Jewish Council on Urban Affairs ANNUAL REPORT 2015 WELCOME On the heels of our 50th anniversary celebration in 2014, we are cognizant of JCUA’s well-earned place in the arc of Jewish social justice in the city and country. Those that nurtured and lead the organization before us paved the way for a strong and vital JCUA today. Their profound and sustained efforts to address inequality with a Jewish voice and presence for more than five decades are a source of ongoing inspiration. As we reflect on the year behind us, we are putting in place the pieces necessary to engage more broadly and more deeply with the Jewish community across Chicago. There are so many of you who share JCUA’s values, and our growing membership is a testament to that energy. Who are JCUA’s members? They are people who want to see a city that treats people fairly, that does not tolerate disparity, that offers opportunity and hope to those who face poverty, and that levels the playing field so that everyone has a chance to succeed. They are people who want to have an impact on social change and see this work as integral to their Jewish identities. They are people who recognize that we are stronger together, and that we strengthen each other. In 2015, JCUA increased its staff capacity, refined its programmatic focus, and reinforced its financial stability. As a result, our organizational infrastructure is healthy and vibrant as we face the important work ahead. From our base building efforts on access to health care and worker justice, to Or Tzedek, Community Investment, and Bridge-Building initiatives, JCUA partners with directly-affected communities to address the root causes of injustice in our city. And together, along with a myriad of community partners, JCUA and over 1,100 members are making change in our city. Thank you for standing with us. Judy Levey, JCUA Executive Director Rabbi Capers Funnye, JCUA Board President What begins as inequality of some inevitably ends as inequality of all.” - Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel MISSION The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) is the Jewish voice for social justice in Chicago, combatting poverty, racism and anti-Semitism in partnership with Chicago’s diverse communities. JCUA and its members are powerful advocates, working in partnership with directly-impacted communities to decrease disparities in our city. With Membership as the key vehicle for engagement, JCUA brings a mobilized Jewish voice to four additional program PROGRAMS areas: Issue-based Campaigns, Community Investment, Or Tzedek Teen Programming, and Bridge-Building. JCUA’s renewed membership structure utilizes a community organizing model. We bring diverse members of the Jewish community together to have a meaningful impact on pressing MEMBERSHIP social justice issues in Chicago. In 2015 membership grew by more than 300%. HIGHLIGHTS r • Established “JCore,” JCUA’s core membership group, which meets monthly to guide JCUA’s issue-campaign work JCUA grew from 300 to over 1,000 members over the course of the year • Worked in partnership with lead community- based organizations on two primary campaigns. Campaigns were determined through a member- 50 JCore Members attended driven selection process 10 meetings • Formed active issue-committees to study policy issues, create strategy, and build relationships 200 JCUA members attended between one and five events OR TZEDEK HIGHLIGHTS • Year-round partnership with teens at Beth Emet in Evanston, combining Or Tzedek with Beth Emet’s high school program to create “Or Emet” 21 teens from 5 states • Year-round partnership with teens from Anshe participated in Or Tzedek Emet in Lakeview Summer Sessions • Two three-day retreats with junior classes from Rochelle Zell Jewish High School • Community organizing workshops with 10th 130 teens from area high schools and graders from three Northwest suburban synagogues participated in Or Tzedek synagogues - Congregation Beth Am, Congregation Year Round Progamming Beth Judea, and Temple Chai COMMUNITY ORGANIZING/ ISSUE CAMPAIGNS HIGHLIGHTS Over 50 JCUA members participated in 6 actions to protest Illinois’ budget cuts and • JCore opposed Governor impasse. Rauner’s proposed budget which imposed devastating cuts for Illinois’ most vulnerable residents. JCUA advocated Members had 6 in-district meetings for revenue-based solutions to with state legislators, urging them to preserve vital social services champion revenue solutions and social service funding - There are 8 Adult Level-I Trauma Care Centers HIGHLIGHTS serving Chicago. NONE are on the South Side • JCUA brought 200 community - There is a 23% greater chance of dying members and 15 area rabbis if a person is shot more than 5 miles from a together with community leaders Trauma Center to show public support for an adult Level-I trauma center on the South Side • In December of 2015, the campaign celebrated a major victory as the University of Over 200 JCUA supporters participated in 16 Chicago announced that it would actions calling on the University of Chicago to open a open an adult Level-I trauma trauma care center on its campus in Hyde Park center on its medical campus BRIDGE BUILDING Over 100 people participated