May 2026

Welcome to Gesher (‘Bridge’ in Hebrew) – JCRC's monthly impact newsletter to keep you informed on our work and the challenges and opportunities before our community.

JCRC Annual Event

JCRC Annual Event: Reclaiming Our Story, Featuring Sarah Hurwitz

Join JCRC for a conversation with Sarah Hurwitz, author of As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Shame, Blame, and Try to Erase Us – an urgent exploration of how antisemitism shapes Jewish identity and how Jews can reclaim their tradition.

Her book has been praised as “Beautifully written and brilliantly argued, As a Jew is that rare book that defines an historical moment. The American Jewish awakening is upon us, and Sarah Hurwitz is its prophet.” — Yossi Klein Halevi, author of New York Times bestseller Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor.

Sunday, June 7, 5:30 PM, Downtown Minneapolis with

dinner and dessert reception

PURCHASE TICKETS

Become a sponsor | Advertise in our ad book

Thank you to our sponsors to date!

Platinum ($10K+) Bob & Bobbi Aronson, Amy & Stan Baratz, Jacy & Jason Grais, Jim Jacobson & Andrea Kaufman, Stan & Jeanne Kagin, Mort & Merle Kane, Hart & Susan Kuller, Kevin & Nancy Rhein, Lerner Publishing Group, Bryan & Nina Badzin, Mark & Debbie Glotter, Elmar Family Foundation, Barbara & Gary Krupp, Steve Lear, Gail & Steve Machov, Minnesota Vikings Football

Gold ($5K+) Allianz, Judy & Richard Cook, Linda & Mike Fiterman, Fredrikson & Byron PA, Lynn Golberstein, Sharron Steinfeldt, Mark & Beth Robbins, Wendy & Nissim Khabie, Jon & Robin Parritz, Bonnie & Steve Heller, Madeira Partners, Gil & Debbie Mann, Steve & Wendy Rubin, Allen & Linda Saeks, Don & Rhoda Mains

Silver ($3K+) Marilyn Levi-Baumgarten & Allan Baumgarten, Raleigh & Rich Fromstein, Mall of America, Minnesota Jewish Community Foundation, Sholom Foundation, JFCS, CBIZ, Milavetz Law, Dorsey and Whitney LLP, Jeff Oberman & Kathy Conner

More Upcoming Events

Personal Safety Training: Awareness and Response

Tuesday, May 12, 6:00-7:30 PM, St. Paul

An introduction to situational awareness and countering active threats. When we are all trained, we can show up more proudly and confidently in our daily lives and sacred spaces.

Violins of Hope

Presented by the Minnesota JCC

May and June

A world-renowned collection of 70 instruments that survived the Holocaust, this residency shares their stories and places them into the hands of musicians through concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, book talks, family programs, and worship services across Minnesota. As a sponsor, JCRC is bringing Violins of Hope educational opportunities to middle and high schools and local churches. Additionally, JCRC is speaking at senior residences in partnership with MacPhail musicians, where the violins are played and their story is shared alongside how music took part in the Holocaust both as resistance and by force.

View the schedule for public events

JCRC Staff Column

The Legacy of Stan Shapiro z"l: Judaism and Israel Education

Holly Brod Farber and Sally Abrams

Directors of Judaism and Israel Education

Education is at the core of JCRC’s mission. Each year, we reach thousands of students, teachers, and community members across public, private, Catholic, suburban, and rural schools. We teach Jewish identity, history, peoplehood, and antisemitism — and that Judaism is not only a religion, but a culture, a people, and a civilization that brought groundbreaking ideas to humanity. We teach about our homeland, Israel, our identity as “Am Yisrael” and the fact that our peoplehood is bound to our homeland in a story that is both as ancient and modern as we are.

This work is only possible because of supporters like The Stan Shapiro Judaism and Israel Education Fund, created to honor the life and legacy of Stan Shapiro z”l — a WWII veteran, devoted family man, and a builder of community with unwavering integrity. Deeply rooted in his love for Israel and the Jewish people, Stan believed profoundly in dor l’dor, generation to generation. Together with his beloved wife Sandi, he instilled these values in their children and grandchildren.

Trending Now

One big thing we're focused on

The next generation of Jewish leaders impresses us all

After 7 monthly sessions of in depth learning to find their voice and know their story, our second cohort of JCRC Youth Fellows for Jewish Identity and Leadership culminated their learning with a Capstone Project gallery walk with an estimated 150 visitors. These 11th and 12th grade fellows amazed us with their knowledge and thoughtfulness on a wide variety of creative topics that centered on family history, zionism, Israel, and countering anti-Jewish bigotry. Feedback from visitors emphasized the strength of this program in seeding confidence, pride and joy in the Jewish identity of these future leaders.

From a fellow, to teens considering the Youth Fellowship next year: "Join it! You will be happy you did. Not only will you expand your knowledge on Judaism, Zionism, Israel and more, but you will meet people and learn things you otherwise wouldn't have.”

From a parent of a fellow: "What an amazing investment in the future of world Jewry! You have instilled pride in Jewish children and helped fortify them as they engage with the wider world and college campuses.”

Applications for our next cohort are now open.

Apply for the 2026-27 JCRC Youth Fellowship for Jewish Identity & Leadership

For rising 11th and 12th graders

Building Bridges

Recent impact highlights from JCRC

Education

US Holocaust Memorial Museum One Day Trip

On April 28, 185 participants flew with JCRC for our annual visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC. For participants from the military, police and first responders, JCRC provided a guided tour of the permanent exhibit through a law enforcement lens by Eli Rosenbaum (pictured second from left), who retired after a 38 year career at the Department of Justice where he led the investigation and prosecution of human rights violators: from World War ll Nazi criminals to Rwandan war criminals. We also thank Tom McIntyre (pictured left), a former Justice Department colleague and USHMM volunteer docent who partnered to lead the JCRC military and law enforcement delegation tour. We thank the Minnesota Vikings for their sponsorship.

Advocacy

JCRC Habitat for Humanity Crew

We thank our volunteers on the JCRC-sponsored Habitat for Humanity crew. A 25 year tradition stemming from our commitment to community outreach, this dedicated volunteer group puts in 6-7 hours every Friday.

TC Jewfolk published a lovely feature on the current crew coordinator, Mike Frisch; and most of the team attended Habitat for Humanity's Annual Volunteer Summit. New members welcome!

Read the feature