2020 IMPACT REPORT - Jewish Community Relations ...
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JCRC of Greater Boston
Kraft Family Building | 126 High Street | Boston, MA 02110
617.457.8600 | jcrcboston.org
info@jcrcboston.org
BostonJCRC
BostonJCRC
2020 IMPACT REPORT
JCRC IN 2021:
Letter from the DEFENDING
Executive Director & President JEREMY BURTON
Executive Director
STACEY BLOOM
President DEMOCRACY page 5
FIGHTING FOR
WE CANNOT YET SAY how our reality will be permanently altered in the wake of the coronavirus and In the pages of this report, you will read about the RACIAL JUSTICE page 7
the enduring crises we have faced this year. But there is one realization from this chapter of the resolve, steadfastness, and care that drove JCRC’s
story we’re living through: JCRC’s commitment to fulfilling its mission remains constant. When the work this year. Together, we endeavored to achieve
COMBATING
pandemic hit, our response was deeply rooted in our understanding of JCRC’s core purpose. JCRC’s vision of a Greater Boston where the policy
ANTISEMITISM
Our work has proven essential to Boston’s Jewish community time and time again. Throughout priorities of the Jewish community are implemented,
& HATRED page 9
the global health crisis and economic downturn, JCRC helped Jewish agencies and local non- and Jewish social service agencies are well-funded.
profits secure critical federal, state and local funding to address immediate needs. We combatted Thank you to every JCRC partner, donor, volunteer,
and leader who worked with us this year. WORKING FOR
rising COVID-related food insecurity, homelessness, and economic devastation. And during the
IMMIGRANT
simultaneous resurgence of the movement for racial justice, JCRC galvanized the Jewish community Writing this in February 2021, we can’t tell you what JUSTICE page 11
of our region to stand with our partners in the Black community. We committed to dismantling the story will be in a year from now, but we can tell
racism and advocated for the social services network, leveraging our partnerships to compel action. you how we’re going to meet the moment: through
At every step of the way, the organized Jewish community has stepped in to extend a hand of ADVOCATING FOR
our deep, lasting relationships with elected officials,
support and solidarity. ALL MA RESIDENTS page 13
interfaith clergy, and civic leaders throughout
This year, JCRC transitioned quickly to respond to the evolving needs of the Greater Boston Greater Boston.
community, finding innovative ways to mobilize our community members, such as our new CONNECTING
virtual Speaker Series, engaging leaders in the community with crucial issues such as Defending We will continue to work collectively for the health TO ISRAEL page 15
Democracy and Combating White Supremacy. and vibrancy of our broader Boston community.
We will continue to amplify the broad center of our BUILDING
At the same time, JCRC’s commitment to our core mission never wavered. We stayed true to our PARTNERSHIPS
community and honor the integrity of our civic space.
mandate to create consensus in our diverse community and advocate for the collective needs and We will continue to ensure that we are authentically THROUGH SERVICE page 17
priorities of the Jewish community of Greater Boston. Despite our physical distance, we strengthened representing Jewish concerns in the hardest
relationships with elected officials, bolstered partnerships in the interfaith community, advocated on conversations and the moments of crisis that
behalf of Israel, and took steps to keep our community secure. impact us all.
1 2
Our Response to COVID
As more members of our
Greater Boston community
struggled to meet basic
needs, JCRC worked with
our partners to uphold the Above: Governor Charlie Baker.
social safety net and to JCRC and GBIO worked directly
with Baker’s re-opening task force.
promote equitable access to Left: A volunteer at 2Life Communities.
resources for Boston’s most
vulnerable populations. JCRC’s
advocacy and organizing team
advocated for our neighbors,
fighting to secure resources for OUR RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC INCLUDED:
those who needed it the most
• Leading the charge with our colleagues across the country and our partners
during this time. at Jewish Federations of North America to urge Congress to expand the
Paycheck Protection Loan (PPP) program for vital nonprofits. After our initial
success in making sure that nonprofits were included in the first round of Small
Business Administration (SBA) PPP loans, we worked to ensure that the next phase
of the legislation calling for an additional $250 billion for the SBA loans was
accessible to larger nonprofits and that unemployment insurance was available
OUR WEEKLY “TAKE ACTION” to previously ineligible employees in the Commonwealth. We continued to
CAMPAIGN EMAILS provided advocate for additional funds to further address community needs in subsequent
opportunities for our community to legislative packages.
support our partners during the crisis,
• Working directly with Gov. Baker’s re-opening task force to make sure that
including 72 young adult volunteers
Jewish concerns were heard. With our partners in the Greater Boston Interfaith
who called and bought groceries for Organization (GBIO), we organized and led a presentation from faith communities
residents of residents of Hebrew Senior to the re-opening task force, to ensure that faith communities and house of
Life or 2Life Communities. worship were understood as an “essential” part of the fabric of the community
and of any successful re-opening.
• Helping a food pantry obtain kosher certification for distribution of
needed food.
• Advocating for day cares, summer camps and preschools to receive funding
for PPE and to sustain their operations during the pandemic.
• Pivoting to a virtual speaker series to engage leaders in the community on
critical issues.
