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Spring 2005 Newsletter

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Indiana State Round-Up

Volume I, Number  I, Spring 2005

 

What's the Round-Up all About?

     The Indianapolis JCRC is excited to announce the re-institution of our Statewide Roundup Newsletter.  The purpose of this newsletter is to help circulate information about community relations activities and to serve as  a regular outlet through which we can communicate and keep each other informed about the latest news in each community!    

     There are exciting and important things unfolding in Jewish communities around the State that we should all know about!   We encourage everyone to contribute information!

JCRC Day at the IGA         

Legislative Update

     JCRC’s legislative agenda is informed by Isaiah’s charge to “seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow.”  We recognize that society which is physically healthy, economically independent, and educated is a safer society in which Jews can live and prosper.

     Our priorities therefore include the support for a clear separation of church and state (opposition to prayer in school and private school vouchers) and the promotion of quality public education (support for fully-funded full day kindergarten).  JCRC is an active member in Coalitions that address children, economic justice, reproductive rights, and long term care issues.  We closely follow the budget process and funding streams supporting programs such as Medicaid.  We advocate that the State’s financial crisis should not be solved on the backs of the most vulnerable and in-need Hoosiers.

     The legislative session will come to a close by the end of April; look for a final and detailed legislative report in the summer issue of this newsletter.  We encourage all Indiana Jewish communities to join JCRC in public policy discussions. 

     2005 marks the 60th anniversary of the Allied liberation of the Nazi Death Camps.  From January through May of 1945, the Allies worked to free the victims of Nazi persecution.  This year, in observance of both the liberation of the death camps as well as Yom HaShoah, the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana is hosting an exhibit, 'LEST WE FORGET' which memorializes the six million Jews, along with millions of others, that were killed during this tragic period in history.  The exhibit will be on display during the week of April 11-17, 2005.

     In Fort Wayne, a Yom HaShoah commemorative service and talk will be observed on Monday, May 2nd when Gerda Weissman Klein tells her powerful story about surviving the Holocaust. 

     South Bend will be holding their communitywide Holocaust Observance Memorial on May 5th at the St. Joseph County Courthouse.

     Every year, the Indianapolis JCRC organizes the official statewide and government Holocaust Obervance in the Rotunda of the State House. 

Genocide in the 21st Century: Darfur, Sudan

     The emergency in Sudan’s northwestern region of Darfur presents the starkest challenge to the world since the Rwanda genocide in 1994.  Since February 2003, government-backed Arab militias, known as the Janjaweed, have been engaged in a systematic program of expulsion, rape and murderous violence to wipe out entire communities of African tribal farmers.  Villages have been razed, women and girls are systematically raped and branded, men and boys murdered, and food and water supplies specifically targeted and destroyed.  Government air raids have frequently preceded or followed militia attacks.  The Sudanese army and police continue to attack camps in South Darfur and forcibly relocate Internally Displaced persons (IDPs), while refusing access to aid agencies. 

     The U.S. Administration and Congress have termed the crisis in Sudan “genocide;” however, the United Nations is still conducting and investigation to establish such status.  For the first time in its history, the Committee on Conscience of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has declared a “genocide emergency” in  Sudan. 

     Simply put, there is no question that what is happening in Darfur is genocide.  The Jewish community has a special obligation to speak on this issue, even if we have to speak alone! 

     Please educate yourself and your community on the tragedy unfolding in Darfur.

     In addition, please encourage your community’s members to contact Indiana’s Members of Congress!  Our congressional delegation will be responsive on this issue only if they hear from us! 

Bloomington Initiatives:  Darfur and Community Relations

     A group of volunteers from Temple Beth Shalom in Bloomington have formed a local Save Darfur Committee with members of several area churches.  To this end, their initiatives include: letter-writing campaigns in local congregations, a proposed resolution for City Council, a free community screening of Hotel Rwanda, and a teach-in on the genocide in Darfur.

     The Bloomington Jewish community has also initiated a work-group on “religious values” that have emerged since recent elections. They are reaching out to build alliances with other faith communities and act on issues of shared religious values, such as relief for the poor and protection of the environment.

     For more information on Bloomington initiatives, please contact Rabbi Mira Wasserman at: miraw@bluemarble.net.

Indy Federation Celebrates 100!

     In honor of its 100th anniversary, the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is celebrating with the biennium centennial observance.  The JFGI inaugurated the festivities with an opening event in early 2004, featuring a national exhibition of Jewish Life in the American West, at the Eiteljorg Museum.  The celebrations continued with a centennial concert by renowned Israeli musician David Broza, in November. 

This Spring, JFGI is sponsoring a second centennial concert at the Indiana Roof Ballroom on April 17, 2005.  This free program features the music of several Jewish composers as played by the Indy Pops Orchestra, conducted by Tom Akins. 

On May 4th the JFGI keeps the festivities going with the Centennial Endowment Recognition Dinner.  The evening will mark both the JFGI's 100th anniversary and the 350th anniversary of Jewish life in North America.  Guest speaker for the evening will be Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz, Dean of List College at the Jewish Theological Seminary, who will discuss the American Jewish Experience.

Annual CTS Forum

     On April 11, 2005 the JCRC and the Christian Theological Seminary will co-host their 23rd Annual Forum on Jewish-Christian Relations.  This program will feature Dr. Richard Horsley, a leading figure in the study of religion, discussing “Jesus and Empire:  The Kingdom of God and The New Order.”  Rabbi Dennis Sasso, of Congregation Beth El Zedek in Indianapolis, will also be featured as one of the speakers in a spirited panel discussion.  The event promises a critical examination of the impact of the Roman Empire on early Christianity and Formative Judaism, as well as the effects of “empire” on the relationship between Christians and Jews today. 

     For a registration form or additional information please call the JCRC at (317) 926-2935.

Israel Day in South Bend

     South Bend held a Community Israel Culture Day  on Sunday, March 27th.  The program featured Israeli dancing and music, food, arts and crafts, and a real-time video conference with Israel.  The event was a huge success, offering a very creative and fun way to educate the community about Israel!  For more information on Israel Day events, contact Mickey Gitzin at Mickey@Jfedsjv.org. 

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