FROM THE Jewish Community Relations Council
BY BETTY SCHWARTZ
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is an integral part of the Jewish Federation of Collier County and a group that members of the Jewish community should know about. I’ve been privileged to be NJC’s representative on this council for several years. In addition to NJC, all Jewish groups are encouraged to have representation on this council.
As the name implies, a major function of the JCRC is to promote and enhance the relationship of the Jewish community with the greater Naples community. We have done this by sponsoring programs open to the community, participating in the annual Martin Luther King Day observance, sponsoring the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, the Holocaust Remembrance program and programs
during Florida Jewish Heritage Month and other activities. A new event, of which I am co-chair with Ida Margolis, is a Jewish Festival of Learning, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 19, 2017. You’ll be hearing much more about this event.
Each year, JCRC awards grants to worthy organizations which serve our community by providing much needed services to deserving recipients. This year, the Human Needs Award was presented to two very outstanding organizations: The Children’s Advocacy Center and The Naples Music Club. Sandy Wolf has served on this committee in the past and can tell you how much research and thought go into the choice.
JCRC also awards educators in middle and high school who have implemented lessons or activities that teach students to stand up for justice and discourage discrimination of any kind, including bullying.
Another function of JCRC is to take action against anti-Semitism when such incidences occur. JCRC works with the ADL and other agencies to address problems.
This is just an overview of some of the functions of the JCRC. In May, I will be attending the annual meeting of the Jewish Council of Public Affairs (JCPA) which is the umbrella organization for the JCRCs, and I hope to have much to share with you.