Residents at 2Life communities with their groceries
3 4
Defending
Democracy
We at JCRC believe that no one should
be forced to make an impossible
choice between protecting their
personal health and safety, and their
right to vote.
JCRC ADVOCATED FOR YES ON 2,
The principles adopted by our Council
the campaign to adopt
for defending democracy guided our
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in OUR WORK TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY INCLUDED:
response to the challenges our country
Massachusetts. We educated our
community about how this voting faced in conducting a free, fair, and • Working with partner organizations to successfully pass a sweeping new
system enhances democracy, and safe election. Elections law, ensuring safe and accessible elections for voters in 2020 across
Massachusetts, including vote-by-mail legislation, expanding absentee voting,
the benefits of adopting ranked
We acted on our commitment to preserving in-person voting, carefully balancing the safety of poll workers and
choice voting, including convening
upholding a robust democratic voters, minimizing suppressive tactics, and expanding early voting options.
an explanatory discussion with
process and ensuring that elections • Advocating for immediate federal action and funding to support state and
two of the leaders of the campaign,
local elections, implementation of these reforms, and ensuring the United
Evan Falchuk, campaign chair, and in the Commonwealth reflect the
States Postal Service’s capacity and solvency to meet the increased demands
Tanisha M. Sullivan, honorary co- diversity of voices in our community. from the COVID-19 pandemic.
chair and President of the NAACP
• Running a wide-ranging Get Out the Vote campaign to educate our
Boston (pictured right). community for the primary and general elections, and shaping the debate on
the Massachusetts 4th district congressional race, one of particular interest to
the Jewish community, given that it has the largest Jewish population of any
seat in New England (with 75,000 Jews). JCRC provided multiple opportunities
for the community to learn about the candidates and their positions.
• In partnership with the Mass Council of Churches and the Black Ministerial
Alliance, we worked directly with municipal officials and law enforcement to
be pro-active and prepare clergy for any potential violence after the elections,
such as targeting of houses of worship and communities, including our own.
• Inviting Director of ACLU’s Racial Justice Program Rahsaan Hall to discuss
safe and fair elections, defending democracy in the age of COVID-19 with the
JCRC Council.
5 6
Fighting for Racial Justice with our Partners JCRC SPEAKER SERIES
SPOTLIGHT
Reverend Liz Walker
and Bakari Sellers
On the work ahead in pursuit
of racial justice in our country,
and how we as a community can
act in support of racial justice
and equity.
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization Co-Chair
Beverly Williams, Councilor Edwards, Tema Smith
REV. LIZ WALKER BAKARI SELLERS
Roxbury Presbetyrian New York Times
Church Bestselling Author and
OUR WORK TO FIGHT FOR CNN Commentator
RACIAL JUSTICE:
• JCRC successfully advocated with our partners HIGHLIGHTS FROM
in the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization to THE CONVERSATION:
pass a Police Reform bill, which created a system “A lot of people want this to be a
for certifying and decertifying officers (the first moment, but for people like Reverend
in the country led by civilians), imposed limits on Walker and myself, this is a movement...
the use of force and imposed limits on the use Let’s go out here and push forward
of force, chokeholds, and no-knock warrants, these policies together, find the people
ban racial profiling and put enforcement powers who want to work with us, and be the
behind that ban; and end the requirement of change we want to see.”
police officers in schools.
-BAKARI SELLERS
• We invited Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards
The weeks and months after George Floyd’s to speak with leaders from our network of
“We’ve got a lot of work still ahead of
member agencies for a candid conversation
murder were a profound moment in our nation’s about housing and criminal and racial justice.
us, and we do not want to miss this
moment. People should talk about their
reckoning with our legacy of systemic racism.
• We engaged Diversity Advocate Tema Smith own pain, their privileges, and their
But moments can be fleeting and windows too to to train the JCRC Council on more effectively own experiences with each other. Find
often close. In a moment that called for decisive engaging and representing Jews of Color. your own way to find out more about
action, JCRC committed to listening to our difference.”
• We provided consultation to local synagogues
partners in the Black community, to honor their on meaningful ways to connect with Black
-REVEREND LIZ WALKER
priorities and to make them our own. community partners and advance racial equity.
7 8
Combating Antisemitism and Hatred
YOM HASHOAH
In recent years, we have
Amplifying the voices of survivors and
eyewitnesses to history has never been more watched with horror as
JCRC ENSURES FUNDING crucial. In April, we held a virtual Yom HaShoah expressions and acts of
FOR SECURITY GRANTS gathering with 330 members of our community antisemitism have increased
to honor our local Holocaust survivors and in this country, and Holocaust
$1.5M transmit their legacy. The program, led by
Combined Jewish Philanthropies President &
denial and ignorance have
reached alarming proportions. We
FOR NONPROFIT SECURITY CEO Rabbi Marc Baker, included a message
IN THE 2020 STATE BUDGET at JCRC have risen to meet these
from Governor Baker expressing his solidarity
INCLUDING: challenges by joining with our interfaith
with our community.
