Rabbi Bob Kaplan
Founder of Jewish Community Relations Council of New York’s Center for Shared Society

A) What qualities make the nominee deserving of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award?

Rabbi Bob Kaplan has dedicated his life to bridge-building and fostering understanding across communities, and New York City is a better place for it. As the founder of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York’s Center for Shared Society, his mission is to honor the dignity of all people and harness diversity as a strength. Over the past 31 years, Bob has helped develop various programs at JCRC-NY that emphasize leadership, cultural humility, conflict prevention, coalition-building, and community-building. These initiatives bring together diverse leaders from New York City’s government, business, faith, and nonprofit sectors, many of whom experience for the first time the opportunity to collaborate across different backgrounds.

A trusted advisor and respected colleague to faith and community leaders throughout the city, Bob is often called upon to defuse tense, polarizing situations and represent the Jewish community in standing up for others. His work includes leading professional development workshops, advising key elected officials, developing joint programs with nonprofits representing diverse communities, and addressing pressing issues such as healthcare disparities and gun violence that affect all New Yorkers.

Bob also serves as an organizational consultant, working with Jewish and non-Jewish community organizations on intergroup relations and capacity building. His expertise has been sought by the Foreign Ministries of the United Kingdom, Israel, and Jamaica, as well as the U.S. Department of State, to consult on inter-ethnic community building and conflict resolution. In addition to his consulting work, Bob is a Commissioner for the NYC Commission on Human Rights and serves on several boards, including the Family Health Centers at NYU-Langone, the Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College, the Center for Bronx Non-Profits at Hostos Community College, and the 67th Precinct Clergy Council. He has also previously served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity-NY and Health Plus.

B) In what ways has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to their work in bridging divides?

More than twenty years ago, Rabbi Bob Kaplan founded YouthBridge-NY, a pioneering youth empowerment fellowship. Unique in its approach, the program integrates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as the foundation for training and experiential learning for high school students. Fellows come from diverse backgrounds, representing various communities and religions. Together, they engage in respectful conversations, develop leadership skills, and find common ground to improve their communities. Since its inception, nearly 1,000 students have graduated as alumni and ambassadors. The program has expanded with two offshoots: YouthBridge-Brooklyn, launched in 2023, and YouthBridge-Munich, an international fellowship based on the NYC model that has been active since 2017. The German group recently visited New York on September 11th, where Rabbi Kaplan spoke to them about the significance of that day for the city.

Bob has also spearheaded the creation of more than 25 coalitions to bring together disparate groups to address critical issues. Two examples include:

  • Northern Queens Health Coalition: Founded by Bob in 1994, this coalition successfully transitioned to local leadership and fought for quality healthcare. Among its achievements, the coalition secured translators in hospital emergency rooms to assist non-English-speaking patients.

  • Brooklyn Black Pastor-Rabbi Dialogue Group: This group, established earlier this year, brings together black pastors and rabbis from neighboring Brooklyn communities. In the spring, the group visited Charleston, South Carolina, to explore key sites in Black and Jewish history. They met with the Chief Pastor of Mother Emanuel Church, the oldest Black church in the Southern U.S., and the site of a racially motivated shooting in June 2015. Following the trip, a local rabbi hosted a meeting at her synagogue where the group discussed community needs. Recently, they agreed to collaborate on future community projects.

    Bob’s leadership has also led to the development of five fellowships at JCRC-NY. In addition to YouthBridge-NY, two noteworthy examples include:

  • We Are All Brooklyn Fellowship Against Hate: Now in its third year, this program brings together rising leaders to combat antisemitism and hate. Over six months, participants engage in workshops, hear from community organizers, and visit educational sites in New York and Washington, D.C. This initiative is part of a broader city-wide effort, led by the Mayor’s Office, to tackle hate and polarization. JCRC-NY is one of seven nonprofits chosen to lead this effort.

  • Bridges-NY Fellowship: Conceived by Bob, this fellowship graduated its first class in December, with a new cohort starting in January. Aimed at aspiring elected officials and community leaders, the program equips participants with communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills essential for running campaigns, managing teams, and building coalitions. Many graduates of the inaugural cohort have gone on to work in state and city government, lead nonprofits, and run for local office.


C) How has the nominee's work impacted the Jewish community and beyond?

Bob Kaplan has long been a champion of bridge-building as a way to counter extremism and divisiveness in New York. With a career spanning 50 years, he has become one of the foremost leaders in intergroup relations and a highly respected voice for the Jewish community. As an expert in coalition-building, Bob has advised UJA-Federation NY, various foundations, and the NYC Mayor’s Office on strategies to unite diverse communities. His efforts have trained thousands of professionals, advanced best practices in the field, and helped direct millions of dollars to Jewish nonprofits addressing antisemitism and hate.

Bob’s close relationships with many elected officials at the city, state, and national levels have made him a trusted advisor. U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, a leading pro-Israel advocate in Congress, is among those who value Bob’s counsel. Torres has traveled to Israel with Bob and JCRC-NY on multiple occasions, most recently during a solidarity mission in the spring.