May 7, 2020

During the COVID-19 crisis, JCPA has been working around the clock to ensure the safety and health of the Jewish community by supporting our Jewish community relations councils (JCRCs) and national Jewish agencies on the frontlines of engagement with legislators and partners, increasing our educational webinar offerings, and intensifying our advocacy with diverse partners across our issue-based coalitions. 

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Elections and Voting Rights

Take Action: Urge Congress to Provide Critical Elections Funding in Response to COVID-19 — JCPA believes that voting is the foundation of our democracy, and we are increasing advocacy on elections and voting rights as a major priority of the community relations network. Our aim is to ensure safe, fair and accessible elections during and after the pandemic. It is imperative that Congress provide at least $4 billion in funding to states and counties to administer the 2020 elections during the COVID-19 crisis. Make your voice heard now as Congress negotiates the next coronavirus response package. Click here to take action.

JCRC of St. Louis Raises Awareness of Voting Access Issues Amid COVID-19 — The JCRC of St Louis launched an effort to raise awareness of the need for greater voting access during this public health crisis. Missouri is among 17 states that require voters to provide an excuse for voting by absentee ballot. The Governor has already stated that COVID-19 is not considered a valid excuse. However, in Missouri, religious belief is a valid excuse. The JCRC brought together rabbis to issue a letter stating that it is their religious belief to preserve life and thus vote absentee. The letter was featured in JTA, DailyKos and Huffington Post. 

JCPA and HIAS Send Letter to Congress Signed by Almost 200 Jewish Organizations on Protecting Asylum Seekers and Refugees During COVID-19 — JCPA and HIAS teamed up to organize a Jewish organizational sign-on letter urging legislators to ensure that our country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes resettled refugees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients, asylum seekers, and asylees. In addition, the letter also urges the Administration to restart the U.S. refugee resettlement program as soon as public health experts deem it safe and that it reverse recent policies that deny people access to our asylum system.

• Click here to read the full letter signed by 192 Jewish organizations.
• Watch JCPA’s webinar on Protecting Immigrants During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

JCPA Highlights the Impact of COVID-19 on Women — Women are on the frontlines of the #COVID-19 response as they make-up the majority of health care workers and others most affected. Many face specific challenges during this period such as domestic violence and access to reproductive healthcare. In response to these concerns, JCPA supported actions from the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and Jewish Women International (JWI) to amplify important actions during the pandemic response.

• Watch JCPA’s webinar on Women During the Pandemic with JWI CEO Meredith Jacobs and NCJW CEO Sheila Katz.
• Visit to JWI’s portal to email your senators and representative to urge them to support victims and survivors. 
• Email your legislators through NCJW and tell them to support abortion access for all.
• Join NCJW's petition demanding that congress protect women, children, and families in the next coronavirus response bill.

WEBINARS AND EDUCATIONAL SERIES

Webinar Series on Advocacy During the Pandemic — JCPA is producing a webinar series with high-level speakers on important issues that need attention during this pandemic period, such as criminal justice reform, immigration, voting rights, Israel, and human needs related to COVID-19. In Case You Missed It: To watch recordings of past webinars in this series, click here.

May 13 at 12:30 PM EDT — Democracy in Israel: An Analysis of the Current Political Situation

At the start of the pandemic, Israel was in the midst of elections. How Israel is handing the post-pandemic period? With a new unity government in place, what can we expect in the coming in year? Join us for a snapshot briefing on the current political situation in Israel. Featuring Michael Koplow, Israel Policy Forum and Tal Shalev, Walla! News. Cosponsored by JCPA, the Israel Action Network, JCRC of Greater Washington, and Israel Policy Forum. Click here to register.

May 14 at 3:00 PM EDT — Briefing Call on Jewish Community Advocacy During COVID-19

The webinar will focus on the Jewish community’s policy and advocacy response to the COVID-19 crisis related to increased food insecurity, evolving threats to the refugee and asylum systems, and the emergency in prisons and jails. Featuring Naomi Steinburg, HIAS, Tammy Gilden, JCPA, and Josh Protas, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Click here to register.

May 20 at 2:00 PM EDT — Israel’s Race for the Cure: A Conversation on Public Health Policy, Testing, and Vaccine

After bringing new cases of COVID-19 to near zero, Israel is reopening its economy. What did Israel do right (or wrong) in managing the spread of the disease? Israeli institutions are also said to be on the cutting edge of developing both vaccines and anti-virals. What breakthroughs might we see in the months ahead? Featuring Dr. Yoram Weiss, Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center and Dr. Janice Weinman Shorenstein, Hadassah. Click here to register.

JCPA Launches a JCPA/JCRC Strategic Partnership Series on COVID-19's Impacts on Minority Communities — Every Tuesday in May, JCPA Is bringing together the JCRC network with leaders of other communities to learn firsthand how the pandemic has impacted their them and the role the Jewish community should play post-pandemic. What are their current priorities during this time? How can the Jewish community nationally and locally connect with their networks? Presenters include Claudia Ruiz, UnidosUS; Yen Marshall, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs; Haipei Shue, United Chinese Americans (UCA); Wael Alzayat, Emgage; and Derrick Johnson, NAACP. The program is invite only. Please contact Haya Luftig at Hluftig@thejcpa.org if you are interested in participating.