January 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.

.הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, אִם אֵין אֲנִי לִי, מִי לִי. וּכְשֶׁאֲנִי לְעַצְמִי, מָה אֲנִי
?וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתַי

He [Rabbi Hillel] used to say: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” Pirkei Avot 1:14

These words ground our commitments to both Am Yisrael and our shared civic life. At this moment of deep polarization, we are called to address both anti-Jewish hostility and the ICE surge.

Both issues demand our attention, engagement, and leadership. In this Gesher, you'll see how we seek to live by Rav Hillel’s timeless wisdom. Keep an eye out in the days ahead for opportunities to engage with us on these critical issues.

Staff Reflections

Choosing Proximity: The Case for Liberal Zionism – What two Israeli women taught me about what resisting terror really means

By Rabbi Jill Avrin, Director of Campus Affairs

Jan 15, 2026

“The closer you are to something, the more you see the real picture of what is going on there. The farther away you get, the reality starts to fade, and eventually you end up in La La Land.” This wisdom was imparted by Sameer Sinijalawi, a Palestinian leader calling for the Palestinian national movement to recognize Israel as a Jewish state a pre-requisite for a Palestinian state.

Sameer was one of 30 leaders I met with in Israel last week, as part of a delegation of 25 rabbis participating in the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue of NYC Amplify Israel initiative.

But the stories of two women, who are as close to the reality here as anyone, showed me what true resistance against evil looks like.

Read full column

"The Jewish people are not okay"—Finding the light to beat back the darkness

By Ethan Roberts, Deputy Executive Director
photo: What remains of the synagogue's library (Beth Israel Congregation)

Jan 15, 2026

In the aftermath of the antisemitic arson attack on Mississippi’s largest synagogue, when we say threats to our community come from across the political spectrum, we are describing a lived reality.

Read reflection

Attend your precinct caucus | Support rebuilding of Beth Israel Congregation

God heard the cries of Israelites in Egypt. Who will respond to our devastation in Minnesota? – Powerful lessons from Parashat Shemot

By Rabbi Jill Avrin, Director of Campus Affairs
photo: Interfaith vigil for Renée Nicole Good. (Genevieve Parker)

Jan 9, 2026

Reflecting on Parashat Shemot, we must hear the cries of those living in fear after the tragic killing of Renée Nicole Good and the escalating violence of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. The surge of ICE agents has brought fear, not safety.

Read reflection

Attend your precinct caucus

Statements

In Grief and Clarity: Confronting Antizionism – In the wake of terror in Bondi Beach, defining the ideological driver of today's anti-Jewish hostility is the first step to confronting it.

Trending Now

One big thing we're focused on

Iran on the Brink: A Community Briefing with Ali Alizadeh and Sami Rahamim

Webinar

Wednesday, January 21 | 12:00 PM

Something big is happening in Iran. Across its vast country, courageous Iranian patriots are challenging the ruling regime–and the regime is responding with brutal force.

What led us to this point?
Why are some analysts optimistic that this uprising will end differently than other sustained protests of the past two decades?
What possibilities might emerge of the regime falls?

Join Iranian American entrepreneur Ali Alizadeh and JCRC’s Sami Rahamim for a candid community briefing at this historic inflection point. Ali and Sami recently travelled to Israel together on JCRC’s Israel Study Tour, and co-authored a commentary in the Minnesota Star Tribune during the “12 Day War” in June 2025.

Upcoming Events

Conversation with Jack El-Hai, Author of The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, now the major motion picture Nuremberg

Sunday, January 25, 2:00-3:30 PM | University of St. Thomas

Free and open to the public. Hear from the author whose book was adapted to the screen as Nuremberg starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek.

Learn more

Holocaust Educators Cohort

January 28-March 18 | 8 weekly Wednesday evenings on Zoom

Free, and continuing education credits available.

Learn more

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 27 | I-35 Bridge will be illuminated in yellow

Minnesota will participate in a national commemorative effort to illuminate America in yellow. The I-35 St. Anthony Falls Bridge will be lit in yellow on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp.

Learn more

Lessons from Holocaust perpetrators & Rwanda peacekeepers: Why should people entrusted with using deadly force study the Holocaust and genocides?

Wednesday, February 11 | University of St.Thomas (12:00-1:00 PM) and St. Cloud State University (5:30-6:30 PM)

Dr. David Frey is a professor of history and founder of the Resnick Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies at the US Military Academy West Point.

Learn more

NEW! Certificate Program: History and Pedagogy for Holocaust and Genocide Education

Applications due January 31 | In-person and virtual sessions

This program will assist teachers to effectively meet state and national educational standards, including the new MN standards in Holocaust and genocide education. Upon completion, participants will earn certification and Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Learn more

Save the Date: 2026 JCRC Annual Event

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

Now accepting nominations for the Leo Weiss Courage to Teach Award. Nominate a local educator who embodies decency, righteousness, and integrity in their devotion to teaching their students about the Holocaust.

Building Bridges

Recent impact highlights from JCRC

Relationships

All of us can be the light through the darkness

We are deeply grateful that more than 200 people came to celebrate Hanukkah with JCRC on a snowy December evening. As we lit our Hanukkiya, we heard from St. Paul Mayor-elect Kaohly Her, Senators Warren Limmer and Ron Latz, House GOP Floor Leader Harry Niska, and Chabad U of M Rabbi Yitzi Steiner. Each echoed the same message: we must continue to be the light that shines through the darkness.

Education

JCRC Youth Fellowship for Jewish Identity & Leadership

Through a teen-led exploration of Jewish communal organizations, youth fellows examined how Jewish values inspire social action in healthcare, disaster relief, environmental sustainability, advocacy, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Students heard from former St. Paul Shaliach Yedidya Yasu who shared from Israel the history and resilience of Ethiopian Jews including his family and reinforced how shared values inspire activism and responsibility for both Jews and non-Jews.