The Michael and Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations at the Jewish Community Relations Council, was inaugurated in May of 2010. The Newmark Institute was established in recognition of the lifelong work and contributions of Michael and Barbara in the area of human relations and in supporting a diverse and pluralistic community. The Institute builds upon and amplifies the ongoing work of the JCRC in the area of human relations.
Mission Statement
The Michael and Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations at the Jewish Community Relations Council is committed to the concept of a pluralistic society where diverse religious, racial, and ethnic groups live and work together and their differences enhance the community. It is in that setting that Jews in America have thrived. We are dedicated to advancing pluralism by organizing, supporting and promoting programs and activities that foster good human relations between people of diverse backgrounds.
The Institute celebrates, educates, cooperates, and advocates on behalf of better human relations. It centers its programs and acts to:
- Celebrate occasions that promote diversity.
- Educate about the differences of people of diverse backgrounds through dialogue and other means.
- Cooperate and network in common cause with others on issues that support one another, as well as on issues for the common good.
- Advocate positions and support programs that promote civil and human rights and the inalienable dignity of the human person, and that combat, bigotry, prejudice, discrimination, and abuses based on differences in religion, race, ethnic background, or sexual preference.
Programs of the Institute Include:
- Student to Student St. Louis: A program that brings Jewish Student Leaders into over 40 schools in the region to speak with over 5000 students in public and privates schools to share what it means to be Jewish today.
- Rekindle St. Louis: Our Black/Jewish Fellowship that brings Black and Jewish leaders together for six sessions over three months examining a meaningful and thoughtfully crafted curriculum about the history and common bonds of each community.
- Interfaith Breakfast Dialogue Group: A monthly meeting of interfaith clergy and leaders to discuss important issues of the day and learn more deeply about each other's faith tradtions.
- Aurielia Kondrad Interfaith Community Seder: An impactul annual gathering of faith communities throughout St. Louis to explore the Passover themes of Liberation, Slavery, and Freedom in a way that resonates with all of our traditons. Out cherrished Seder convenes over 200 participants yearly.
- Shalom Amigos: A group of Latino and Jewish participants who gather regularly for social events and speakrs to explore their connectivity and common interests.
To find out how to get involved with the Newmark Institute at JCRC, please contact us at jcrcstl@jcrcstl.org.
