Jewish Council for Public Affairs

Last updated

Jewish Council for Public Affairs
AbbreviationJCPA
Formation1944;80 years ago (1944)
Legal status 501(c)(3) organization
Headquarters New York City, New York, US
President and CEO
Amy Spitalnick
Chair
Michael Fromm
Revenue$2.6 million [1] (2018)
Expenses$2.5 million [1] (2018)
Website jewishpublicaffairs.org OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Formerly called
  • National Community Relations Advisory Council
  • National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is an American Jewish nonprofit organization that advocates for progressive and liberal policies. Founded in 1944 as the umbrella organization for local Jewish advocacy arms known as community relations councils, for almost 80 years it represented approximately 125 local Jewish federations and community relations councils and was the coordinating body for 15 national Jewish organizations.

Contents

In 2022, JCPA split from the Jewish Federations of North America and became independent.

History

The JCPA was founded as the National Community Relations Advisory Council in 1944 by the Council of Jewish Federations to represent local Jewish advocacy arms known as community relations councils. [2] In the 1960s, it was renamed the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC). The group adopted the JCPA name in 1997. Arnold Aronson was program director from 1945 to 1976. David L. Bernstein served as president and chief executive officer since January 2016. [3]

The National Community Relations Advisory Council opposed the Rosenberg Committee, believing them to be a Communist group. The council issued a statement that the Rosenberg Committee's accusation that the Rosenberg trial was motivated by antisemitism was causing public panic within the Jewish community. [4]

The council, along with the American Jewish Congress, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and other Jewish groups and community leaders asked Nelson Mandela to clarify his pro-Palestinian views during his 1990 visit to New York City. During a meeting in Geneva with Jewish-American communal leaders that included the JPCA, Mandela apologized for offending the Jewish-American establishment, expressed appreciation for South African Jews who opposed apartheid, praised certain Israeli leaders, and agreed that the State of Israel had a right to exist. [5] Following Mandela's death, Rabbi Steve Gutow, President of the JCPA praised him as "came to embody courage in the face of severe injustice." [6]

In 2021, the DC chapter of the Sunrise Movement called for the removal of the JCPA, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism from a voting rights coalition due to their Israeli ties and support for Zionism. Sunrise DC apologized after Jewish organizations condemned the chapter for antisemitism. [7]

As national Jewish advocacy organizations such as the Jewish Federations of North America and the American Jewish Committee focused more of their political work on supporting work, the JCPA's influence within the Jewish establishment waned. After JCPA signed an open letter in the New York Times in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, conservative donors within the federation system boiled over. [2]

Break with Jewish Federations

In December 2022, the JCPA announced that it would end its role speaking on behalf of 125 Jewish community relations councils, almost all part of local Jewish federations, and 16 national Jewish organizations. As a result, JCPA broke with the Jewish Federations of North America and would lose funding from the dues-paying local federations. [2]

JCPA hoped that changes would enable it to be part of progressive coalitions and strengthen Jewish support for progressive policies. [2] As part of the transition, activist Amy Spitalnick, who led a successful lawsuit against the organizers of the Unite the Right rally, was hired as CEO in May 2023. [8]

Activities

The JCPA works on shaping consensus on public issues, developing strategic responses, and working with the media, elected officials, coalition partners, and others through public relations, advocacy, and lobbying. The JCPA also helps the 125 Jewish community relations councils organize events and advocacy around the country, promoting interfaith and community partnerships.[ citation needed ]

International issues that the JCPA is concerned with include Israel–United States relations, global antisemitism, the United Nations, the well-being of Jews in endangered areas, genocide, and human rights. Domestic issues that the JCPA is concerned with include anti-Semitism, social justice, poverty, education, public health, the environment, immigration, individual rights, and religious liberties including the preservation of the separation of church and state.[ citation needed ]

It has been active in supporting rights of Israeli Arabs and has fought for equality in Israel. [9]

