Local Affairs
Advocating on behalf of the Jewish community
JCRC continuously advocates on issues of importance to the Jewish community to our elected officials on the local, state and federal levels. We have developed close relationships with the six United States senators and 10 members of Congress in the upper Midwest in order to supoprt and promote positive U.S.-Israel relations, and a strong domestic agenda that includes protecting the separation of church and minorities from hate crimes.
If you are interested in advocating to your elected officials - by having your voice heard on issues of importance to you - please visit our Legislative Action Center.
Members of the Jewish community met with Governor Tim Pawlenty recently for an official bill signing ceremony, in which Pawlenty signed into law legislation to protect consumers of kosher food from fraud and deceptive practices. Pictured are (l-r): Molly Altorfer, JCRC; Rep. Frank Hornstein; Sen. Dick Cohen; Gov. Pawlenty; Rabbi Joshua Borenstein, Torah Academy; David Orbuch, JCRC past president; Rabbi Morris Allen, Beth Jacob Congregation; Sean Murphy; Rabbi David Abramson, B’nai Emet; and Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman, Temple Israel.
Alan Silver and Scott Grayson, JCRC Board members, recently met with Rep. Martin Olav Sabo (DFL-MN) (third from left) to thank him for his support for pro-Israel legislation. The delegation also thanked Sabo for his support of hate crimes legislation. Kathleen Anderson, Sabo’s district director, is pictured at left; Ted Held, JCRC, is at right.
JCRC Board member Steve Baldinger and JCRC staff members Julie Swiler and Molly Altorfer led a session with U.S. Rep. John Kline (R-MN) to discuss his recent trip to the Middle East as a part of the Armed Services Committee. Kline and Rep. Mark Kennedy (R-MN) recently traveled to Israel on a JCRC-sponsored trip with Jewish community members, including Baldinger. The Minnesota delegation met with members of the Knesset and visited Jewish and Christian holy sites.
U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) (seated) met recently with key constituents in his district to discuss the Jewish community’s positions on domestic issues and support for Israel. Standing are (l-r): Joe Lifland; Ted Held, JCRC; Bill Aberman and Molly Altorfer, JCRC.
Sioux Falls, SD Mayor Dave Munson (middle) recently hosted JCRC Board member and South Dakota resident Mel Magidson and JCRC staffer Molly Altorfer to discuss efforts in Sioux Falls to improve diversity.