Intergroup Relations

The desire to enhance intergroup relations in Chicago's diverse setting is a major priority for the JCRC, which is particularly active in interreligious, interracial, and interethnic affairs. The JCRC builds relationships with other specific groups in the city (e.g. African-Americans, Latinos, Catholics, etc.) and within various umbrella bodies.

JCRC and members of the Chicago Rabbinical Council and Chicago Board of Rabbis are engaged in both formal and informal dialogues with leaders in other faith-based communities. The JCRC is a board member of the Alliance of Latinos and Jews and a member of Leaders United (joint project between the Anti-Defamation League and the Chicago Urban League).

Catholic-Jewish Scholars Dialogue of Chicago

The Catholic-Jewish Scholars Dialogue of Chicago was established in the early 1980s and is co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and Chicago Board of Rabbis. Members of the group include parish priests, congregational rabbis, organizational administrators, and academics.

The Dialogue meets every two months. Sessions generally revolve around discussions introduced by reports which provide insight into each of the faith communities perspectives on religion-related matters (e.g. the nature of prayer; interpretations of biblical texts; attitudes towards cloning; positions on abortion; Messianism; etc.). Matters involving Israel are a frequent topic of discussion for the Dialogue.

An important highlight of the Catholic-Jewish Scholars Dialogue came in 1995, when the group traveled to Israel together.  Joseph Cardinal Bernadin delivered a historic speech at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, entitled,”Anti-Semitism: The Historical Legacy and the Continuing Challenge for Christians.”  The Cardinal sought to extend the impact of this trip and helped to create an annual lectureship on Catholic-Jewish relations in Chicago.  This series was named the Joseph Cardinal Bernadine Jerusalem Lecture series, which alternates between Jewish and Catholic speakers each year. 

Martin Luther King Day Program

JCRC holds an annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program for staff members of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and its affiliated agencies.  The annual program aims to celebrate the life of the late civil rights leader and the special bond between Dr. King and the Jewish community.  JCRC arranges for a community leader to speak on Dr. King’s impact on American society.  Past speakers have included members of Congress, ecumenical leaders and prominent civic leaders. 

Labor Seder

JCRC, the Jewish Labor Committee and the Chicago Federation of Labor come together for an annual Labor Passover Seder.  The seder celebrates the struggle for freedom and dignity reflected in the Passover story and shared by the Jewish community and organized labor.  JCRC and labor leaders are led by a Chicago-area rabbi and use a specially-prepared Haggadah by the Jewish Labor Committee that tells the story of Passover.