FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL?
We are the public affairs voice of the Detroit Jewish community…
- to the news media
- to legislators and other government officials
- to the area’s diverse ethnic, racial, and religious groups
- to the overall community in southeast Michigan.
We connect Israel to both our Jewish community and the general public, and we work with local Jewish organizations and institutions to build a stronger Detroit Jewish community.
HOW DO WE ENGAGE THE NEWS MEDIA?
JCRC arranged for WXYZ Channel 7 reporter Julie Banovic
to interview 2011 Activist Award recipient Joel Jacob
- We monitor local media coverage to ensure fair and accurate news coverage.
- We respond to interview requests and meet on a regular basis with editors, columnists, and reporters.
- We arrange background briefings on issues of concern to the Jewish community.
- We mobilize Jewish voices to support or oppose editorial positions.
HOW DO WE ENGAGE ELECTED OFFICIALS?
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow talks with JCRC board member Mary Ellen Gurewitz at the 2011 JCPA Plenum Policy Conference
We work directly…
- with members of Congress
- with local governments
- with state legislators and government officials
- in partnership with the Michigan Jewish Conference.
We urge their support on issues of concern to Jewish Detroit and Israel. We also educate them on our issues to build relationships that benefit
the Jewish community and that advance a deeper appreciation of Israel.
HOW DO WE BUILD BRIDGES TO OTHERS?
We develop and maintain friendly and productive relationships with Detroit’s diverse ethnic, racial and religious groups…
- to form alliances on issues that we share
- to seek support on issues of Jewish concern, such as civil rights, health care, public education, immigration and Israel to promote our own security and well being.
HOW DO WE ADVOCATE FOR ISRAEL?
- We provide important, accurate information about Israel to the media.
- We organize activities and events to mobilize and demonstrate community support.
- We engage local, state, and national officials to support Israel.
- We bring Israeli dignitaries and experts to speak at public events and with local media.
- We teach Jewish students how to speak effectively on behalf of Israel on campus and to deal with anti-Israel encounters at school.
- We maintain the Israel Advocacy Network (IAN) of more than 1,000 online activists.
HOW ARE WE STRUCTURED?
We are a representative body with constituents from all segments of Detroit’s Jewish community. JCRC's
members are Jewish community organizations and institutions throughout metro Detroit. Our
board of directors reflects our community’s broad range of opinions. As a representative body, our board comprises the entire spectrum...
- from seniors to the young
- from Orthodox to non-practicing
- from all income levels
- from the entire spectrum of political beliefs.
Through a deliberative
process, the board sets JCRC’s policy positions, as well as long- and short-term programming. The
board and its officers are elected at JCRC’s annual meeting. The professional and support
staff is overseen and directed by the Executive Director.