and legislative partners to fight hatred
$800K and bigotry in every form, by educating
SECURITY FUNDING FOR “Thank you to JCRC for all you do to keep this the next generation, and leveraging
particular history in our hearts and in our
31 minds. It’s so important that we never forget
public funding to safeguard Jewish
JEWISH COMMUNAL and are always vigilant. We should honor institutions under threat. Executive Director Jeremy Burton receiving MA House
ORGANIZATIONS resolution marking Holocaust Remembrance Day
and remember all those who were lost, and
we should always stand up for our Jewish
neighbors and our Jewish friends anywhere, OUR WORK TO COMBAT
$1M anywhere, always.” ANTISEMITISM AND HATRED INCLUDED:
IN FUNDING FOR 2021 BUDGET – CHARLIE BAKER, Governor
AND
of Massachusetts • The year began with a solidarity letter from Christian leaders in Boston – many of whom we have
formed strong, deep partnerships with over many years. They brought together over 1,000 Christian
$1M leaders from across MA to sign a letter decrying violence against Jews.
IN GENERAL NONPROFIT SECURITY
FUNDING FOR 2021 BUDGET
• This year, JCRC and our partners championed An Act Concerning Genocide Education,
which passed the Senate, and if signed into law, will promote Holocaust education in MA schools. JCRC
joined with ADL, the Armenian National Committee, and over 50 community organizations to support
the bill, which moved out of Committee and unanimously passed the Senate with momentum to enact
it in the upcoming session.
• We are creating mobile and virtual tours of the New England Holocaust Memorial to launch in June
2021, which will provide essential education on the legacy of the Holocaust, the voices of survivors
telling their own stories while they are still able to provide their own testimony.
Candle lighting
for JCRC‘s Virtual
• JCRC held our 14th annual Israel Arbeiter Holocaust Essay Contest, with hundreds of entries from
Yom HaShoah local middle and high school students, and six winners honored during our virtual Yom HaShoah
Commemoration program, each of whom were awarded educational scholarships.
9 10
Working for Immigrant Justice
o
As COVID ravaged prisons across
America as well as the economy,
OUR NETWORK: our immigration work prioritized the
RAISED safety of those detained not only in
Boston, but across the country.
$1.3M+
FOR BOND FUNDING We joined with our interfaith
partners in raising funds to pay
BONDED bonds at crucial moments when
260+ other funds were depleted. And we
PEOPLE from detention supported families facing financial
and health challenges, leveraging
many of our resources to add
1,000 additional support to immigrant
ASYLUM SEEKERS
were provided legal families in our networks impacted
support at court hearings by the pandemic.
50+
JEWISH
HOUSEHOLDS STORY SPOTLIGHT:
provided housing to people KJ GRANTED ASYLUM
released from detention
In 2018, JCRC met K.J.*, a Ugandan asylum seeker, one of many
hundreds of
detainees we connected with in our work to seek justice for immigrants and
refugees. With our partners, JCRC helped secure pro bono legal support for him
JEWISH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS as he worked to gain asylum. With JCRC’s encouragement, K.J. became a resource
found legal support for immigrants for synagogue communities seeking to learn more about the inhumane conditions
endured by people in immigration detention. In his presentations, K.J. stressed
the critical importance of the community of support we have built for people in
detention. Though K.J.’s lawyer, a member of a synagogue we engaged in this work,
relocated out of the Boston area, he stayed with K.J. through two and a half years
of delayed hearings. After years of legal limbo due to the gutting of the U.S. asylum
system, in 2020, against all odds, K.J. was granted asylum. He is now overwhelmed
with relief and gratitude by this miraculous turn of events.
*name has been changed to protect identity.
11 12
Left: Executive Director Jeremy Burton
testifies on behalf of the Safe Communities
Act. Below: A JVS job training graduation
Honoring our
Legislative Partners
JCRC postponed our Legislative Reception on March 26, but we want to
honor our incredible award recipients! Please read their reflections below:
Senator Sal DiDomenico: “It is an honor to receive this award from the
Jewish Community Relations Council and the Massachusetts Association
of Jewish Federations. Throughout my career, I have strived to lift up our
Commonwealth’s most vulnerable, and I always know that I have trusted
partners in JCRC and MAJF. Whether it be fighting for justice for our immigrant
SAL DI DOMENICO
State Senator and refugee community, providing support to low-income families, or working
Advocating towards economic justice for all, I am always proud to stand with JCRC and
MAJF. I am deeply grateful for their partnership and advocacy over the years,
for all MA Residents THIS YEAR,
and I would thank them for this recognition.”
