JCRC Update - June 2012
From left to right: Barbara Shore, Reverend Kevin Jones, Dr. Luis Fleischman, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County
On June 9, the Reverend Kevin Jones, co-chair of the African-American/Jewish Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), was honored at the "Men of Excellence Awards" event, in recognition of his work with the Jewish community. Committee co-chair Barbara Shore and JCRC Executive Director Luis Fleischman attended, before Fleischman went on to adress Muslim high school graduates at a special ceremony,
Governor Scott speaks about Iran bill and Israel security.
On June 11, Governor Rick Scott reenacted the signing of Financial Institutions Act, legislation vigorously promted by the JCRC and sponsored by Senator Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and Representative Mack Bernard (D-West Palm Beach). JCRC Chair Jonathan Gilbert introduced the Governor and spoke about the importance of passing this bill.
The JCRC has been coordinating meetings in an attempt to mitigate -- or defeat -- an anti-Israel resoultion that will be discussed at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that will take place in Pittsgburgh June 30 to July 7, and working to ensure that other JCRCs, Federations, rabbis, Hillel and other Jewish organizations in Florida approach the commissioners who represent their regions.
The JCRC and Pastor's Association of Broward and Palm Beach will co-sponsor a two-day community-wide program in support of Israel beginning on Sunday August 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Beth El, where Jewish and Evangelical leaders will focus on cooperation when Israel faces external military and nuclear threats. The event will feature high-level Israeli personalities, Israel's Ambassador to the U.N., Robert Prosor, and Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin. Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, Congressmen Allen West, Ted Deutch, Alcee Hastings and Tom Rooney, as well as House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen have also been invited to speak. Workshops on such diverse issues as interfaith relations, and the deligitimization of Israel are scheduled for Monday.