About JCRC
About JCRC
Since 1942, the JCRC has been the public affairs and community relations arm of the organized Jewish community of Indianapolis. We work to build consensus on public affairs issues and translate these positions into community action and partnerships with civic leaders, public officials, and interfaith and intergroup communities.
Our mission is to safeguard the rights of Jews in the U.S., Israel, and around the world by combating antisemitism through relationship-building and education. JCRC works to protect and promote a just American society, one that is democratic and pluralistic.
We cultivate relationships & educate.
We build strong coalitions & advocate.
We initiate change.
Our Values
JCRC Professionals
David Sklar
Executive Director
David, a lifelong resident of Greater Indianapolis, attended Pike High School and earned a B.S. in Political Science from Ball State University and a Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University’s O’Neill School. He brings 15 years of experience with the JCRC, where he served as Director of Government Affairs and later as Assistant Director. After a brief tenure at the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter, he felt called to return to JCRC amid rising antisemitism. David is focused on building partnerships to help the JCRC combat antisemitism and promote a just, democratic, and pluralistic society. You can reach David at dsklar@indyjcrc.org or (317) 926-2935.
Yaniv Shmukler
Program Associate
Yaniv Shmukler is an Israeli-American who has spent most of his life in the Indianapolis Jewish community. Yaniv’s work focuses on Jewish high school and young adult engagement, Israel and antisemitism education, and building bridges with the broader community. Yaniv previously worked as an immigration attorney and Israel Program Director at Indiana Hillel. He has led trips to Israel for young adults and has spearheaded educational initiatives for college students and young adults, such as Israel Around the Table. Yaniv holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from IUPUI and a J.D. from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. You can reach Yaniv at yshmukler@indyjcrc.org or (317) 926-2935.
Amber Maze
Senior Associate
Amber Maze is an expert in the field of genocide education and mass atrocity prevention. Her work focuses on Holocaust and genocide education, human rights advocacy, and the preservation of memory. Amber’s career has led her to work for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Enough Project. Amber holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Ball State University and a Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton University of New Jersey. Amber also serves as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Crane Center for Mass Atrocity Prevention. You can reach Amber at amaze@indyjcrc.org.
Risé Friedman
Student to Student Coordinator
Risé Friedman is a longstanding member of Indianapolis’ Jewish community, recently serving as the President of the Sisterhood at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. A lawyer by trade, she previously was Corporate Counsel with The Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation heading the Peripheral Development section of the Legal Real Estate Department, and Senior Counsel and Divisional Counsel with Simon Property Group, focusing on land acquisition and new development projects. She resides in Indianapolis with her husband, Todd Wentico, and their dogs Hank and Lydia, who are their third set of rescued dogs. You can reach Risé at rfriedman@indyjcrc.org.
JCRC Executive Leadership
Eli Isaacs
President
David Berman
Treasurer
Miriam Dant
Past President
Aaron Aft
Vice President
Drew Miroff
Secretary
Joe Ofengender
Committee Chair
Deb Luffer Atlas
Vice President
Jamie Ratner Rich
Immediate Past President
David Rosenthal
Committee Chair
JCRC Board Members
Executive Committee
Eli Isaacs, President
Deb Luffer-Atlas, Vice President
Aaron Aft, Vice President
David Berman, Treasurer
Drew Miroff, Secretary
Jamie Ratner Rich, Immediate Past President
Miriam Dant, Past President
Joe Ofengender
David Rosenthal
Members of the Board
Steve Auslander
Rachel Birenbaum
Esther Epstein
Marc Katz
Emma Law Oppman
Ira Mallory
Jack Moss
Erin Mundy
Robyn Pauker Honig
Susan Rockafellow
Michael Rose
Sara Rose
Jon Shapiro
Amanda Siegel
Mark Sigman
David Sklar
Jose Suriel
Carol Steinfeld
Matthew Tobe
Reva Weiss
Ethan White
Member Organizations
Founding Member of:
The Jewish Council on Public Affairs
Constituent Agency of:
The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis
Affiliated Organizations:
Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation
Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis