Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)
The JCRC Endorses the Cincinnati Public Schools/Preschool Expansion Levy
Guided by Jewish values of education and equality for all, the Jewish Community Relations Council, part of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, has engaged in dialogue over the past several months with our many partner organizations in both the Jewish and greater Cincinnati communities to examine the Cincinnati Public Schools/Preschool Expansion levy. While advocating for levies is not something the JCRC typically engages in, the promise of this levy warranted our involvement. Giving children access to education is one of the most important determinants of lifetime earnings, social mobility, and health outcomes for children and families in need. Additionally, the support from diverse organizations, communities, and faith groups makes this a truly collaborative initiative and one that aligns with core Jewish values.
After much deliberation and in cooperation with the Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, the board of the JCRC has decided to endorse the levy, encouraging members of our Jewish community to vote yes on Issue 44.
We are also proud to have partnered with the United Way, The Jewish Foundation, and the Jewish Federation last November to bring to Israel 20 civic leaders, many involved in early childhood and education initiatives. The group learned about universal preschool and social service delivery in Israel with the hopes that this mutual learning opportunity can help contribute to the important work taking place in the city of Cincinnati to combat poverty and improve access to high quality education for all.
“The world exists only because of the innocent breath of schoolchildren.” —Talmud, Shabbat