Throughout this pandemic, JCRC’s JCRC SECURED FUNDING Representative Claire Cronin: “I am honored to accept the Legislative
Government Affairs team has been working
IN THE 2021 Leadership Award from the JCRC and to work with JCRC to support
STATE BUDGET:
CLAIRE CRONIN
social justice issues. JCRC has been a valuable partner in the important
State Representative
with the Governor and Legislature to ensure conversations we need to be having regarding race and social justice.”
that the Jewish social service network and the
clients they serve have all the tools they need
$7M Representative Jeff Roy: “I am grateful to the Jewish Community Relations
FOR JOB TRAINING Council and the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations for this
to stay safe and healthy, and the resources to FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES award. I am truly honored to receive it and to be placed in such distinguished
through Jewish Vocational Services
build their path to economic mobility. ranks as those of the past honorees. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work
with JCRC and MAJF on a number of policy issues seeking equity and justice
JCRC continues to make the case that investments in JEFF ROY
children, seniors, and job training are a crucial part of the $856K State Representative for the constituents we serve. We have and will continue to tackle serious
problems that need solving, and I look forward to continuing our work together
Massachusetts recovery. JCRC leveraged $9 million for FOR SENIOR CITIZENS with compassion, commitment and empathy.”
the social services network in the final MA budget, with an to get the support they need through
overall increase in funding for priority initiatives and a new Naturally Occurring Retirement
fund to protect the summer camp industry.
Communities Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey: “I am truly honored to receive this award. I’m
so thankful to the Jewish Community Relations Council for their dedication and
work to make Boston a more just and equitable city. The JCRC is a keystone of
$1M KIM JANEY Boston’s Jewish community and has been a force for social justice in our city
“JCRC’s advocacy team consistently
IN NON PROFIT SECURITY FUNDING Acting Mayor, for decades. As President of the most diverse City Council in Boston’s history,
succeeds in securing funding for all to protect vulnerable institutions City of Boston I’m grateful, and I extend my congratulations to the other honorees!”
MA residents to have equal access from hate crimes
to public resources and live lives of
Brian McKeon (Assistant Chief of Staff for Cabinet Affairs – Office of
dignity and respect. JCRC makes a
STABILIZATION Governor Baker): “Thank you to the JCRC for the incredible work you do on a
real difference for thousands of MA
citizens; JVS is very lucky to have trust fund daily basis. Your efforts are tireless and appreciated, and I’m so honored to
accept this year’s Executive Leadership Award in recognition of the crucial work
them as a community resource and FOR SUMMER CAMPS
we’ve done around the vital Non-Profit Security Grant program.”
we are proud to be their partner.” to provide a safety net to camps on the BRIAN MCKEON
brink of economic disaster due to COVID. Assistant Chief of Staff
– JERRY RUBIN, CEO, for Cabinet Affairs,
Jewish Vocational Services Office of Governor
Charlie Baker
13 14
Connecting with Israel
Mobilizing the Greater Boston PATHWAYS TO
community to deepen its relationship PEACE WEBINAR
with Israel is central to our mission, HIGHLIGHT:
and JCRC found new ways to
PATHWAYS THE ABRAHAM
strengthen this connection even when TO PEACE INITIATIVES
a global pandemic limited travel. LEARNING SERIES
Become a Global Citizen
HOW JCRC FORGED CONNECTIONS from the Comfort of
TO ISRAEL: Your Living Room
An initiative of JCRC
• Early in the year, we hosted young adult Shabbat dinners,
book clubs, and Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders.
• During the pandemic, we quickly moved to launch our
virtual “Pathways to Peace” webinar series, featuring
Israelis and Palestinians telling their stories of identity,
PATHWAYS TO PEACE WEBINAR SERIES Our webinar series lifted up
friendship, and cohesion even during a time of social
Featured Guests the new needs emerging
distancing. from the COVID-19 crisis
These conversations, highlighting how Israeli and • RAMI ELHANAN AND BASSAM ARAMIN from the Parents in the field of Jewish-
Palestinian peacebuilders were continuing to work together Circle Families Forum, a joint Israeli-Palestinian Arab relations, and the
even during a global pandemic, engaged hundreds of organization made up of more than 600 bereaved vulnerability of Arab society
Bostonians in conversation about Israelis and Palestinians families. to the crisis.
working toward mutual recognition and respect. We also
• RINA KEDEM AND SULEIMAN HALASAH from the Arava
We highlighted many
leveraged our relationships with our Israel Study Tour
Institute, where Israeli and Palestinian students
Israeli-Palestinan grassroots
alumni to promote our peacebuilding partners.
participate in a peace-building and conflict resolution
organizations working to
• JCRC held Israel news briefings throughout the year. meet these needs, including
seminar alongside their work in environmental studies.
• JCRC held a briefing with Alliance for Middle East Peace the Abraham Initiatives, with
(ALLMEP), the largest and fastest growing network of • MOHAMMAD ASIDEH AND HUDA ABUARQOUB from the whom we discussed their
Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilders, to discuss the impact Alliance for Middle East Peace. work to create widespread
of COVID-19 on Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilding. positive social change in
• DR. YASMEEN ABU FRAIHA, a Bedouin doctor at Be’er the field of Jewish-Arab
• With our partners at ALLMEP, we advocated for passage
relations in Israel.
of the Nita Lowey Partnership for Peace Act. Passed by Sheva’s Soroka Hospital, leading efforts to enhance
Congress in December, a new fund will be created to preventative medicine in the Bedouin community.
invest $250 million in grassroots peacebuilding over the
next five years. • MAY AROW AND YAEL MAAYAN from The Abraham
Initiatives, creating widespread positive social change in
• We highlighted ways in which COVID-19 is impacting
the field of Jewish-Arab relations in Israel.
Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding efforts.
15 16
JCRC MLK DAY OF SERVICE
JANUARY 20, 2020
Building
Partnerships
through
Service An author visit arranged by a bat
mitzvah student through GBJCL
Volunteers in JCRC’s Greater Boston
Jewish Coalition for Literacy (GBJCL)
set the children of Greater Boston up for
future success by instilling confidence
and a love of reading.
GREATER BOSTON JEWISH
COALITION FOR LITERACY
Over 90% of volunteers see progress in students in
the areas of reading comprehension, motivation,
communication, and confidence.
Since March, many students have been isolated and
60 volunteers
COMMITTED TO
disconnected from their learning communities, making REMOTE TUTORING
the special one-to-one relationships provided by tutors,
that much more crucial.
This year, GBJCL’s virtual tutoring went beyond eight
academics to prioritize the value at the core of our work: REMOTE TUTORING
our relationships with students. Many volunteers have TRAINING SESSIONS
prioritized maintaining connection with our young friends
during the pandemic, transcending the limitations of
Zoom to forge new relationships. 75 attendees
GBJCL pivoted to virtual tutoring in close consultation with AT OUR VOLUNTEER
our school partners, training tutors to connect with their APPRECIATION EVENT
students in this new way to maintain connections and
continue learning.
17 18JCRC in the News
Anti-Semitism is not a Ahead of Massachusetts Boston Partners for Peace
A newfound humility: Greater Boston Interfaith State sets aside $1m for grants to
Jewish problem reopening announcement, Engages Israelis, Palestinians and
We’re in this together Organization promotes help keep houses of worship safe
By Rabbi Marc Baker, Jeremy religious leaders left in the dark the Boston Jewish Community
By Jeremy Burton. community after divisive election By James Pindell.
Burton and By Douglas Hook. By Judy Bolton-Fasman.
May 24, 2020 By Jeremy C. Fox. January 6, 2020
Robert Trestan. May 17, 2020 January 14, 2020
January 3, 2020 “In Massachusetts, Jews and November 5, 2020 Jeremy Burton, executive director
“The infrastructure and services In August 2018, the Jewish
Muslims and Christians are “Seeing so many young people of the Jewish Community
“Combined Jewish Philanthropies, provided by faith communities Community Relations Council of
working together to support our vote in this year’s election gave Relations Council of Greater
Jewish Community Relations and our institutions are part of the Greater Boston (JCRC) launched
elected leaders and to demand her hope, she said. Her parents Boston, said that in the past,
Council, ADL, and partner backbone of our Commonwealth,” Boston Partners for Peace, an
action for the most vulnerable – would be hopeful, too, because persecution of Jews was state-
organizations are all investing said Jeremy Burton, executive initiative that brings together
who are themselves very often the “they lived through some sanctioned. But “today, what we
in programming and education director of the Jewish Community Israelis and Palestinians in Israel
“essential” workers in these times: unimaginably dark times,” said see here, and what we see in
to rid our schools, workplaces, Relations Council of Greater with their peers in Boston. The
the grocery workers, nursing home Nahma Nadich. this country, is that government
sporting venues, and religious Boston in a statement. “As we participants are dedicated to
attendants, and others who make has the back of communities of
institutions of anti-Semitism. It also work with, place our trust in, and building new bridges and forging
it possible for us to shelter.” faith, minorities, and communities
means standing together with follow the guidance of our elected connections in the name of peace
under attack,” Burton said. “That
people from every background leadership, we are also telling and a “two-state solution”.
gives us the resiliency to continue
and faith against all forms of them that faith institutions and ‘Never forget the lessons of the to gather, to continue to meet,
hatred and violence so that no our contributions will be essential Where to Volunteer With Your past’: Massachusetts Senate continue to celebrate our culture
one needs to be afraid to proudly to any successful re-opening and Family on MLK Day passes bill to require genocide, and our faith as a community.”
live out their faith or cultural recovery for Massachusetts.” Dear Jewish community -
By Kara Baskin. human rights education in
heritage.” here’s what to do now
January 7, 2020 middle and high schools
By Jeremy Burton, Josh Sayles,
“It’s an important day in the By Heather Adams.
Lindsey Mintz And Rori Picker
broader community. One of July 31, 2020
Neiss.
our main goals is to not just be “We cannot simply say ‘Never June 3, 2020
visible in the Jewish community, Again’ if we do not also commit
“As protests continue across the
but visible in the broader Boston to educating the next generation
United States, we are witnessing
community, living out Martin by giving them the resources they
at the forefront, a conversation
Luther King’s values of giving back need to recognize and stand up
about what the Jewish community
through the Jewish lens of tikkun to injustice before it takes root,”
relations field has long understood
olam,” Shoshana Edelson says. said Aaron Agulnek, Director of
to exist under the surface:
Government Affairs for the Jewish
systemic racism underlies
Community Relations Council.
and permeates our societal
structures.”
