Program areas at BJC
Government relations program: the Council sought to address community priorities by securing more than $5 million in public funding for social services for associated agencies and programs and Jewish community institutions. This focused on areas such as social services for older adults, protection for domestic abuse victims, and tuition assistance at day schools. In the Maryland general assembly and in local government, the Council weighed in on more than 100 pieces of proposed legislation affecting members of the community and agencies of the associated. (continued on schedule o)at the federal level, the bjc, in concert with other national organizations, worked to secure funding and took positions on issues that impacted the greater Jewish community of Maryland such as increasing and helping to secure the department of homeland security's $13 million nonprofit security grant program. The Council coordinated an annual annapolis advocacy day in cooperation with partners in the Washington dc area, with more than 200 people in attendance from the Baltimore and Washington Jewish communities.
Community relations - promoted strong intergroup relations by hosting interfaith and interethnic dialogues and cultural programs. Worked with numerous organizations of different faiths and minority groups to build bridges and cooperate on issues of mutual interest.
Israel advocacy - coordinated and staffed the Baltimore israel coalition, a group of pro-israel organizations in the Baltimore region dedicated to cultural awareness and community support of the us-israel relationship.
Holocaust remembrance - the Council worked to ensure that the lessons of the holocaust are not forgotten by facilitating multiple public remembrances with large attendance, survivors speaking engagements at schools and community groups, and teacher training opportunities. Some of the programming was organized in conjunction with towson university. Altogether, the programming reached almost 10,000 people across the Baltimore area.