JCRC Blog
A Complex Relationship
Posted on May 22, 2013 by Jeremy Burton, under JCRC General
As featured in The Jewish Advocate
In the weeks since the Boston Marathon bombing, the interfaith community came together to support Gov. Deval Patrick’s gathering and his call to our civic faith.
The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) gathered hundreds to pray and reflect with candidates for U.S. Senate. Temple Israel opened its doors to a displaced church. The American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the American Islamic Congress (AIC) convened a public dialogue in a church only blocks away from the finish line.
Thinking Fast and Slow
Posted on May 20, 2013 by Leora Kling Perkins, under Literacy
Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow explores common errors that people make when forming impressions and making decisions. For example, we tend to do a very poor job of understanding statistics, leaving individuals, organizations, and governments prone to making unwise choices. One example, about school reform, will be familiar to anyone who read Diane Ravitch’s The Life and Death of the American School System, which I wrote about in a previous post.
Letter to the Globe
Posted on May 14, 2013 by JCRC, under JCRC General
The Boston Globe published an editorial on Saturday supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, in the context of supporting Prof. Stephen Hawking’s decision to boycott a conference in Israel. The editorial is here.
JCRC submitted the letter below to the Globe in response.
Book of the Month: May-- Younger Readers
Posted on May 13, 2013 by Vita Weinstein Murrow, under Literacy: Book of the Month
In May, we celebrate Latino Book month.In Metro Boston over 40% of all students in our schools identify as Latino and represent populations from Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South or Central America, and other Spanish cultural origins. It is important for all students to see representations and experiences from their culture and communities in literature, non-fiction and media. Students also benefit from access to authors who share and celebrate diverse backgrounds. That is why this month we bring you a bilingual book for younger readers that features Spanish and English.
Volunteer This Summer
Posted on May 6, 2013 by Leora Kling Perkins, under Literacy
It warms my heart when tutors, sad to say goodbye to their student in June, ask me about summer tutoring opportunities. While GBJCL does not offer summer volunteer programs directly, we are happy to point you in the direction of organizations that do. Click on this post to see our suggestions.
Book of the Month: April-- Older Readers
Posted on April 29, 2013 by Vita Weinstein Murrow, under Literacy: Book of the Month
For older readers we’ve selected another great book that delves into issues of identity, difference and inclusion. In this more mature selection, readers will get to know a Muslim teen going against the grain, preserving her customs and connecting with herself and others in new ways.
Learning How to Read
Posted on April 22, 2013 by Leora Kling Perkins, under Literacy
Please read the following question and answer it: +¨¦ ⱡ¤∞ ∑§‡←?
Let me guess—it looks like gibberish to you. I’m guessing the task would have be much easier if I had given you a glossary, a chart mapping each of those letters to a sound, or at least illustrations.
At GBJCL’s volunteer trainings this fall, we asked nearly 50 new tutors to use all three of those tools to translate a book written in a language that looked very much like the sentence written above.
Strength in Community After the Marathon
Posted on April 22, 2013 by Jeremy Burton, under JCRC General
JCRC is an active member of Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO). On Sunday April 21st, GBIO was scheduled to have a public action to engage with candidates - in advance of the April 30 primary for the US Senate special election - regarding a range of our shared priorities including gun violence and immigration reform. In the aftermath of the marathon bombings, GBIO's leadership decided to change the purpose of the gathering to one of prayer and reflection on the violence of the prior week and in our society. I was privileged to be asked to share this reflection at the gathering of over 500 Christian, Muslim and Jewish partners who were joined by Congressmen Stephen Lynch and Ed Markey:
Book of the Month: April-- Younger Readers
Posted on April 15, 2013 by Vita Weinstein Murrow, under Literacy: Book of the Month
April is Celebrate diversity month, although every day can be an opportunity to embrace our similarities and differences. This month we bring you a book for younger readers that speak to inclusion, identity and challenging the norm.
Poetry Booklist
Posted on April 8, 2013 by Leora Kling Perkins, under Literacy: Booklist
April is Poetry month! To inspire young poetry aficionados, we share with you a list of 5 creative books of poetry to intrigue and delight you.These books use poetry as a mode of expression, playing on old themes or introducing new ones.
