The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the United Jewish Council of
Greater Toledo’s mission is to support the State of Israel, to promote an
understanding of Judaism, to monitor legislative issues, to build relationships
with elected and/ or other governmental officials, and to promote positive
relations with other faith based and/or ethnic communities in Northwest Ohio.
The JCRC is comprised of a Director, Wendy Goldstein, Chairman, Professor Howard
Friedman and a committee of six or more members. The Director can be reached at
419-724-0360.
The JCRC has many interest areas:
Israel Advocacy, promoting support for Israel, is a main area of focus
for the relations council. Advocacy is done through media relations, community
relations, and pro-Israel advocacy within the Jewish community and in the
greater community, speaking as a unified voice for the Toledo Jewish community,
promotes Israel missions, Washington missions, and other pro-Israel or Jewish
oriented educational opportunities for public officials and/or leaders in other
faith, ethnic, or civic communities.
Fighting Anti-Semitism and Promoting Religious Freedom.The JCRC works with local, state and national organizations in combating anti-Semitism. It promotes religious freedom for all in our diverse society, viewing the separation of church and state as an important safeguard of that freedom. Issues of concern include religion in schools and accommodation of employees’ religious practices in the workplace.
Advocating for Social, Economic and Racial Justice.Jewish prophetic tradition calls upon us to feed the hungry, give hope to the poor and promoted a just society. Joining with the Jewish Council on Public Affairs, the JCRC is renewing its efforts to fight poverty by advocating for improved economic opportunity, health care and education at all levels.
Promoting Responsible Environmentalism.Issues of global warming and energy independence both demonstrate the need for a renewed emphasis on environmental policy. The JCRC, in conjunction with the Coalition on the Environment in Jewish Life, promotes responsible and intelligent policymaking that will allow us to preserve the environment for future generations.
Community Relations. Promoting an understanding of Judaism. Serve as
an educational resource for non-Jewish communities and groups. Respond to
anti-Semitic instances or other hate crimes and provide Holocaust education
resources.
Monitor legislative issues of importance to the Jewish community of
Northwest Ohio. Prepare issues briefings for the Jewish community on local,
federal and state legislative initiatives. Build coalitions with other religious
and ethnic communities or civil institutions in support or opposition of
legislative initiatives of importance to the Jewish community. Correspond
directly with elected and other civic officials and coordinating community wide
letter writing and phone call campaign when necessary.
Provide representation on various civic boards such as the Bureau of
Community Relations, Multi-faith Council of NW Ohio, Sylvania Rotary and the UT
student Union Board.
This event is sponsored by the City of Toledo, Board of Community Relations, Metroparks of the Toledo Area and the Toledo Botanical Gardens. This is the kick-off of the Erase-the Hate series. The Jewish Community Relations Council is part of this program and a member of the Board of Community Relations. The annual Taste of Diversity unites the community in a “small villages” concept around various foods and entertainment from the different cultures living in our area. Visitors who attend will receive a sampling of food in order to highlight and celebrate cultural diversity. This is a totally free event with no charge for food, entertainment, arts & crafts, storytelling or parking.
Each year, the Jewish community invites members of the Jewish community as well as the interfaith community to come together to remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust in prayer.
The annual Diversity Breakfast gives students in eighth grade through high school a chance to hear personal stories from people who were affected by the Holocaust. In the past we have brought in holocaust survivors, hidden children, authors and plays. The format gives the students and their teachers time to ask questions of the presenters.
The purpose of the interfaith Seder is to introduce the community of all faiths to Passover with participation in a service. The mini-Seder is led by one of our local Rabbis. Ritual foods are offered during the Seder and there is a question and answer session following the service.
At this event, the three faiths comment on a religious topic and a question and answer session follows. This event takes place on the University of Toledo’s campus and the entire community is invited. University students are encouraged to attend and many professors give the students credits for attending this event.
This group of musicians is a cross-cultural band that delivers a positive and meaningful musical message about Jewish-Black relations. This ensemble is part of The Afro-Semitic Connection Organization, a cross-cultural group promoting activities that provide positive responses to anti-Semitism and racism of all forms.
Various topics and speakers. Contact the Jewish Community Relations Council director or check the calendar section of this website for upcoming Lunch and Learn programs.