Jewish Community Relations Council

“Anyone who can protest against the transgressions of one’s household and does not, is liable for the actions of the members of the household; anyone who can protest against the transgressions of one’s townspeople and does not, is liable for the transgressions of the townspeople; anyone who can protest against the transgressions of the entire world and does not is liable for the transgressions of the entire world.” (Talmud Bavli Shabbat 54b-55a)

The Jewish Community Relations Council is dedicated to working in common cause to enhance cooperation with other religious, racial, ethnic, and civic groups to foster a just, democratic and pluralistic society as well as promote the security of Israel and Jews everywhere. Guided by Jewish values, the JCRC is a nonpartisan agency that advocates, educates, collaborates, and mobilizes action on issues important to the Jewish Community and the greater community.

That work requires fostering and strengthening relationships across groups from different communities as well as our own, and often, communities with different beliefs, perspectives, and priorities.

Traditional Jewish Areas of Interest and Concern:
  • Antisemitism
  • Reproductive Rights
  • Gun Safety
  • Immigration
  • LGBTQ+ Rights
  • Israel
  • Public Education
  • Environmental Justice
  • Poverty, Homelessness and Affordable Housing
  • Hate & Discrimination
  • Hunger

Our policy priorities are driven by our Jewish values and input from our Jewish community:

  • Combatting antisemitism
  • Advocating for a safe, strong Jewish democratic state of Israel
  • Advocate to protect our constitutionally guaranteed separation of religion and government
  • Supporting and advocating on behalf of refugees and immigrants
  • Healthcare and Human Services and the advancement of access, innovations, and inclusion to care and services that honor the dignity and needs of all people. Each according to their own needs and beliefs
  • Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access – confronting racism, and discrimination, including those harming LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities
  • Advocating to maintain a democratic and pluralistic society through unfettered access to civic engagement

View the most recent survey results of our Jewish communal priorities here.

Some of the work the JCRC is focusing on includes:

  • Responding to incidents of hate and antisemitism across our community
  • Work with our campus Security Manager and local law enforcement
  • Providing outreach and resources to administrators, teachers, and students
  • Reporting local incidents to the ADL database
  • Providing opportunities to increase engagement  across the synagogues and Jewish  organizations in our community
  • Building relationships and coalitions to pro-actively address and respond to issues of paramount importance to our Jewish community and the community at large
  • Reaching out to civil rights organizations and marginalized communities to work together to achieve similar goals
  • Providing allyship and anti-bias curriculum and training
  • Advocating for the Jewish people, Israel, and marginalized communities
  • Working with elected officials and community partners on issues that impact our community and marginalized communities

Cyber Security Alert

December 17, 2022

One of the loosely organized hate groups in our area is setting up fake websites that pose as real synagogue websites. They look almost identical to real synagogue websites. They send a mass spam email and/or text messages asking people to click on a link that will take you to a fake website to make donations to your synagogue.
Please use caution! Speak with your parents and grandparents who may not be aware of these scams. Synagogues generally don’t run this type of campaign. Remind your less tech-savvy loved ones never to click on or donate to links you are not sure about.
When in doubt, call your synagogue before responding to suspicious emails or text messages.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our JFO Security Manager, James Donahue at jdonahue@jewishomaha.org. You can also report suspicious emails and text messages to the JCRC by calling 402.334.6572.

Responding to Antisemitism

Report An Incident

Report An Incident

If you encounter an antisemitic or other hate incident, you are not alone. Your first call should be to the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) in Omaha at 402-334-6572, or email JCRCreporting@jewishomaha.org. Our office will contact law enforcement if necessary and report it to the ADL for data collection and additional support. Learn More

Report Suspicious Activity

Report Suspicious Activity

The Secure Community Network (SCN) has created an Incident Reporting Form (IRF) to standardize an online form for the public to use to report threats, incidents, or suspicious activity related to Jewish organizations, facilities, or community members. Learn More

Combating Antisemitisim Resources

Combating Antisemitisim Resources

The JCRC offers resources that will spark conversations and empower you to respond to antisemitic incidents and comments you might encounter Learn More

Our Programs

Welcoming the Stranger - Refugee Resettlement

Welcoming the Stranger - Refugee Resettlement

Volunteer

Community Conversations Series

Community Conversations Series

The JCRC's Community Conversations Series offers programming to learn more about current topics impacting the community. Learn More

Advocacy & Communal Priorities

Advocacy & Communal Priorities

Our policy priorities are driven by our Jewish values and input from our Jewish community. Recent survey results

#StandUpToJewishHate

#StandUpToJewishHate

We are joining Stand Up To Jewish Hate, a new campaign to educate all Americans about the rise of antisemitism and mobilize people outside the Jewish community to help us address growing hate and intolerance. Learn More

Clean Speech Nebraska

Clean Speech Nebraska

Clean Speech Nebraska is a community-wide, month-long campaign to clean up our conversations, one word at a time. Learn More

Hold On To Your Music

Hold On To Your Music

One performance can change the world. Experience the inspirational story of Holocaust survivor Lisa Jura, brought to life by her daughter, Mona Golabek. LEARN MORE

Shine A Light

Shine A Light

Join us in this 8-day learning journey to build our community’s understanding of Jews and Judaism and increase awareness of the marked increase of Antisemitism (anti-Jewish hate) in the United States and around the world today. Learn More

Request A Speaker

The JCRC welcomes the opportunity to speak to schools, businesses, faith-based institutions, service clubs, and other organizations.

Learn More