Contact JCRC Director, Lisa Epstein at epsteinl@jfsatx.org
The focus of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is to promote and advance the interests of the Jewish people, to preserve and maintain the dignity and integrity of the Jewish people, and to defend and protect civil, political, and religious rights wherever such rights are in jeopardy.
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Calendar of Jewish Holidays
Report a Local Antisemitic Incident
Contact JCRC Director Lisa Epstein at epsteinL @ jfsatx.org
Learn more at https://www.adl.org/report-incident
Pillars For Our Changing World
Fighting Against Antisemitism
The JCRC is committed to fighting antisemitism through education, collaboration, and advocacy.
Our Programs
Symposium on Safety, Security, and Antisemitism - This event brings the community together to hear from different speakers on a variety of topics, from strategic ways to address antiseims online, to how to talk to children about hate and antisemitism.
#ShineALight - This national campaign encourages communities to engage with and educate others about antisemitism. The JCRC provides funding for Jewish community members to host their non-Jewish neighbors and friends for a Shabbat dinner (typically closer to Hanukkah)
Statements Made Addressing Antisemitism
On JFSA Joining the #StandUpToJewishHate Movement
On the abhorrent rise of antisemitic acts across the globe
On condemning Texas school administrator's push to teach an "opposing view" of the Holocaust
Advocating For Our Community
The JCRC advocates and acts on issues at the local, state, and national levles to advance Jewish concerns in the public arena.
Our Programs:
Jewish Communities Day at the State - This important event sees Jewish communities across Texas come together in Austin at the Texas Capitol, to educate legislators about the policy priorities that are important to the Texas Jewish community.
Building Community Relationships
The JCRC works to build bridges across the community to promote a greater understanding of one another.
Our Programs:
Annual Catholics and Jews Celebrate Hanukkah - This event, which just passed its 20th year (in 2021), brings together the Roman Catholic and Jewish communities for lunch, hanukkiah lighting, and various speakers.
MLK Community March - The JCRC organizes a group to march in the largest MLK march in the United States every January.
Ramadan Iftar Dinner - During Ramadan, members of the Jewish community join the Turkish Raindrop Foundation to enjoy an iftar dinner, learn from one another, and hear from a keynote speaker.
Promoting Equal Justice & Opportunity For All
The JCRC stands up to hate in all forms and diligentally works to promote equal rights to all.
Our Programs:
Voting Resources - During elections, the JCRC provides information on how and where to vote in person, and ensures local seniors have the necessary resources for mailing in their ballots.
Love Should Not Hurt - The JCRC joined the "Love Should Not Hurt" citywide initiative, and led a four part series for faith leaders on domestic violence prevention.
Statements Made Addressing Equal Justice & Opportunities for All
Connecting with Israel
The JCRC connects the community to Israel through education and advocacy.
Our Programs
Israel Leadership Fellowship -This program is designed to equip high school juniors and seniors with helpful tools to have difficult conversations about Israel while at college.
Partnership with the Western Galilee - The Partnership2Gether program provides cities across the U.S. and around the world with a partner city or region in Israel. The Jewish community of San Antonio is part of the Western Galilee Consortium, and often holds virtual programs.
Various Speakers - In the past, the JCRC and JFSA have welcomed speakers such as Gil Hoffman, Livia Link Raviv, and Sigal Kanotopsky to different events.
JCRC Leadership
Barbara Powell, Council Chair
Lisa Epstein, PhD, Director
JCRC Membership Organizations
B'nai B'rith
Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning
Congregation Agudas Achim
Congregation Beth Am
Congregation Rodfei Sholom
Congregation Shalom
Hadassah
Hebrew Free Loan Association - San Antonio
Hillel San Antonio
Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio
Israeli Chabad
Jewish Family Service
Jewish War Veterans
National Council of Jewish Women
San Antonio Jewish Senior Services
Temple Beth-El
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Questions about the Jewish Community Relations Council?