Jewish Community Relations Committee
(JCRC)

 

The Jewish Community Relations Committee of the Birmingham Jewish Federation builds strong ties with the broader Birmingham community in order to promote dialogue, mutual understanding and establish collaborative partnerships through which we can engage in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) together, all for the betterment of our total community.

 

Sheryl Kimerling is chairperson of the JCRC; BJF Assistant Executive Director Joyce Spielberger serves as director.

 

The JCRC is made up of representatives from each Birmingham Jewish community agency and institution and is comprised of four Resource Teams with JCRC Representatives serving as Chairs;

 

Speaker’s Bureau –JCRC Representatives serve as part of a volunteer corps, trained to speak to church and civic groups on Israel, Judaism, etc. A JCRC goal is to proactively seek out these engagements and speak in as many venues as possible. Speaking engagements range from public and private schools, church study groups and classes, and worship services. For 2009-2010 the JCRC plans to expand and increase the number of engagements in the general community. Past JCRC Chair Herc Levine and Rabbi Jonathan Miller chair the JCRC Speakers Bureau initiative.

 

Coalition Building – The JCRC focuses on strengthening relationships, and initiate programming and opportunities within the general community, specifically the Latino and African American communities. JCRC members participate in community meetings and interfaith dialogue groups to further build our bridges in the general community. Vikki Grodner chairs this initiative which includes Sisters/Chaverim and THREADS, professional women’s dialogue groups comprised of African-American, Jewish and Latino women.

 

Social and Legislative Action –JCRC Representatives work actively on social action programs responding to needs in the areas of education, housing, nutrition, substance abuse and transportation. The Social and Legislative Action Resource Team monitors and reports to the community on important pending social legislation and lends their voices when needed to influence our state and national legislators. Judy Luks and Dan Weinrib serve as co-chairs for this Team.

 

Campus Watch – JCRC representatives keep their “ear to the ground” to stay informed about situations in our schools or events on our local campus communities. They attend open programs on campus and report, if needed, to JCRC any questionable campus activities, speakers and/or letters or articles in campus papers. Amy Allon is the chair of the Campus Watch Resource Team; Asaf Stein is the liaison to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

 

The opening meeting of the Jewish Community Relations Committee will be Tuesday, October 6th as the JCRC hosts newly appointed, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, Joyce Vance. The meeting will be held in the board room of the Levite Jewish Community Center beginning at noon.

 

Joyce Vance will talk about her background and the career path she chose, which ultimately led her to be nominated by President Obama. The program is open to the community.

 

For more information about the Jewish Community Relations Committee contact Joyce Spielberger at joyces@bjf.org.