April 3, 2023

Minneapolis, MN – Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), issued the following statement:

“Victor ‘Vic’ Rosenthal, z”l dedicated his life to making our world a better place for everyone. As a lifelong community organizer, most notably as executive director of Jewish Community Action (JCA) from 2000-2017, Vic worked tirelessly for racial, economic, and social justice.

“A passionate, inspiring, persistent, and nationally respected leader, Vic was at the forefront of efforts to protect immigrants, including the right to legally drive, voting rights, marriage equality, affordable housing, public transportation, and giving voice to senior citizens.

“For each of these initiatives, Vic was strongly guided by his Jewish values and innate decency.

“In addition to his leadership at JCA, Vic served our Jewish community through his volunteer service with Mount Zion Temple, Temple of Aaron, and the Jewish Community Center.

“Over the past few weeks, as word spread of Vic’s declining health, we’ve engaged in many conversations with friends and colleagues who knew Vic. The most common sentiments are both sadness at a life taken much too soon and agreement that Vic was a thoroughly kind person.

“We live in such a polarized world, and Vic was certainly a leader of deeply held beliefs. However, Vic’s ability to disagree without being disagreeable was so important for his ability to maintain strong relationships even with those who didn’t always see the world exactly as he did.

“We extend our condolences to Vic’s wife, Chris, who many of us worked closely with during her many years as our colleague at Jewish Family Service of St. Paul; his sons, Ben and Aaron; his daughters-in-law, Megan, and Florencia; his two grandchildren, Harper and Henry; his sister Wendy; brother-in-law, Tony; and niece, Carla.

“We also extend our deepest sympathies to Vic’s colleagues at JCA, both past and present, as they mourn and honor the loss of their beloved leader. May Vic’s memory be a blessing.

“As an advocate and activist who struggled mightily and lovingly for the dignity of all, Vic lived the words of Rabbi Ben Zoma, ‘Who is honored?  He who honors humanity.'”

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As the public affairs voice of the Jewish community, the JCRC fights antisemitism and prejudice, advocates for Israel, provides Holocaust education, promotes tolerance and social justice, and builds bridges across the Jewish and broader communities.