JCRC-LI wishes you a holiday season filled with warmth, light, peace, and hope for only good things in 2021. As 2020 comes to a close, it is a good time to step back and appreciate the resilience and strength we have demonstrated as a community to overcome the unprecedented challenges that we were faced with this year. We are proud to be part of the strong, diverse community of Long Island and take a moment to reflect on some of JCRC-LI's accomplishments. We can only carry out our vital community building work with your generous support. We ask that you keep JCRC-LI in mind when making your end-of-year donations. Make your tax deductible gift and join us in strengthening community relations on Long Island. Please designate your gift to JCRC-LI. | Rally Against Anti-Semitism JCRC-LI was very proud to help organize an extremely successful march and rally against anti-Semitism in January 2020. Thousands attended along with governmental officials, religious, and community leaders to make their voices heard. It was incredibly powerful to be among people of all backgrounds stating in one voice that there is no place for hate in our communities. | Commemorating 75th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz In remembrance of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, NYS Governor Cuomo visited Poland. Before his flight, he held a press conference to commemorate this event with Holocaust survivors and community leaders. JCRC-NY’s Executive Vice President and CEO Michael Miller made the opening remarks. | Building Bridges with our Neighbors JCRC-LI and Telugu Literary and Cultural Association (TLCA) co-sponsored a very special and memorable program bringing together more than 150 people for an interfaith gathering uniting the Jewish and Hindu communities. | Strengthening Long Island - Israel Relations Throughout the year JCRC-LI staff and advisory board members work with partners in government on many issues of shared interest. One such meeting focused on various ways which Suffolk County and the State of Israel can collaborate. Mindy Perlmutter, JCRC-LI’s Executive Director met with Israel Nitzan, Deputy Consul General of Israel and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. | Community Security Initiative In the wake of a rising tempo of anti-Semitism in the United States as well as a significant increase in attacks and threats directed at Jewish institutions and individuals, the Community Security Initiative (CSI) was created in 2020. This is a joint initiative with UJA-Federation of NY and JCRC-NY to enhance security of the approximately 2,000 Jewish institutions in the New York area. Long Island’s Regional CSI Manager, Liron Filiby, is available for consulting on assessments and upgrades, provide help accessing government funds, coordinate and facilitate trainings, liaise with law-enforcement, and more. | We See You - Virtual Solidarity Vigil The Long Island and Queens community came together for the We See You virtual vigil to stand together with the Black community and unite against racism. This gathering of 4,000 inspired us and further educated us about racism in America. Speakers included Mindy Perlmutter - JCRC-LI, Bishop Lionel Harvey - First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury, Rabbi Art Vernon - Congregation Shaaray Shalom, Pastor DaShun Burrell - Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum - Temple Israel of Lawrence, Bishop Philip Elliot - Antioch Baptist Church, Rabbi Joel Levenson -
Midway Jewish Center, Phil Andrew - Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Rabbi Tuvia Teldon - Chabad, Elaine Gross - ERASE Racism, Pastor Roger Williams - First Baptist Church, Rabbi Hershel Billet - Young Israel of Woodmere, Tracey Edwards - NAACP, Shanequa Levin - Women’s Diversity Network, Rabbi Susie Moskowitz - Temple Beth Torah Melville (TBT), and David Black - Sid Jacobson JCC. | Advocacy and Community Leadership JCRC-LI helped organize a press conference in Oceanside regarding horrific posts from a sanitation commissioner’s Facebook page. These posts include antisemitism, anti-black, anti-Muslim, misogynistic, ableism, and homophobic sentiments. Chairman of JCRC-LI Adam Novak stated, “It is abhorrent that someone with these beliefs or values represents the people of Oceanside. Intolerance and hate have no place in this community or in any community on Long Island.” Joining JCRC-LI were Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky, NYS Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford, AJC, Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, Islamic Center of Long Island, NAACP, Simon Wiesenthal Center, and StandWithUs | The Great Jewish Food Debate JCRC-LI is so proud of our Long Island Rabbis, especially the 8 who served as debaters and judges for The Great Jewish Food Debate. Close to 1,000 viewers joined for a lively, comical debate regarding the pros and cons of some of our favorite foods - latke, hamantash, bagel,and knish. All enjoyed the musings of Rabbis Ronald Androphy, Dahlia Bernstein, Howard Buechler, Jason Fruithandler, Joel Levenson, Susie Heneson Moskowitz, Jessica Rosenthal, and Dave Siegel. And, in case you missed it, by a slight majority, the latke and bagel were the winners. |  Please click on the image above to make a tax deductible contribution and designate your gift to JCRC-LI. | Thank you! JCRC-LI continues our community building efforts each day. Please join us! Your support will enable JCRC-LI to continue existing programs and develop new ones. JCRC-LI deeply appreciates your support.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2021. | |
