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February 22, 2002/Adar 10, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 23
'Community' beyond borders
CATHY WOLF
Special to Jewish News
A community is a group of people living in the same locality or having common interests or identity. But what does this mean for us as community members?
The definition of "community" does not include any of the actions that are involved in creating and/or maintaining such a group. As members of the Jewish community, we understand what a community should provide for its members, our families. Over the past two weeks, I have once again seen members of the Phoenix Jewish community come together during a tragedy and an illness to offer support and compassion. We know what a family needs and we are there to help. During times of crisis, differences are put aside and everyone pitches in.
But as a Jewish community, we must look at the larger picture as well. We must provide support when dealing with our family of organizations, our community groups and our congregations. It takes commitment and energy to build a community. It means working together for our common goals. The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is committed to building more community partnerships - first with our Jewish community and then with the greater secular community.
For more than 10 years, the JCRC has taken several concrete steps to build community. First, the JCRC board has welcomed representatives from Jewish organizations, congregations and agencies, bringing everyone to the same table for quarterly meetings. There are currently more than 25 Jewish organizations represented on our board. The JCRC plans to reach out to those who haven't yet joined the general board. Furthermore, we're working to define the programs that will allow us to work together, sharing volunteer opportunities and educational programs with the entire community, and appreciating our diversity.
The Joint Task Force on Religion in the Public Schools, a JCRC committee, has worked with three Jewish community organizations, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the Bureau of Jewish Education, during the last 13 years assisting Jewish parents, students and school personnel when faced with questions and problems in their public schools. Over the last several years, the Government Relations Committee of the JCRC has planned programs with legislators, inviting all segments of the Jewish community to participate with us. Again, the goal is to work for the community as a whole.
Additionally, our community support is needed more than ever in Israel. The JCRC has created an Israel Task Force, providing an opportunity for Jewish community groups to share information, advocacy tools and speaking engagements concerning Israel. This creates more effective use of our resources and to build on each organization's strengths. The JCRC's Israel Affairs Committee has developed an advocacy program, bringing in Jewish community members from different organizations to write letters to our elected officials and to our local media.
As in any family, we share tears in times of sorrow and laughter in times of joy. By working together we can support, create and dream of those ideals by which we want our family to live. I challenge you and your organizations to get involved and to build our Jewish community by working together.
Cathy Wolf is the director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
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