Hidden Impact
Posted on March 28, 2013 by Leora Kling Perkins, under Literacy
Ever hear a story you can’t shake? This one stuck with me after I heard it on a recent episode of the radio show “This American Life” (TAL)
A high school employee named Marcel Smith encountered a young man in the hallway on the verge of tears. “What’s going on?” he asked. The student described how his teacher had distributed cookies as a reward, and he had taken more than his share. When asked to return the extra, he refused, and was asked to leave class.
The student explained to Marcel that because of an unsafe situation with his family, he had not gone home the night before, and had not eaten. He took the extra food because he was hungry, and out of embarrassment, refused to explain why. Marcel gave the child some cereal, helped him calm down, and he was able to return to class.
We Thank Mayor Menino for His Years of Service and Partnership
Posted on March 28, 2013 by JCRC, under JCRC General
Dear Mayor Menino,
On behalf of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston we thank you for your dedication and commitment to the City of Boston throughout your career. These past twenty years under your stewardship as Mayor have been a time of profound renewal for our city. The Jewish community has been privileged to work with your administration to ensure that the City remains a welcoming city of opportunity to people, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. It is beyond debate that the City you have led has been a beacon of light for the rest of the world to follow.
A Passover Greeting from our Leadership
Posted on March 25, 2013 by JCRC, under JCRC General
Tonight we celebrate the first night of Passover. Scattered across Greater Boston and the world, we will take part in a tradition that unites us all as one family.
In that spirit, we would like to share a D’var Torah from our board meeting last week, delivered by JCRC Vice President Beth Moskowitz. As you’ll read, Beth wove the Passover story together with our work to create a message that beautifully communicates the core values of Boston’s Jewish community. We are very pleased to share the importance of our work through the eyes of one of our volunteer leaders.
Book of the Month: March-- Older Readers
Posted on March 18, 2013 by Vita Weinstein Murrow, under Literacy: Book of the Month
Set in 1899 Texas, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly is the story of Calpurnia, the only daughter in a family with six brothers. Yet, that is not the only thing that sets Calpurnia apart. She has a distinct interest in the world around her and is curious about nature, animals and bugs of all things.
Book of the Month: March-- Younger Readers
Posted on March 11, 2013 by Vita Weinstein Murrow, under Literacy: Book of the Month
March is Women’s History Month and GBJCL is proud to celebrate by featuring two female authors and their contributions to the array of books presenting women throughout time. GBJCL has scoured blogs, publishers and many a library list. After sifting through books about women in war time and female peace keepers, women in the arts and sciences, suffragettes and pioneers, teachers, nurses and political leaders, we bring you two titles which examine roles for girls and women from unique points of view.
Strength and Resilience: Community Holocaust Commemoration of Yom HaShoah
Posted on March 7, 2013 by JCRC, under Holocaust Awareness
April 7th, 10:30am–12:30pm, Faneuil Hall, Boston
Please join the Jewish Community Relations Council for the Holocaust Commemoration of Yom HaShoah, as we gather to preserve the memory of the millions who perished during Holocaust and pay tribute to those who survived.
Speaking out against comments made by Prime Minister Erdogan
Posted on March 4, 2013 by JCRC, under JCRC General
Since his comments last week in which he called Zionism a "crime against humanity," organizations and legislators have spoken out condemning the remarks made by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan.
For ease of reference, we've created a post collecting links to some of these statements.
Stories About Leadership
Posted on March 4, 2013 by Leora Kling Perkins, under Literacy: Booklist
What does it mean to be a leader? Today, we bring you a list of fictional children’s books which explore this very question. In these stories, children (and animals) take initiative, inspire others, fight injustice, and learn how complex leadership truly is.
Senator Elizabeth Warren releases a statement on comments made by Prime Minister Erdogan
Posted on March 4, 2013 by JCRC, under JCRC General
Senator Elizabeth Warren released the following statement to JCRC late last week. Follow the link below for the full text.
Book of the Month: February-- Bonus Book
Posted on February 25, 2013 by Vita Weinstein Murrow, under Literacy: Book of the Month
Ever spot a fellow who reminds you of Lincoln? Maybe in height or facial hair? In Maira Kalman’s presidential book, a girl passes a Lincoln look-alike and wonders about the sixteenth president.