Policy

The JCPA supports a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, stating on their website that their organization supports "Israel as the Jewish homeland and works to deter efforts to undermine the Jewish people’s right to self-determination." The JCPA's Israel Action Center was created in 2010 to combat BDS movement activities in the United States, accusing the movement of "bias against Israel". [10] David Bohm, the board's chair, has said the JCPA has an unclear position on working with progressive anti-Zionist groups, saying that many anti-Zionist sentiments are antisemitic, but the organization might be willing to participate in coalitions with anti-Zionist groups. [11]

Initiatives

Shocked by the atrocities in Darfur, the JCPA helped found the Save Darfur Coalition in 2004. It continues to organize the Jewish community in support of continued US action to bring peace to Sudan, supporting the creation of South Sudan and working with the White House and Congress to ensure humanitarian assistance.[ citation needed ]

In September 2007, the JCPA launched an anti-poverty program "There shall be no needy among you." The effort seeks to raise awareness and action to combat hunger, homelessness and other vestiges of poverty in America. The JCPA has led multiple Food Stamp Challenges, organizing Members of Congress, clergy, and others to live for one week on the average food stamp allotment of $31.50. Starting in 2008, the JCPA and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger have sponsored an annual Hunger Seder Mobilization, tying the Passover message of freedom to the ongoing struggles with hunger in America. The mobilization begins each year with a National Hunger Seder in the US Capitol where Members of Congress and national faith and anti-hunger advocates read from a specially prepared haggadah. Hunger Seders have been held in over 30 states across the country.

Along with Catholic Charities USA and the National Council of Churches, the JCPA has been a cosponsor of the annual Fighting Poverty with Faith mobilization since 2008. Fighting Poverty with Faith mobilizes community's to hold events aimed at making ending poverty a national priority with a different theme each year. Past themes have included "Good Jobs, Green Jobs," poverty, hunger, and affordable housing.

The JCPA is also actively involved in environmentalism and climate change issues though its program the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), an affiliate of the National Religious Partnership on the Environment.

In partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America, the JCPA created the Israel Action Network in 2010 to help communities counter the delegitimization of Israel. The IAN was created to educate, organize and mobilize the organized North American Jewish community to develop strategic approaches to attacks on Israel and use partnerships to promote peace and security for two states for two peoples.

Other national campaigns of the JCPA have included the Vote On Guns campaign to end gun violence following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the 2013 "Immigration Nation" campaign in support of comprehensive immigration reform.

See also

Related Research Articles

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is the umbrella organization for the American Jewish community. Comprising 50 national Jewish organizations, it was founded in 1956 to develop a consensus voice among Jewish organizations, especially to the U.S. government.

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, represents the interests of the Australian Jewish community to government, politicians, media and other community groups and organisations through research, commentary and analysis. The organisation is directed by Colin Rubenstein, who was previously a political science lecturer at Monash University. AIJAC has office locations in Melbourne and Sydney. AIJAC is formally associated with the American Jewish Committee.

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) until 2003, founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the congregational arm of Reform Judaism in North America. The other two arms established by Rabbi Wise are the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. The current president of the URJ is Rabbi Rick Jacobs.

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is a civil rights group and Jewish advocacy group established on November 11, 1906. It is one of the oldest Jewish advocacy organizations and, according to the New York Times, is "widely regarded as the dean of American Jewish organizations".

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is an American Zionist, Jewish public affairs organization with local subsidiaries that carries out "action agendas on behalf of and in the name of the local Jewish communities." Councils may aim "to represent the consensus of the organized Jewish community" in the cities in which they operate, and then assist in consulting other local stakeholders on matters of importance to Jewish community values. In the United States, JCRCs are affiliated with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Jewish Congress</span> Nonprofit organization

The American Jewish Congress (AJCongress) is an association of American Jews organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy, using diplomacy, legislation, and the courts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism</span>

The Religious Action Center (RAC) is the political and legislative outreach arm of Reform Judaism in the United States. The Religious Action Center is operated under the auspices of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, a joint instrumentality of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Union for Reform Judaism. It was founded in 1961.

