Interfaith and Intergroup Relations
Through partnerships, events, community programs and discussions, JCRC/AJC works to maintain and improve ongoing relationships with major ethnic, religious, racial and civic groups in metropolitan Detroit. Our outreach to diverse groups, including the Muslim, Black, Hindu and Latino communities, enables us to collaborate on issues, such as minority rights and immigration reform.
JCRC/AJC works regularly with the Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC), Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity and Interfaith Leadership Council, among other groups. Bridge building initiatives include Mitzvah Day with the MMCC and the 2018 launch of the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity with the Council of Baptist Pastors.
Israel
JCRC/AJC advocates, educates and mobilizes the local community to take action in support of Israel, including advocating for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and promoting a successful Middle East peace process.
Specifically, JCRC/AJC’s pro-Israel activities include:
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- Media and Government Relations
- Grassroots and Campus Advocacy
- Further educating the Jewish and non-Jewish communities about Israel, including its advancements, quest for peace and security, role in the Middle East and importance to the world
- Supporting the many partnerships between Israel and the local community, including the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s Partnership2Gether
- Participating in Israel-related events
Literacy
In October 2016, the Michigan legislature passed a law stating that third-grade students, starting with those attending during the 2018-2019 academic year, could be held back if they are more than one grade level behind in reading, based on their standardized test scores. The following year, results from M-STEP, a statewide assessment program, found that only 9.9 percent of Detroit Public School District’s third-graders were proficient readers, compared to the statewide rate of 44.1 percent.
These statistics have only emphasized the need for programs such as JCRC/AJC’s Detroit Jewish Coalition for Literacy (DJCL), an umbrella organization that seeks to increase the Jewish community’s involvement in the fight against illiteracy. Throughout the year, DJCL leadership mobilizes and trains volunteer readers, tutors and book drive organizers who serve thousands of students in programs established in Detroit Public Schools and public schools throughout Oakland County.
Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year and times flexible. For more information contact Melissa Gould, at gould@jfmd.org or 248-642-5393.