Volume XI | March 2020
CONNECTIONS
Linking you to the work of creating a more civil and caring community in WNY
Powered b y t he Buffalo Jewish Federation
Co-Chairs: Deborah Goldman & Nina Lukin | Director: Mara Koven-Gelman
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
Multicultural Women’s Group – Financial Literacy
Multicultural Women’s Group started their last group learning a Greek international dance before learning about Financial Literacy. Guests, M&T branch managers Tanitsha Sikes and Marisa Monroy led a discussion about different world cultural attitudes towards finances, importance of building credit, reviewing and maintain credit.   

ADVOCATE
Standing by Our Friends
Buffalo Jewish Federation and JCRC along with 75 other Jewish organizations signed onto a solidarity Letter to Chinese American and Chinese communities. During this time of rising xenophobia and racism towards the Chinese communities over the spread of the Coronavirus, we stand by our friends. 

Yanhong Baranski, president of local Chinese Club of WNY was very appreciative: “ The Chinese American and the Chinese communities of Western New York express their heartfelt gratitude for the support of the Jewish community in Western New York and the entire United States. This conveys a very special sense of solidarity.”
Read the solidarity letter in English and Chinese HERE
MOBILIZE - Get Involved
U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins signs letter to provide increased security funds
U.S. Representative Brian Higgins signed a letter to advocate for increased funds to Non-Profit Security Grants FY2021. The national request is $360 million including $140 million for NYS communities outside NYC. The letter requires 100 representatives before moving to the Senate. Rep. Higgins signed the letter after receiving information provided by Buffalo JCRC supported by JFNA’s legislative affairs staff. You can read the letter HERE . 
Voter Registration Training   
Voice Buffalo will be holding a voter registration training March 12th 5:30-7:30 P.M. Many members of the Jewish Community are attending. Please contact Mara if you want to help with this priority civic responsibility.

How about you?
Register to vote here.

Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Check here.
Counting the Young Children in the 2020 Census

An estimate of 5 percent of kids under the age of 5 were not counted in the 2010 Census. That is 1 million children including babies, the highest of any age group. Think of all the benefits children and their parents need in those initial years including universal pre-k. Help to close that gap – encourage your organization to be part of Complete Census Count.

Contact Mara
STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS
NEW YORK STATE

Governor Cuomo launched the 'No Hate in Our State' Campaign to Combat Hate, Division and Anti-Semitism in New York State.

See video HERE
JCPA 2020
JCRC Co-Chair Reflects on JCPA 2020 Annual Meeting

Deborah Goldman, JCRC co-chair, and Mara Koven-Gelman, director, traveled to the JCPA 2020 Annual Conference in Washington D.C. The interactive conference included: national experts on combating hate and antisemitism, encouraging civil discussion in polarizing times, criminal justice reform, addressing climate change and church and state non-discrimination issues. Over 80 JCRCs and national organizations were in attendance.

Read Deborah’s reflection HERE .

JCPA 2020 ADOPTS SIX RESOLUTIONS

JCPA 2020 Delegates Assembly at the recent February JCPA Annual Conference adopted six resolutions. T he resolutions cover gun violence prevention, antisemitism, restorative and rehabilitative justice, government workers’ right to unionize, federal judicial nominations, and the provision of Kashruth food at JCPA-sponsored meetings.

Read them HERE :
BUFFALO JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jody Biehl
Ann Marie Carosella
Adam Fogel
Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein
Phyllis Steinberg
Dr. Theodore Steinberg