About JCRC
Our Values
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.
JCRC Professionals
Jacob Markey
Executive Director
Jacob comes to Indianapolis from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, where he was most recently the Jewish Community Relations Council Assistant Director. Before Miami, Jacob worked as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the Union for Reform Judaism and as Coordinator for Israel Engagement for Hillel of Brandeis. Over the past decade-plus, he has led over ten trips to Israel. Jacob is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He received a Dual Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership and a Master of Public Policy from Brandeis University. You can reach Jacob at jmarkey@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, a Washington D.C.-based genocide prevention organization. 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 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.
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.
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