| | | | | | JCPA Publishes Annual Report: COVID-19 Edition — JCPA produced its annual report highlighting its leadership, impact, and resilience during the pandemic. In March 2020, JCPA pivoted to virtual programming, set new priorities to help the most vulnerable, and provided emergency support for the Jewish community relations field on combating antisemitism, racism and the 2020 elections. We are proud of the role we played. JCPA’s mission is as important today as when we were created. To read the report, click here. | | | | | | | | JCPA and 20 National Jewish Groups Send Letter on U.S. Anti-Semitism Envoy — On behalf of 20 major Jewish organizations, including its national member agencies and the four streams of American Judaism, JCPA sent a letter urging the Senate Foreign Relations Committee members to swiftly fill the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism position by considering the current nominee. Click here to read the letter. | | JCPA Rallies for Voting Rights at Freedom to Vote Relay — JCPA, RAC, and NCJW joined together as proud members of the Declaration for American Democracy Coalition, our largest voting rights coalition, at the Freedom to Vote Relay. We believe that democracy is stronger when we work together. JCPA will continue advocating in coalition as part of the multi-faith, multiracial movement for voting rights. | |  | Barb Weinstein, Associate Director of the RAC; Tammy Gilden, Associate Director of Policy & Advocacy at JCPA; and Sheila Katz, CEO of NCJW. | | | | | The bedrock of democracy is the freedom to vote, however, systematic disenfranchisement continues to undermine the elections process. Now is the time for Congress to act. Urge your Senators to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act today! | | | | | | | | JCPA Applauds House Passage of Funding to Replenish Iron Dome Missile Interceptors; Urges Senate to Follow Suit — The bipartisan bill would provide $1 billion to Israel to replace the missile interceptors that protected Israeli civilians from missiles fired from Gaza by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad during the conflict in May. JCPA strongly supports this funding, which is in keeping with a 2016 agreement to provide additional assistance to replenish the Iron Dome after periods of fighting so that it can continue to protect civilians. Click here to read our press release. | | | | JCPA Joins Jewish Abortion Access Coalition — JCPA attended the inaugural meeting of a new coalition on abortion access convened by the National Council of Jewish Women. The coalition will create a framework for leaders from Jewish organizations focused on reproductive health, rights and justice — particularly abortion rights and access — to develop collaboration opportunities, join forces on critical advocacy campaigns, and work together to move the Jewish community and beyond towards taking action. To help protect reproductive care, click here to urge Congress to pass the Women's Health Protection Act. COEJL Addresses the Vatican on Climate Change — Rabbi Daniel Swartz, Executive Director of he Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), a project of the JCPA, participated in a high-level climate change meeting at the Vatican as part of a delegation of 40 global faith leaders and 10 climate scientists. Ahead of 26th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP26), the group issued a “Joint Appeal” urging an ambitious, justice-focused plan be put forward to rapidly move the world to a sustainable energy future. In addition, before the start of the negotiations, COEJL spearheaded a special “t’filat ha-derech” for President Biden, signed by a number of prominent rabbis, as well as a closing blessing endorsed by a diverse group of faith leaders across the U.S., for the conclusion. | | | | | | New York State Governor Kathy Hochul Publicly Addresses New York Jewish Community — Governor Kathy Hochul, the first female Governor of New York State, joined a meeting of the JCRC-NY Board of Directors to deliver her first public address to the New York Jewish community. Click here to watch the recording. | | | | | | Returning to the Iran Nuclear Talks: Understanding the Current Dilemma
Wednesday, November 17 at 3:00 PM ET | | Renewed talks on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, otherwise known as the “Iran Deal”, are expected to take place this month. What are the goals of the meeting? Is it in the interest of the United States? Is there still time to roll back Iran’s nuclear ambition? To register, click here. | | | | | | In Case You Missed It: Violent Crime: Why Are We Where We Are and What Can We Do? This Webinar focused on the uptick on violence crimes and how to address it. Featuring Dr. Faye Taxman, University Professor at George Mason University and Director of the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, in a conversation on finding alternatives to violent crime. To watch the recording, click here. | | | | | | Delegate Assembly Educational Session – On October 26, JCPA’s Delegates Assembly brought together more than 200 participants from 79 communities and 13 national Jewish organizations. The meeting focused on climate change, speaking about Israel, and how to respond to anti-"Critical Race Theory" efforts. The discussion focused on how banning CRT will impede the teaching of the history of race and gender, as well as subjects like antisemitism and the Holocaust, in American classrooms. Breakout groups discussed the role of the community relations field and strategies for ensuring that education is comprehensive and inclusive. For more information, contact Tammy Gilden at tgilden@thejcpa.org. | | | | | |  | 2021 Tikkun Olam Awardees Announced – JCPA will present the prestigious Tikkun Olam Award to Ilana Kaufman, Executive Director of the Jews of Color Initiative, and Michael Fromm, JCPA's Immediate Past Chair, in recognition of their deep commitment and extraordinary efforts to improving the lives of others. We invite you to attend the program and join with us to honor these amazing awardees with entertainment and celebration of our hope and determination as we move forward from the pandemic. To learn more and register, click here. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), a network of 125 local Jewish community relations councils and 16 national Jewish agencies, advocates for a just and pluralistic America, Israel's quest for peace and security, and global human rights. | | | | | | | | | | | |
