MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, MN – The Minneapolis Jewish Federation, St. Paul Jewish Federation, and Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) today announced a joint initiative to combat antisemitism and strengthen civic engagement across Minnesota.

The Twin Cities Federations have been awarded a two-year, $289,124 grant through Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) Frontline initiative, a $35 million effort to expand the Jewish community’s capacity to combat antisemitism in the wake of October 7.

The grant will fund a new Director of Labor and Civic Partnerships who will work in tandem with JCRC’s existing education and advocacy teams to build relationships and coalitions with labor unions, civic and advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, and educators.

Expanding Alliances and Civic Outreach
The Frontline grant represents a significant expansion of the investment Minnesota’s Jewish Federations and JCRC are already making in antisemitism response and advocacy, including robust programming in K-12 education, college campus engagement, and government relations. The joint leadership team identified a critical gap in ongoing organizing within labor and progressive spaces. The new professional will directly address this need by:

• Engaging Organized Labor: Building long-term relationships with leaders, staff, and members across public-sector labor unions, including teachers’ unions, higher education unions, healthcare worker organizations, and state employee unions.

• Building Civic Coalitions: Partnering with progressive advocacy groups, faith-based networks, and grassroots organizers to counter antisemitism and antizionism through shared values and open dialogue.

• Expanding Educational Reach: Collaborating with the JCRC’s education team to tailor workshops and trainings on Judaism, Jewish identity and antisemitism, the Holocaust, and Israel, as well as providing advocacy resources for educators and civic leaders statewide.

Leadership Statements
“In the aftermath of October 7, addressing antisemitism requires proactive relationship-building and a presence at every civic table,” said James Cohen, CEO of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. “This grant enables us to bridge existing gaps by placing a dedicated organizer in the community to foster mutual understanding and stand up for Jewish inclusion alongside our allies.”

“Minnesota has a strong, influential labor movement that plays an integral role in shaping public discourse and civic life,” said David Kaplan, CEO of the St. Paul Jewish Federation. “By partnering across the Twin Cities and with the JCRC, we are ensuring our community has a dedicated voice focused on education, collaboration, and combating anti-Jewish bias wherever it appears.”

“JCRC has long understood that combating antisemitism requires both strong advocacy and strong relationships,” said JCRC Executive Director Steve Hunegs. “We are grateful to JFNA for this investment and to the Minnesota Federations for their partnership. We look forward to working together to develop deeper connections with organizations and leaders across Minnesota.”

About the Frontline Initiative
Launched by Jewish Federations of North America, Frontline is placing 100 new professional roles across North American Federations to elevate local civic engagement and antisemitism strategy.

The Minneapolis and St. Paul Jewish Federations have committed to sustaining this new organizing position beyond the initial two-year grant period, making this a long-term strategy to strengthen Jewish representation, relationships, and advocacy across Minnesota.