What a whirlwind these last two weeks have been, from Rosh Hashanah and the start of 5785 to the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 and this weekend’s Yom Kippur services. As I’ve shared, the start of this Jewish year is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced.

On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, I had the distinct privilege and opportunity to “tour our community” as I spoke at three of our community’s congregations (Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock, Temple Ami Shalom in West Covina, and Temple Sholom of Ontario). Then, on Yom Kippur, I spoke at my congregation (Temple Beth David in Temple City).

In my remarks, I shared that while antisemitism and anti-Jewish sentiment are at levels we have not seen in at least 60 years, significant efforts are being made, and there are signs of optimism. As an example, I shared an insight from a special meeting coordinated by the ADL, where I and other local Jewish organizational leaders met with US Attorney Martin Estrada and the FBI’s LA Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis. Over the course of the meeting, they commented on how they are aware that many people have compared what we are experiencing right now with the rise of antisemitism and hate in society to what transpired in the 1930s. However, as they pointed out, unlike then, both the federal government and law enforcement are doing everything they possibly can to help protect those who are targeted for hate.

During my talks, I also used the moment to officially announce a new venture our Jewish Federation was launching, or more accurately, re-launching after a 20-year hiatus. That is our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). So, what exactly is a JCRC, and what will it do?

Our JCRC aims to help support our Jewish Federation within its advocacy role on behalf of the local Jewish community. Under my direction as Executive Director, this group, made up of selected community members from across our community, will help us confront and respond to a wide range of areas including, but not limited to, antisemitism, anti-Jewish sentiment, the local implementation of ethnic studies, issues in and around the community that require a Jewish response, outreach to local school districts, as well as enhance and expand our relationships with local elected officials and bodies.

Over the last several years, as our Jewish Federation has expanded its advocacy efforts to confront antisemitism and the rise of hate that our Jewish community has been the target of since October 7, I have come to understand that we needed a more robust approach in dealing with these issues for our community. As JCRCs exist throughout our country, both as efforts by the Jewish Federation and as separate nonprofit organizations, I decided, in consultation with our board, that now was the time to bring back our community’s JCRC. And in the last few weeks, I have had several meetings with representatives from the Jewish Federations of North America, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and even a former professor and dean of mine from Hebrew Union College who used to be the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles (a position he held for ten years).

As we begin our next thirty years as an organization, I am very excited about adding our JCRC to what our Jewish Federation is doing. I promise to keep our community informed about our efforts to ensure that the voice of our local Jewish community is heard throughout the greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.