19 20JCRC Board and Staff JCRC Member Organization
As of 3/1/2020 Representatives
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PAST PRESIDENTS Debbie Isaacson STAFF Action for Post-Soviet Committee for Jewish Alliance for Law Synagogue Council of
Stacey Bloom, Michael Bohnen Ilise Krieger Aaron Agulnek, Jewry Accuracy in Middle East & Social Action Massachusetts
President Barbara Anatolev Reporting in America Barbara Cullen Craig Schneider
Susan A. Calechman Emily Levine Director of Government
Scott Gilefsky, Affairs Jonah Cohen
Ruth B. Fein Joel Loitherstein The American Jewish Community Union for Reform
First Vice President Alex Safian
Bill Gabovitch Laura Mandel Shira Burns, Association of Jewish Center Judaism
Samantha Joseph, Rae M. Ginsburg Miriam May Communications Holocaust Survivors & Combined Jewish Fiona Epstein John Weiss
Secretary Associate Descendants of Greater Philanthropies Lori Sidman Terry Yoffie
Jill Goldenberg* Jesse Mermell
Frank Litwin, Eli Cohn-Postell, Boston, Inc. Sarah Abramson
Geoffrey Lewis Ben Pearlman Jewish Community United Synagogue for
Treasurer Director of Israel Janet Stein Stephanie Berkowitz
Joel M. Reck Rebecca Sendor Israel Center of the North Conservative Judaism
Engagement American Friends of Jay Freedman
Jeremy Burton, Shore Barbara Posnick
Stuart T. Rossman Renee Shapiro Magen David Adom TBD (1)
Ex-Officio, Non-voting Shoshana Edelson, John Gilberg TBD
James W. Segel Mel Shuman Monique Martin
Development & Federation of Jewish Marty Schneer Vaad Harabonim
Donald J. Siegel Isaac Silberberg Operations Manager Men’s Clubs
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE American Israel Jewish Labor Rabbi David Hellman
Adam Suttin Mitch Silver Jeffrey Blonder
MEMBERS AT LARGE Lisa Kessel Freedman, Publican Affairs Committee
Kenneth A. Sweder Hanna Switlekowski Elliot Feldman Vilna Shul: Boston’s
Executive Assistant to Committee: Rabbi Barbara Penzner
Adam Suttin, Center for Jewish
Justin Wyner Pamela Weil Jeremy Burton & Board Scott Brightman
Immediate Past Hadassah, Boston Culture
Administrator Jeffrey F. Stonberg Jewish War Veterans
President Chapter Marc Jacobs
Martin Paley
JCRC COUNCIL SENIOR TEAM Rachie Lewis, American Jewish Lisa Conti
Kathy Weinman Harvey Weiner
COMMUNITY Director of Synagogue Leslie Gonzalez Women of Reform
Jeremy Burton, Committee
REPRESENTATIVES Organizing Judaism
Executive Director Michael Davis Keshet
BOARD OF Monica Arkin Hadassah, North New Paulette Black
Emily Reichman, Michael Tichnor Rabbi Becky Silverstein
DIRECTORS Nahma Nadich, England Region Abby Fisher
Beth Badik Director of Community Joanna Ware
Rabbi Laura Abrasley Deputy Director AMIT Kathy Kerstein
Bryan Barash Engagement Women’s League for
Ethlynne Brickman Harriet Wollman Massachusetts Board of
Nicole Gann Erica Daniels-Strater,
Barbara Berke Rebecca Shimshak, Conservative Judaism
Director of Development Rabbis
Samuel Gechter
Aimee Bierman Anti-Defamation Hadassah, Southern Phyllis Brody
Director of Greater Rabbi David Lerner
Jill Goldenberg Jonathan Dudley, League New England Region Sue Linden
David Borrus Boston Jewish Coalition
Alex Goldstein Director of Finance & Shira Furman Judy Goldman National Council of
Liz Brenner for Literacy
Administration Greta Rafsky Jewish Women Worker’s Circle
Fredie Kay Amy Rabonowitz
Howard Brick Maddy Popkin
Michal Regunberg
Jonathan Klein Association of Reform Hillel Council of New
Lynda Bussgang
Rabbi Claudia Kreiman England New England Board of Zionist Organization of
Robin Cohen Zionists of America
Samuel Mendales America
Edward Kutchin Rabbi Neal Gold Cantors
Lisa Danetz Cathy Stern Brian Grodman
TBD (1)
Lon Povich
Margie Ross Decter B’nai Brith International
Leah Robins Robert Golden Israeli American New Israel Fund
Abby Flam
Nathan Rothstein Council, Boston Stephane Acel-Green
Mark Friedman BBYO Avi Almozlino Mark Gottesman
Craig Slater Samantha Walsh
Elizabeth Goldstein
Amiel Weinstock J Street Orthodox Union
David Goldstone
Andrew Zelermyer Eric Geller TBD (2)
Adam Goodman
Janette Hillis-Jaffe
Lesley Inker
21 22JCRC Committees 2020-2021 FY20
As of 10/1/2020
JCRC by REVENUE AND EXPENSES
BOARD COMMITTEES Membership Jonathan Klein PROGRAMMATIC
the Numbers
Finance Committee Committee Miriam May OVERSIGHT
Mel Shuman, Chair COMMITTEES FY20 FINANCIAL REPORT
