About


The focus of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is to promote and advance the interests of the Jewish people, to preserve and maintain the dignity and integrity of the Jewish people, and to defend and protect civil, political, and religious rights wherever such rights are in jeopardy.

Resources for You


Calendar of Jewish Holidays

Report a Local Antisemitic Incident

Contact JCRC Director Lisa Epstein at epsteinL @ jfsatx.org 

Learn more at https://www.adl.org/report-incident

Pillars For Our Changing World


  • Share the Light of Shabbat

  • 2022 Symposium on Antisemitism

  • 2023 Symposium on Safety, Security, and Antisemitism

​Fighting Against Antisemitism

The JCRC is committed to fighting antisemitism through education, collaboration, and advocacy.

Our Programs 

Symposium on Safety, Security, and Antisemitism - This event brings the community together to hear from different speakers on a variety of topics, from strategic ways to address antiseims online, to how to talk to children about hate and antisemitism.

#ShineALight - This national campaign encourages communities to engage with and educate others about antisemitism. The JCRC provides funding for Jewish community members to host their non-Jewish neighbors and friends for a Shabbat dinner (typically closer to Hanukkah)

  • 2023 Jewish Communities Day at the State

  • 2023 Jewish Communities Day at the State

Advocating For Our Community 

The JCRC advocates and acts on issues at the local, state, and national levles to advance Jewish concerns in the public arena.

Our Programs:

Jewish Communities Day at the State - This important event sees Jewish communities across Texas come together in Austin at the Texas Capitol, to educate legislators about the policy priorities that are important to the Texas Jewish community.

  • 2022 MLK Day March

  • 2022 Catholics & Jews Celebrate Hanukkah

  • 2023 Ramadan Iftar Interfaith Dinner

Building Community Relationships 

The JCRC works to build bridges across the community to promote a greater understanding of one another. 

Our Programs:

Annual Catholics and Jews Celebrate Hanukkah - This event, which just passed its 20th year (in 2021), brings together the Roman Catholic and Jewish communities for lunch, hanukkiah lighting, and various speakers.

MLK Community March - The JCRC organizes a group to march in the largest MLK march in the United States every January.

Ramadan Iftar Dinner - During Ramadan, members of the Jewish community join the Turkish Raindrop Foundation to enjoy an iftar dinner, learn from one another, and hear from a keynote speaker.

  • Lisa Epstein at the Love Should Not Hurt press conference

  • 2022 Bexar County Judge Candidate Forum

Promoting Equal Justice & Opportunity For All 

The JCRC stands up to hate in all forms and diligentally works to promote equal rights to all.

Our Programs:

Voting Resources - During elections, the JCRC provides information on how and where to vote in person, and ensures local seniors have the necessary resources for mailing in their ballots. 

Love Should Not Hurt - The JCRC joined the "Love Should Not Hurt" citywide initiative, and led a four part series for faith leaders on domestic violence prevention.

Statements Made Addressing Equal Justice & Opportunities for All

  • JFSA President & CEO at Partnership Region

  • 2022 Israel Leadership Fellows

  • Gil Hoffman spoke about Israeli politics

Connecting with Israel

The JCRC connects the community to Israel through education and advocacy.

Our Programs

Israel Leadership Fellowship -This program is designed to equip high school juniors and seniors with helpful tools to have difficult conversations about Israel while at college.

Partnership with the Western Galilee - The Partnership2Gether program provides cities across the U.S. and around the world with a partner city or region in Israel. The Jewish community of San Antonio is part of the Western Galilee Consortium, and often holds virtual programs.

Various Speakers - In the past, the JCRC and JFSA have welcomed speakers such as Gil Hoffman, Livia Link Raviv, and Sigal Kanotopsky to different events. 

Interested in learning more about the JCRC? 

Sign up for our email interest list today and receive notifications on upcoming programs and opportunities. 

JCRC Leadership 


Barbara Powell, Council Chair

Lisa Epstein, PhD, Director

JCRC Membership Organizations

B'nai B'rith

Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning

Congregation Agudas Achim

Congregation Beth Am

Congregation Rodfei Sholom

Congregation Shalom

Hadassah

Hebrew Free Loan Association - San Antonio

Hillel San Antonio

Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio

Israeli Chabad

Jewish Family Service

Jewish War Veterans

National Council of Jewish Women

San Antonio Jewish Senior Services

Temple Beth-El

  • Questions about the Jewish Community Relations Council?

    Contact JCRC Director, Lisa Epstein at epsteinL @ jfsatx.org

Ways to Give

Help support your community by giving to our Annual Campaign.

Community Calendar

See what events are coming up and mark your own calendar.

Jewish Journal

Your source for all the latest news happening in Jewish San Antonio.

Keep in Touch!

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