Federation
Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)
T
he JCRC’s primary mission is to promote and enhance relationships between the Jewish community and the general community of Greater Naples. The JCRC collaborates with a number of groups, participating in programs and activities that promote religious freedom, separation of religion from government and social justice issues. The membership of JCRC consists of representatives from Jewish organizations serving our community as well as at-large members. Member diversity enables the JCRC to represent the thinking of the Jewish community on social issues of community-wide interest. Among the JCRC’s traditional activities are the following programs:
Cultural and Educational Programming
The JCRC sponsors several events during Florida Jewish History Month (January), including the annual JCRC/ Friends of the Collier County Library Klezmer Revival Band Concert. It is a participant, and encourages all Jewish community members to join, in the annual Martin Luther King Day parade. The major community event sponsored by the JCRC is the annual Jewish Community Day of Learning, at which a variety of presenters with expertise in numerous topics share their knowledge with attendees. The purpose of this event is to provide the opportunity for everyone in our community to learn something of interest and connect with aspects of our shared Jewish heritage. In 2021, the 5th Annual Day of Learning will be conducted virtually and will include both a Day and Evening of Learning. The daytime event is entitled, “It’s Chai Time to Visit Jewish Neighbors.” Speakers will “take”
us to three Jewish communities to learn about Crypto Jews as well as Jews in Persia and China. The evening session will have clergy of three faiths discussing their experiences dealing with the pandemic.
Human Needs Award
The JCRC and JFGN give this award to acknowledge the positive contributions of several select nonprofit organizations in our community. Annually, monetary awards are given to two small nonprofit agencies. The objective is to identify agencies who serve a severely means-limited,
The JCRC has adopted the following goals: • To further the understanding of Jewish heritage and practices within the community and to act as a voice for Jewish causes and concerns in the Greater Naples area • To support and join Jewish and non-Jewish organizations and religious institutions in developing and sustaining constructive causes • To provide appropriate responses to counter statements of bigotry and acts of anti-Semitism • To develop educational opportunities with other religious and ethnic groups • To participate with other groups regarding pertinent legislative matters • To foster an ongoing and beneficial relationship with the local media • To cooperate with other Jewish Community Relations Councils throughout Florida
On July 2, 2020, the JCRC of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples presented a check to the Hunger & Homeless Coalition of Collier County. (L-R) Yale Freeman, HHC Board Chairman; Jeffrey Feld, President/CEO JFGN; Michael Overway, Executive Director HHC (accepting the check); Nadja Joseph, HHC (kneeling); Mitch Watch, HHC; Mary Waller, HHC Board Member; Alex Wertheim, JCRC of JFGN, and Yusleidy Nunez, HHC
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CONNECTIONS 2021
A Guide to Jewish Living in Greater Naples
