A Jewish Voice For Social Justice, Advocacy and Israel

At the core of our Community Relations work at the Rochester Federation are commitments to Tzedek, pursuing justice, and Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.  We are working to build a Jewish community committed to learning, caring and social justice in our city, our country and in Israel.  We embrace Tzedek as the foundation of our work, acknowledging that the pursuit of justice is not a choice; it is a primary obligation of Jewish life.  To this end, we work in cooperation with Jewish community partners and with those in other ethnic and religious communities on key areas of concern.

Social Justice

Our CRC encourages Jewish organizations and their members to engage in meaningful social justice work that serves as a vital link between the Jewish community and our neighbors.

During the past four years, we have engaged 150-200 volunteers annually to participate in the Rochester Jewish Coalition for Literacy enabling students in Rochester city schools to have one-on-one tutors preparing them to read at grade level. For information about getting involved in the literacy project, contact Isobel Goldman at igoldman@jewishrochester.org.

Previously we organized "Bayt Simcha", the building of a Habitat for Humanity house in Rochester's old Jewish neighborhood.  We have been instrumental in assuring a safe place for abused Jewish women through the establishment of the 24-hour Sara Line.  We are members of coalitions with other ethnic and religious groups including forums on Interfaith Health Care, Poverty and Labor Coalitions, as well as Mayor William A. Johnson's Coalition on Race and Ethnicity.

Our noon-time interfaith bible study is now in its 14th successful year of programming, now "Studying the Bible through Art and Popular Culture." For a look at this unique series and the 2009-10 schedule, download our brochure.  For more information about this year's series, contact igoldman@jewishrochester.org.

The Commission on Jewish Muslim Understanding of the Jewish Community Federation and the Islamic Center of Rochester sponsors periodic discussions, free and open to the community. Visit us regularly for updates.

Read about our Rome Mission with members of the Catholic community marking our historic Rochester Agreement. Find out about the Brennan-Goldman Institute, established in June 2006 in honor of the Federation's Community Relations Director Isobel Goldman and Rev. Joe Brennan, to further Rochester Catholic Jewish relations.

Advocacy

Whether we are speaking out for health care concerns, working on behalf of peace with security for Israel, or lobbying for hate crime legislation, gun control, or urban sprawl, we have helped to forge coalitions between grassroots activists and elected officials to influence public policy.  Highlights of our domestic advocacy agenda have included issues related to domestic violence, genetic privacy, and emerging faith-based initiative concerns.  Each year, we sponsor a legislative gathering for state and local elected officials.  We participate in the annual Jewish Council for Public Affairs Plenum, establishing a national legislative agenda for our Jewish community, and a yearly Upstate New York trip to visit with elected officials in Albany.

"HEADLINERS"

Do you feel helpless about genocide in Darfur?

Did you know that child abuse in Rochester is growing?

Do we have the “right to die”?

If these or other pressing questions concern you, consider joining us for a unique series initiated by the Federation’s Community Relations Committee. We've rallied for Darfur and listened to Mayor Robert Duffy and School Superintendent Manual Rivera address the growing crisis of poverty among Rochester school children. We've initiated major projects concerning the environment including drives to encourage the use of compact florescent light bulbs and recycling practices. Through “Headliners,” you can become more in touch with the current events in our lives by reading through, and beyond the headlines.

Questions? Contact Isobel Goldman, igoldman@jewishrochester.org.

Israel

In this area of Community Relations, we respond to needs in Israel as they arise and implement programs designed to engage synagogues, organizations and individual members of the Rochester Jewish Community.

We offer regular opportunities (roughly four times per year) to get updates on Israel affairs from experts on Israel's political scene.

We have initiated:

• The Blue Ribbon Campaign, showing our support for and solidarity with Israel
• Community rallies in support of Israel
  Special Israel speakers including David Horowitz, Reporter; Allison Sommer, Author; Mark Regev, Washington Consulate representative; and Raphael Danziger, AIPAC.
• Prayers for Peace, a pre-Pesach campaign in which over 300 original prayers written by Hebrew school students were sent to the Tali School in Gilo
• Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebrations Get a feel for Rochester's incredible celebration of Israel @ 60 with Israeli world music sensation Idan Raichel on May 11th! This festive day, including a fair, parade and the concert, culminated a year of Israel @ 60 events including a speaker series and family events.