JCRC is a coalition of Jewish organizations and individuals that creates relationships and works toward common civic goals within the Greater Boston Community. We are the civic affairs and advocacy arm of the organized Jewish community, with a Council of 40 member organizations from all over Greater Boston. We function at the intersection between the Jewish community and the broader community of citizens, groups and civic entities.  JCRC of Greater Boston is currently seeking a multitalented marketing and communications professional to join their Boston team as Marketing Coordinator on a ..read more

In a time of profound pain, when so many people are choosing to use unproductive and polarizing language to turn us against each other, we, as a Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), continue to call on civic leaders to reject language that force us into binary narratives and that trigger fear and trauma.  Today we learned about remarks that Senator Warren made recently regarding the legal case being waged against Israel under international law. At JCRC, we have long been in a relationship of friendship and honest discourse with Senator Warren about our community’s experiences and co ..read more

So often, what goes on in schools can feel highly regulated. Curriculum frameworks, mandates, and standardized tests dictate so much of the day-to-day rhythm of classroom life. But there are moments of rupture that upend the predictable flow of education. And there is an urgent need for leadership in such moments. The Hamas-orchestrated attack on Israel on October 7th was a seismic and traumatic disruption. The ongoing war in Gaza is similarly so for the millions of Israelis and Palestinians that are profoundly and irrevocably affected in immeasurable ways. The reverberations of anguish touch ..read more

RE: CEASEFIRE WARRANT ARTICLE   We want to make Brookline residents aware of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for WA 19 Public Hearing on Monday, April 8, from 7-10pm. This is a public hearing followed by a public meeting on Warrant Article 19, a “Resolution calling for a ceasefire and lasting peace” and on proposed amendments – in advance of the item being considered at the Town Meeting, May 28th.  During the April 8th public hearing, members of the public will have an opportunity to offer comments on items under consideration.  You can view and downlo ..read more

Dear Valued Members of Our Community,  Since the events of October 7, 2023, we have seen a rapid deterioration of public discourse and an acceleration of binary and reductive narratives about Jews, Palestinians, Israel, and the war in Gaza. We have seen this from city and town halls and in public statements from organizations – narrowing the space for understanding and dialogue. This narrowing has led to so many in our community feeling isolated, afraid, and without voice.   It is our job as a community relations council to bridge this discourse and to widen the conversation – wh ..read more

In his poignant article in Jewish Boston, Andrew Zelermyer, VP of our Executive Committee, shares his reflections on travel to Israel since Oct. 7 and the importance of making it safe. Read the Full Article Here   The post But Is It Safe? By Executive Committee VP, Andrew Zelermyer appeared first on JCRC ..read more

Ruth B. Fein z”l, JCRC’s President from 1993-1995, was laid to rest this week. In the words of our CEO, Jeremy Burton, Ruth was “an absolute giant of the Boston Jewish community, who died Sunday at the age of 96. She was the first woman to do many things, including chairing the board of CJP. She was a major force within the JCRC of Greater Boston, which she chaired from 1993-1995… She was also the founding chair of the New England Holocaust Memorial (for which we are proud to continue to run the educational content) and of the Jewish Coalition for Literacy, which we continue to host locally ..read more

MESSAGE TO THE BROOKLINE COMMUNITY  We want to make Brookline residents aware of the Select Board Meeting tonight, Tuesday March 12, 6pm, at which there will be public comment on warrant articles including a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza (Item 7, article 19 on the agenda). This is in advance of the item being considered at Town Meeting in May.  First, we encourage Brookline residents to read the resolution and the proposed alternative here (page 114 of the agenda packet).   We also encourage you to read JCRC’s guidance regarding l ..read more

Job Title: Director, Staff and Operations Location: Boston, MA Compensation: $85K – $90K Schedule/ Shift: 35 hours/week Company Intro The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston (JCRC) is a coalition of organizations and individuals that represent and advance the values, interests, and priorities of the organized Jewish community in Greater Boston. Through our network of agencies, programs, and partnerships, we: Serve as a catalyst for building a strong and vibrant Jewish community in Boston and around the world; Advocate for a safe, secure, Jewish, and democratic state of Israe ..read more

In recent days, city councils in Somerville and Cambridge have debated and endorsed resolutions weighing in on the topic of a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and humanitarian aid to Gaza. We at JCRC Boston have actively engaged with community members and city councilors in both cities during the leadup to these votes. With more conversations like these happening around the region and the country, it behooves us to share the elements of the conversations we are having with community members and local elected officials.  In many of these cases, the institutions weighing in now on a cea ..read more