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Human Relations Advisory Committee
HRAC brings together a cross-section of local religious leaders, civic leaders and township officials to build relationships that foster a mutual understanding and appreciation of our differences and similarities. Embracing all voices, HRAC creates and encourages inter-cultural and interfaith programs and practices to cultivate a community-wide environment of respect for diversity.
The Committee stands up against racism, bigotry and intolerance and works to prevent all forms of discrimination. Through these efforts, HRAC seeks to engage others to ensure Cherry Hill remains a welcoming and vibrant community where all people benefit from our diverse cultural tapestry.
Stay up-to-date on the latest HRAC happenings by following its Facebook page, facebook.com/CherryHillHRC
Members
Mayor Susan Shin Angulo Cherry Hill Township
Council President David Fleisher Cherry Hill Township Council
Councilwoman Sangeeta Doshi Cherry Hill Township Council
Councilwoman Michele Golkow Cherry Hill Township Council
Sergeant Sheldon Bryant Cherry Hill Township Police
Sabrina Spector Jewish Community Relations Council
Tina Truitt Cherry Hill African American Civic Association
Emma Waring Cherry Hill African American Civic Association
Jessica Rodriguez Cherry Hill Latino Civic Association
Dr. Joe Meloche Cherry Hill Superintendent of School
Dr. Toni Damon Principal, Cherry Hill High School West
Pastor Brian Lee New Hope Community Church
Pastor James Lee New Hope Community Church
Rabbi Jerome David Temple Emanuel
Marla Meyers Jewish Family & Children Services
Rabbi Steven Lindemann Temple Beth Sholom
Pastor Ted Winsley The Family Church
Mona Lari Pakistani American Association of South Jersey
Michelle Yeager Cherry Hill Public Library
Nina Gao South Jersey Asian American Alliance
Farhat Biviji South Jersey Catholic-Jewish-Muslim Dialogue
Indranil Sardar Indian Cultural Center of South Jersey
Thanksgiving Unity Program
The Cherry Hill Human Relations Advisory Committee proudly held its Thanksgiving Unity Program on Nov. 18 at Temple Beth Sholom, bringing together faith leaders and performers from across Cherry Hill's diverse community to celebrate unity, gratitude and our hope for the future, ahead of the Giving Season.
The evening featured performances by both Cherry Hill High School East and West's choirs, including a touching closing performance where both choirs sang a piece together as one. The Korean School of Southern New Jersey also performed a stunning K-Drum Dance, and TBS Cantor Jen Cohen and Shir Halev singers performed a special prayer prelude, along with a gratitude reading led by TBS Rabbi and HRAC member Steven Lindemann. The Family Church Worship Team performed an inspirational piece in "God of the City" as well.
Township officials and speakers from across the community provided remarks, prayers, readings and introductions, including Mayor Susan Shin Angulo, Council President David Fleisher, Councilwoman Sangeeta Doshi and Councilwoman Michele Golkow, along with TBS President Marty Chazin, TBS Rabbis Michah Peltz and Bryan Wexler, New Hope Community Church Pastor Dr. James Lee, Imam Yusuf Memon of the Muslin American Community Association Interfaith Program, Pujari Ashok Dave of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Father John Picnic of Chris Our Light Catholic Church, Family Church Pastor and HRAC member Ted Winsley, Janet Giordano of the Cherry Hill Food Pantry, and Meredith Seligman of the JFCS Betsy and Peter Fischer Food Pantries.
Thank you to all who took the stage, joined in the audience or watched from home!
Juneteenth Parade and Festival
Members of the Human Relations Advisory Committee were proud to march in the first-ever Cherry Hill African American Civic Association Juneteenth Parade and Festival this past June.
Juneteenth refers to June 19, 1865, the day enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation two years prior. While it is the oldest national holiday that celebrates the end of slavery, Juneteenth has only recently become more well-known across the country, and is now being celebrated by an increasing number of communities nationwide.
The parade featured a variety of participants, including the NJ Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, the South Jersey Street Legend Car Club, African Stilt Walkers, local Scouts, churches, and other organizations and performers. Following the parade, the festival was held at Croft Farm with vendors, performers, food trucks, music, and more.