The JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Committee) of the Federation is here to offer resources and support in this back to school season.
Elected Officials
1. Join Us: School Board Candidate Forum
Following July’s successful candidate forum with candidates for County Sheriff and MI State Rep, JCRC will be hosting another forum on Sunday, September 29, 6:30-8:30pm. This time around, the conversation will feature all seven candidates for Ann Arbor Public Schools School Board:
Ernesto Querijero (incumbent)
Leslie Wilkins
Glynda Wilks
Megan Kanous
Don Wilkerson
Eric Sturgis
Torchio Feaster (partial term)
2. Forging Relationships
JCRC is always working to strengthen the relationship between the Jewish community and political leaders on all levels. These relationships are crucial to keeping elected officials informed of the needs and goals of a diverse Jewish community, as well as to advocate for wider societal issues that the Jewish community is concerned about, from environmental sustainability to refugee care to gun safety. In focusing on Jewish students, JCRC Director Rabbi Asher Lopatin has met with two Democratic nominees for University of Michigan Board of Regents, Denise Ilitch and Shauna Ryder Diggs, to ensure that they recognize the Jewish community’s needs even before they are possibly elected.
For K-12 Parents
1. Next Steps for Parents Group
JCRC was excited to gather members of our group of Parents of Jewish Children in Washtenaw County Schools on July 25. Leadership has been reviewing feedback provided by a follow-up survey that was circulated to attendees. Soon, the group will reconvene in smaller, more action-oriented teams on topics such as interfaith relationships, religious education, working with the Ann Arbor school board, and antisemitism in schools. Be on the lookout for email invites to get involved! If you already know you’re interested in leading or co-leading one of these sub-groups, please reach out to Asher Lopatin, at asher@jewishannarbor.org.
2. Advocating for Students
JCRC Director Rabbi Asher Lopatin has taken ideas generated at July’s Parents Group meeting and begun taking action. Along with JCRC chairs Wendy Lawrence and Decky Alexander, Rabbi Lopatin has been following up on initiatives to improve reporting of antisemitic and hateful incidents in schools, as well as working on bringing Jewish and Muslims parents together to advocate against antisemitism and other forms of hate. Rabbi Lopatin has already or will soon meet with school board members, AAPS Superintendent Jazz Parks, and DEI heads from U-M and EMU as well as Hindu, African American, Muslim and Catholic interfaith leaders to magnify the concerns and needs of Jewish students.
3. Antisemitism Webinar for Education Professionals – Sept 12
The ADL is hosting a webinar for parents/caregivers, teachers, administrators, and support staff dedicated to cultivating a compassionate and inclusive classroom environment where all students feel included.
SHARE WIDELY!
Championing Justice: Fostering Allyship for Jewish Students and Inclusive Classrooms
Thursday, September 12 at 4pm EST
Register here.
Navigating college
1. National webinar featuring Ann Arbor’s own Shane Dennis – Sept. 5
Navigating the New College Year: Addressing Antisemitism on Campus
Thursday, September 5 at 4:00 PM EST
A webinar for students, families, and community members to navigate campus incidents for Jewish students to ensure our students feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive on campus.
Featuring expert speakers:
- Melissa Garlick, Senior Director of Combating Antisemitism and Building Civic Engagement at CJP Boston
- Dan Gold, CEO & Executive Director at UCLA Hillel
- Shane Dennis, Community Security Manager in Ann Arbor
Register here.
2. University of Michigan highlights updated policies as new school year begins
As students return to campus for the fall semester, the university has taken steps to highlight existing policies around free speech and create new ones related to student disciplinary procedures and campus operations in order to help provide a safe and supportive campus environment for everyone.
JCRC thanks the leadership of UM for continuing to reinforce – and enforce – these policies.
Read the article here.