Jewish Community Relations Council honors Deputy Director Alan S. Ronkin at Annual Meeting

June 12, 2008

by Daniel E. Levenson

On Wednesday, June 11th the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston held its annual meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in Boston. The theme of the gathering was "The Power of One," which was supposed to connect with the main address by Rabbi Irving "Yitz" Greenberg, who was unfortunately unable to attend because his flight was delayed due to bad weather. The event went on, however, with many local dignitaries and leaders of the Boston Jewish community in attendance to celebrate the work of the JCRC and honor this year's recipient of the Warren B. Kohn Award,  JCRC Deputy Director Alan S. Ronkin.

Mr. Ronkin, who previously worked in Jewish communities in Seattle, Los Angeles and Cleveland before coming to Boston, gave a moving speech after accepting the award. In addition to thanking his colleagues and family, he drew a strong connection between his own Jewish experiences growing up and the theme of the event, explaining how he had come to recognize the unbreakable bonds between all Jews, regardless of the many different ways in which we choose to express our Judaism.

Attendees also received a copy of the JCRC 2008 Annual Report, which highlights the diverse array of programs with which the JCRC is involved, including GescherCity Boston, the Dnepropetrovsk Kehillah Project and various Israel advocacy initiatives, including a regular electronic newsletter entitled “Israel Update” that covers everything from the emergence of new Israel activist groups within the United States to Israeli pop singer Maya Buskila’s decision to enlist in the IDF at age 30.

The JCRC is also working to raise awareness about the threat that Iran poses to Israel and the rest of the world, highlighting Iranian human rights abuses, support of terrorism and pursuit of nuclear weapons. In terms of the situation within Israel, the JCRC has been actively working to aide the beleaguered residents of the town of Sderot, located in southern Israel, who have been the frequent target of rocket attacks by militants in Gaza. In terms of helping to strengthen the Jewish community in Boston the JCRC also has a number of other initiatives, including a Boston-Haifa Partnership Social justice and Civil Society Committee, which according to the JCRC website pursues  “…projects that enable people to address social justice issues of mutual concern while deepening and strengthening their interpersonal connections.”

The range of different groups present at the luncheon was indicative of the range of organizations, both within the Jewish community and without, that the JCRC works with on a regular basis. It was only fitting that Mr. Ronkin was honored among such a group for his dedication to the Jewish people.