in JCUA’s HIGHLIGHTS first ever “Hanukkah at the Mosque” hosted in partnership with the American Islamic College. • The Jewish Muslim Community Building Initiative continues to bring members of the Jewish and Muslim communities together to combat prejudice and build relationships JCUA hosted 35 people at its 1st “On the Table” conversation about how • JCUA participated in events and Jews and Muslims can meaningfully actions relating to the humane come together to break down stereotypes treatment of immigrants, gun and barriers. violence, and racism in partnership with area grassroots organizations COMMUNITY INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS CVP’s newest loan will rehab and • A zero-interest loan from the Community Ventures Program (CVP) helped to make the preserve the affordability of 85 units redevelopment of the Rosenwald apartments for low income seniors in Rogers Park. possible. The groundbreaking in early 2015 celebrated this project and the creation of 230 new units of the preservation of 230 units of affordable housing in Bronzeville • CVP loans helped to preserve 99 units of senior housing in Albany Park and 75 foreclosed homes in Lawndale, Austin, and surrounding areas • Since its inception, the Community Ventures In 2015, Gracie’s Cafe trained 9 people Program has loaned $4,658,000 to create or who have ALL found jobs after graduating. preserve 3,798 units of affordable homes across the city FINANCIALS JCUA Expenditures 2015 $842,843 Management Membership, & General, 13.6% ($115,247) 8.3% Development, ($71,386) 17.6% ($148,479) Issue -based Campaigns, 19.8% ($169,198) Or Tzedek, 20.6% ($169,757) Community Investment, 11.7% ($98,476) Bridge Building, 8.3% ($70,300) Year Ended December 31, 2015 Audited Revenue and Support Assets Contributions from Individuals & Board $472,897 Cash & Cash Equivalents $315,702 Foundation & Corporations $175,500 Note receivable $117,000 Special Events (Net) $166,766 Pledge Receivables $93,189 Program Income $34,782 Prepaid Expenses $6,869 In-Kind 10,377 Endowment $208,218 Investments (Loss) $(2,935) Equipment $17,572 Total $857,387 Total assets $758,550 Liabilities & Equity Expenses Accounts Payable $8,835 Programs $622,978 Bank Loan $171,513 Management & Administrative $71,386 Loan Payable-CVP $206,500 Development & Fundraising $148,479 Equity $371,702 Total $842,843 Total Liabilities & Equity $758,550 JCUA SUPPORTERS We are grateful to each and every donor who supported JCUA in 2015. COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS SOCIAL JUSTICE LEADERS Michael Alter and Ellen Sachs Anonymous Sheldon Baskin and Judy Wise Kay Berkson and Sidney Hollander Edward Chez and Camille DeFrank Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Landau Family Foundation Irving Harris Foundation Elick and Charlotte Lindon Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Elliot and Frances Lehman Foundation Robert B. Lifton and Carol Rosofsky Polk Bros. Foundation Walter S. Mander Foundation Albert & Anne Mansfield Foundation Rothman Family Foundation Jon and Lois Mills Peggy and Paul Slater Linda and Judson Miner Morris & Fannie Skilken Family Foundation Sue and Bob Wieseneck Wieboldt Foundation BRIDGE BUILDERS Anonymous Elaine Fishman Roberta and Herbert Nechin Richard and Andrea Amend Abel and Judy Friedman Sylvia Neil and Daniel Fischel Peter and Lucy Ascoli Seymour and Susie Frolichstein David Pateros Ronna Bach Dr. Melvin and Patricia S. Gerbie Michael and Sandra Perlow Beth Shalom B’Nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Allen and Evi Goldberg Douglas and Anne Petersen Congregation David and Lizzie Graham Richard and Judith Rhodes Richard and Gene Bindler Peter and Alice Hanig Lou and Lya Rosenblum Sonia Bloch Jay and Judy Heyman Mike Rosenthal and Annice Moses David Block Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered Judith and Robert Rothschild Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Robert Kaplan and Dara Altschuler Lowell Sachnoff and Fay Clayton Marcia Bogolub and Phil Kaplan Stephen and Gerry Keen Esther Saks Brandenburg Industrial Service Company Kellogg Foundation Schnitzer Family Foundation Zac and Linda Braun Peter Kupferberg Nikki and Frederic Stein Ralph and Rona Brown Ariela Lazar Robert Stillman and Janet Surkin Lester Crown Howard Learner and Lauren Rosenthal Annette Turow Denise and Scott Davis Paul Lehman and Ronna Stamm Scott Turow and Adriana Glazier Martha Delgado David Levinson and Kathy Kirn Eli and Harley Ungar Exelon Corporation Benetta Mansfield and Kalman Resnick Richard and Karee Wallach Steven Bialer and Sharon Feigon Beatrice Cummings Mayer The Weitzman Foundation Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation David and Janet Midgley Jeff and Deb Zaluda First Eagle Bank Rabbi Rachel Mikva and Mark Rosenberg ADVOCATES Michael and Helen Arkes Dr. Roberta Glick Dr. Howard and Pam Lipton Stuart and Doris Bernstein Bruce and Myla Goldstick Rabbi Robert and Ruth Marx Nancy Bramble Leo and Linda Gordon James Nix Todd and Debbie Budnik Paula Gorlitz and Steven Zuckerman Robert and Ellen Rosen Maree Bullock Mary and Richard Gray Arlene Rubin David and Acasia Feinberg Charley and Jill Gross Bettylu and Paul Saltzman Dr.