Frank Litwin, Chair Alex Safian
Leah Robin, Vice Chair Community Holocaust
Mark Friedman Renee Schapiro Commemoration SUPPORT AND REVENUE
Scott Gilefsky Scott Gilefsky Mel Shuman for Yom HaShoah CJP Grants $1,490,442
Ed Kutchin Fredie Kay Eli Cohn-Postell, Committee Support from Grants and Foundations $506,647
Craig Slater Rabbi David Lerner JCRC Staff Planning Committee Individual Donors $334,313
Barbara Posnick Stacey Bloom Rick Mann, Chair Event Revenue $9,316
Jonathan Dudley,
In-Kind Donations $89,825
JCRC Staff Lon Povich Judi Bohn, Facing
Other Income $3,419 REVENUE BY SOURCE:
History and Ourselves
Stacey Bloom, Ex-Officio Craig Slater Public Policy
Total Support and Revenue $2,433,962 CJP Grants 61%
Committee Janet Stein Calm,
Jeremy Burton, John Weiss Support from Grants & Foundations 21%
American Association
Ex-Officio, Non-voting Andrew Zelermyer Emily Levine, Chair EXPENSES BY PROGRAM Individual Donors 14%
of Jewish Holocaust
Rabbi Laura Abrasley Service Programs
Governance Nahma Nadich, Survivors and their In-Kind Donations 4%
Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy $182,983
Committee JCRC Staff Beth Badik Descendants of Greater Event Revenue 0%
MLK Day of Service $47,021
Boston
Jonathan Klein, Chair Stacey Bloom, Ex-Officio Bryan Barash ReachOut! $120,064 Other Income 0%
Lora Tarlin, Jewish TELEM $223,947
Stephanie Berkowitz Jeremy Burton, Stacey Bloom
Family & Children’s
Scott Gilefsky Ex-Officio, Non-voting Lisa Conti Total Service $574,015
Services
Liz Goldstein Lisa Danetz Emily Reichman, Core Government Affairs and
Adam Suttin 2020–2021 COUNCIL Fredie Kay JCRC Staff Community Relations Activities
COMMITTEES
Amiel Weinstock Ed Kutchin Advisory Committee Synagogue Organizing $196,999
Israel & Global Jewry Community Relations $357,383
Andrew Zelermyer Ben Pearlman Izzy Arbeiter
Committee Holocaust Programming $133,625
Erica Daniels-Strater, Lon Povich Jack Arbeiter
Amiel Weinstock, Chair Government Affairs $256,856
JCRC Staff Rebecca Sendor-Israel Herb Birnbaum
Stephane Acel-Green Total Core Activities $944,863
Stacey Bloom, Isaac Silberberg Stacey Bloom
Ex-Officio Avi Almozlio
Fred Calm Israel Engagement $351,242
Hanna Switlekowski
Jeremy Burton, Monica Arkin
Kathy Weinman Susie Davidson
Ex-Officio, Non-voting Beth Badik TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENSES $1,870,120
Aaron Agulnek, Lillian Fox EXPENSES BY SOURCE:
Executive Support & Stacey Bloom
JCRC Staff Ruth Kaplan Administrative & Development Expenses $507,959 Total Service Programs 24%
Evaluation Committee Dave Borrus Non-operating expense $3,073 Community Relations 15%
Nahma Nadich, Fred Manasse
Amiel Weinstock, Chair Scott Brightman JCRC Staff Israel Engagement 15%
Mark Rogozinski TOTAL EXPENSES $2,381,152
Stacey Bloom Michael Davis Emily Reichman, General & Administrative 13%
David Schechter
Jill Goldenberg Nicole Gann JCRC Staff Suplus Added to Government Affairs 11%
Ludwik Szymanski Organizational Unrestricted Reserve $52,810
Frank Litwin Eric Geller Synagogue Organizing 8%
Development & Communications 8%
Adam Suttin Jeffrey Stoneberg
Holocaust Programming 6%
23 24Donor Report
$50,000 + Jennifer & Amiel Weinstock Susan Calechman Meredith Cutler Marsha Katz Slotnick Janet & Jonathan Rhodes
Combined Jewish Philanthropies Eric Fischman Tamar Davis & Allan Galper Amelia & Josh Katzen Ilonna Rim & Joseph Madsen
Lesley & Benjamin Inker $1,000 - $2,499 Janet & Mark Gottesman Margie Ross Decter & Adam Kathryn Kerstein Leah Robins & Dan Sternberg
One8 Foundation Erica Helinek Decter Susan Kahn & Daniel Kirschner Norma Rosenberg
Harriet & Martin Agulnek
The Klarman Family Foundation Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Madelyn & Bruce Donoff Ruth Klein & Todd Heller Shelley & Stuart Rossman
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical
Center Samantha Joseph Katherine Ellin Joe Kriesberg Michael Rotenberg
Stacey Bloom Rabbi Shira & Saul Joseph Roberta Falke Judith & Mark Kuperwaser Fabienne Rottenberg
$10,000 - $49,999
Beth & Michael Davis Ben Lee Lisa Fassberg Weller Jill & Ed Kutchin Leslie & Richard Saltzberg
Anonymous
Lauren & Bill Gabovitch Rachel Lerner Zipora Feiner Rabbi Allan Lehmann Elizabeth Samelson & Paul Hattis
Bain Capital Children’s Charity, Ltd.
