC, and the incredible leaders who make a difference in community relations. Awards will be given to Lana Benatovich, CEO of the National Federation for Just Communities, and Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein of Congregation Shir Shalom. We also have a special guest speaker, Marnie Fienberg, founder of 2forSeder.

From our co-chair, Dr. Ted Steinberg:

JCRC is not the new kid on the block. JCRC is the kid who left for awhile but who has returned with the mission of helping to strengthen the block, both on its own and by cooperating with the residents of other blocks in order to create a coherent community.

NATIONAL NEWS

PEW RESEARCH CENTER

Have you heard the saying, "People are friends you haven't previously met"? The Pew Research Center recently released a study on what some may seem is obvious. Knowing people from other religions means you are warmer toward them. Religious groups get warmest ratings from those with personal connections.