Jewish Community Relations Council
We work to help Iowans learn more about our community and the issues that concern us.
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is the non-partisan, inter-group relations and public affairs committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. Learn more about our activities and how you can get involved.
Our Work
Consistent with the goals and values of the Jewish Federation, JCRC works in the following areas.
Advocacy
Advocates for causes on behalf of the Jewish Federation
Jewish Leadership
Maintains relations with national Jewish organizations and Jewish community leaders statewide
Security
Helps ensure the security of the Jewish community through working with law enforcement
Public Relations
Promotes relations with elected officials, civic, religious, and ethnic leaders, school officials, the media, and the general public
Communications
Informs the community by means of e-newsletters, Facebook pages, the Jewish Press, and relevant programming
The Issues
Our community relations work spans a wide range of areas but is focused on specific issues.
- Combating and educating about modern Anti-Semitism
- Promoting and conducting Holocaust education
- Educating about the establishment of the State of Israel, placing current events involving Israel in context and advocating for Israel’s safety and security
- Ensuring the continued separation between religion and state
- Building intergroup relations
- Promoting civil and human rights and civic involvement
- Educating about the modern streams of Judaism
- Advocating to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and for combating hunger in Central Iowa
Community Resources
Stay up to date on the latest community happenings, events, issues and news using our list of local, state and international Jewish resources.
We also welcome you to subscribe to emails from the JCRC based on your interests.