Caroline Gammill & Nathan Elana Kling Perkins & Rabbi Carl Eileen Feldman Rebecca Leffell Koren Ronni Savran
Nancy & Steven Fischman
Rothstein Perkins Rabbi David Finkelstein
Valerie & Mark Friedman Emily Levine Craig Schneider
Nicole & Joshua Gann Ari Mervis Abby Flam
Deborah Frieze Karen Levy Susan Shevitz & Larry Bailis
Julia Hoffman & Eitan Hersh Judith Obermayer Claire & David Fisher
Linda & Michael Frieze Roberta & Phillip Levy Rivka & David Shimoni
Cindy & Andrew Janower Rachel Schiff & Alex Klibaner Bernard Friedland
New England Patriots Foundation Myra & Andy Majewski Arielle & Solly Silverman
Sheryl Kalis & Adam Steinberg Robin & Mel Shuman Joseph & Rae Gann Charitable
Ellen & Steven Segal Rabbi Howard Mandell, Rifkie & Daniel Silverman
Fredie Kay Leslie & Craig Slater Foundation Congregation Beth Israel of
Hope & Adam Suttin Samuel Silverman
Needham Bank Temple Aliyah, Needham Elisha & Sam Gechter Andover
United Way of Massachusetts Bay Simon Beit Sasson-Sephardic
Dari Paquette & Hans D. Strauch - Catharyn & Mike Gildesgame Rabbi Todd Markley Congregation of Newton
& Merrimack Valley
The Mosse Foundation Barbara & Ron Gilefsky Matt Mcgillicuddy
Alison Wintman $100 - $499 Laurie & Alan Starr
Caren & Ben Pearlman Charles Glick Susan Michaels
The Paul & Phyllis Fireman Barbara Abrams & Rabbi David Robin Steinberg & Phillip
Charitable Foundation Jeevan Ramapriya Kudan Caitlin Golden Brian Miller Gendelman
Rachel & Joel Reck Barbara & Arnold Andler Susan Goldberger Middlesex Savings Bank Cathy Stern
Amy Schottenfels & Jonathan Klein Judith & Arthur Agulnek Janet & Richard Goldenberg Nahma Nadich & David Belcourt Rabbi Michael Swarttz
$5,000 - $9,999
Mimi & James Segel Lee & Stuart Bauer Liz Goldstein New Israel Fund Norma Rosenberg
Anonymous
Risa Shames & Neil Silverston Joan & Dennis Beer David Goldstone David Pace Shelley & Stuart Rossman
Michelle & Darren Black
Naomi & Jeff Stonberg Stephanie Berkowitz Elise & Michael Gottesman Michelle Paster & Josef Blumenfeld Susan Tofias
Jill Goldenberg & Sidney Kriger
Gerri & Ken Sweder Ben Birnbaum Robin Gross & Anthony Lehv Rabbi Barbara Penzner & Brian Robert Trestan
Beth & Lawrence Greenberg
Nancy Viner Stacy Grossman Rosman Lisa & Neil Wallack
Andrea Roberts & Marc Foster Robin & Nathan Birnbaum
Justin Wyner Yaffa & Haim Gunner Ruth & Daniel Pernick Alan Warshaw
Gary Blair
Eileen Hagerty & Rabbi Thomas Hilda Perlitsh Harriet & Mel Warshaw
$2,500 - $4,999 Joel Bloom
$500 - $999 Alpert Rabbi Jay Perlman Carol & Michael Wasserman
Rav-Hazzan Aliza Berger & Susan Bookbinder
Sherri Ades Falchuk Susan & Eric Hailman Philip Family Trust Lori & Stan Weinronk
Solomon Rosenberg Judith Freedman Caplan & Barry
Susan & Aron Ain Caplan Ilanna & Noam Heller Boaz Pianka Dani Weinstein
Lisa & Arieh Coll
Anonymous Daniel Cohn Rebecca Hecht Eileen & Mark Polasky Kenny Wintman
Beth & Scott Gilefsky
Alyssa Biller & Alex Goldstein Karyn Cohen Leviton Hevreh of Sothern Berkshire Inc. Marli Porth Candice & Howard Wolk
Molly & Jeff Goodman
Joyce & Michael Bohnen Marsha Cohen Lisa Hewitt Daniel Raizen Barbara & Rabbi Henry Zoob
Ilissa & Lon Povich
Rabbi Elizabeth & Matt Bonney- Carol & Stephen Cohen Linda Jason & Andrew Fischer Jill & Don Reichman
Susan & James Snider
Cohen Congregation Beth El of Sudbury Joan Katz & Arthur Aframe Michal Regunberg
Kathy Weinman & Cameron Kerry
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