STATEMENTS & UPDATES

"During my time at the JCRC, I have been able to work on projects that have affected me on a personal level and that I feel passionately about. I’ve helped pass legislation to protect some of the most vulnerable and marginalized religious communities in the state of...

JCRC Executive Director Paul Rockower will be honored as a 'Local Hero' by ONECommunity for his work with the JCRC to help the LGBTQ community of Arizona fight against rising hate and extremism. In an article in the Jewish News, he stated: “As Jews, our experiences...

"It’s neither shocking nor surprising that Rep. Gosar would employ an anti-Semitic, racist staffer in his congressional office," said Alan Zeichick, board chairman for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix in a written statement. "Rep. Gosar...

"Arizona Bi-Partisan Budget Efforts Help Create Vital Security Grant for the State’s Most Vulnerable Faith Communities"   PHOENIX, AZ – On Friday, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed the State Budget into law which included a $5 million state-based nonprofit security...

JCRC Executive Director Paul Rockower was invited to give remarks on behalf of the Jewish Community of Greater Phoenix to the Maricopa County Branch NAACP for its annual Freedom Fund Dinner and Community Awards program, "Defining Truth in Our Democracy" These were...

JCRC Executive Director/AFN Board Member Paul Rockower and Arizona Faith Network Executive Committee Member Rev. Gerald Richard were guests on Arizona PBS' AZ Horizon program to discuss SB1713, the state-based nonprofit security grant program to help...

“Congressman Gosar continues to show us exactly who he is and what he stands for. The man has no shame, and remains a stain on Arizona’s political landscape.” -Paul Rockower, executive director for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix, Following...

The Arizona Nonprofit Security Grant Program (SB1713), sponsored by AZ State Senator David Gowan and supported by the Arizona Faith Network, passed the Arizona State Senate today in bipartisan fashion. We thank Senator Gowan for his leadership on this vital bill. The...

The JCRC initiative "Operation Snow Bird" to help provide winter coats for asylum-seekers heading on to colder climates via Jewish communities in more wintry spaces received some nice coverage in the Jewish News: "Operation Snowbird 2.0 collects hundreds of coats for...

The JCRC is pleased to welcome Zillah al-Kahiyah as our new Communications and Public Diplomacy Fellow! Zillah had been involved in the technical world, working in STEM. Prior she worked with, and wrote for the Colorado State House of Representatives during the 2019...

“Paul Rockower, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix, said the issue is particularly acute in Arizona, where extremism is more common. For instance, Republican state Rep. Mark Finchem, a secretary of state candidate, and...

The JCRC thanks the Maricopa County Branch NAACP for its condemnation of Kanye West’s repeated antisemitism. Their statement was profound and meaningful. It is gratifying that stalwart friends in the African American community stand with us against hate and...

The JCRC has been quoted recently in a few articles on antisemitism around the 2022 Fall elections.  See the Jewish News piece on antisemitism among certain Arizona candidates and officeholders, and the Jewish Insider piece on the Jewish community and the AZ...

Following Arizona Secretary of State candidate Mark Finchem's use of antisemitic tropes on twitter around Michael Bloomberg and George Soros, the JCRC put out the following tweet response: @RealMarkFinchem: your reliance on #antisemitic tropes to spearhead your...

JCRC Statement on Kari Lake, Mark Finchem and Wendy Rogers endorsement of antisemitic OK state senate candidate On Friday August 19, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix learned that AZ gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake endorsed an antisemitic,...

“When given the opportunity to reject anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial, Masters refused — denouncing 'the media' in starker terms than he denounces the neo-Nazi publication, The Daily Stormer,” JCRC Executive Director Paul Rockower offered comments in the Phoenix...

"As my JCRC fellowship comes to an end and this work within an American context changes, I hope to continue to be able to collaborate with people of all backgrounds and opinions to continue working towards the goal of unity and public good. I’ll still be here in the...

JCRC Executive Director Paul Rockower has a new op-ed in EJewish Philanthropy on the ongoing fight against Zyklon B in Arizona: "Seeing an exhibit chronicling the horrors of the gas chambers of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the models of the infamous gas chambers, I...

Arizona’s commitment to this hideous execution method should shock the conscience of all Americans. It is particularly appalling to me as the board chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Phoenix, and to my broader community. Earlier this...

“Really, the Jewish community is the canary in the coal mine when it comes to civil society,” Rockower said. “When we see spikes in antisemitism, it’s really a sign that civil society is in a more dangerous, more precarious place, and you see that through conspiracy...

The Jewish community of Greater Phoenix stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, including Ukraine’s Jewish community, against this cruel attack by Russia. Our global brothers and sisters are suffering greatly, and seeing the death of their loved ones,...

The JCRC was proud to spearhead Operation NoAZ to help provide winter coats to asylum seekers heading on to colder climates. We are grateful for the support of the Jewish communities of Flagstaff, and Sedona & the Verde Valley for their support!

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix (JCRC), its Executive Director, and a Member of its Board of Directors Sue the State of Arizona to Stop the Use of Hydrogen Cyanide for Executions (PHOENIX – Feb. 15, 2022) The Jewish Community Relations...

The JCRC Executive Director Paul Rockower received the Arizona Faith Network's Peacemaker in Action Award at the organization's annual meeting.  Read more about the peace award in the Jewish News article on the recognition.