The Jewish Labor Committee (JLC) is an American secular Jewish labor organization founded in 1934 to oppose the rise of Nazism in Germany. Among its central purposes is promoting labor union interests in the organized Jewish communities, especially in the USA, and Jewish interests within U.S. labor unions. The organization is headquartered in New York City, where it was founded, with local/regional offices in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles, and volunteer-led affiliated groups in other U.S. communities. Today, it works to maintain and strengthen the historically strong relationship between the American Jewish community and the trade union movement, and to promote what they see as the shared social justice agenda of both communities. The JLC was also active in Canada from 1936 until the 1970s.

StandWithUs (SWU) is a nonprofit right-wing pro-Israel advocacy organization founded in Los Angeles in 2001 by Roz Rothstein, Jerry Rothstein, and Esther Renzer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ameinu</span> American progressive Jewish organization

Ameinu is a left-wing American Jewish Zionist organization. Established in 2004 as the successor to the Labor Zionist Alliance, it is the continuation of Labor Zionist activity in the United States that began with the founding of Poale Zion, which came together in the period 1906, or an “offshoot” of the Israeli Labor Party. In 2024, Ameinu merged with Americans for Peace Now to form the New Jewish Narrative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America</span> Veterans organization

Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is an American Jewish veterans' organization created in 1896 by American Civil War veterans to raise awareness of contributions made by Jewish service members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Jewish World Service</span> Nonprofit organization

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit international development and human rights organization that supports community-based organizations in 19 countries in the developing world and works to educate the American Jewish community about global justice. It is the first and only Jewish organization dedicated solely to ending poverty and promoting human rights in the developing world. Its headquarters are in New York City. AJWS has received a Four Star rating from Charity Navigator since 2002.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is a Zionist and Jewish advocacy organization and an agency of the Jewish Federations of Canada. It was founded in 2004 as the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CCIJA) and headquartered in the district of North York within Toronto, Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hannah Rosenthal</span> American diplomat

Hannah Rosenthal is an American Democratic Party political official and Jewish non-profit executive who served as the U.S. Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism from 2009 until 2012 during the Obama administration.

Rabbi Steve Gutow is an American rabbi, lawyer, community activist, and Jewish leader. He is a visiting scholar at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and co-director of the Religious Leadership and Civic Engagement initiative. He formerly served as the president and CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-Defamation League</span> International Jewish organization

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), formerly known as the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, is a New York–based international non-governmental organization that was founded to combat antisemitism, as well as other forms of bigotry and discrimination. ADL is also known for its pro-Israel advocacy. Its current CEO is Jonathan Greenblatt. ADL headquarters are located in Murray Hill, in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The ADL has 25 regional offices in the United States including a Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C., as well as an office in Israel and staff in Europe. In its 2019 annual information Form 990, ADL reported total revenues of $92 million, the vast majority from contributions and grants. Its total operating revenue is reported at $80.9 million.

Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago that mobilizes the Jewish community of the region to advance racial and economic justice. JCUA partners with diverse community groups across the city and state to combat racism, antisemitism, poverty and other forms of systemic oppression, through grassroots community organizing, youth education programs, and community development.

David L. Bernstein served as President and CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) from 2016-2021. Until his appointment, David served as a consultant dedicated to assisting organizations and communities in strengthening their Israel education, engagement and advocacy work. He is also founder of CultureSolutions LLC, which works with non-profits on strategic planning and culture change efforts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jews for Racial and Economic Justice</span> American Jewish left-wing organization

Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) is an American left-wing non-profit grassroots Jewish organization based in New York City. JFREJ describes itself as a "movement to dismantle racism and economic exploitation". It operates both a 501(c)(3), also known as JFREJ Community and a 501(c)(4) known as JFREJ Action.

References

  1. 1 2 BKD (2020). "Independent Auditor's Report and Financial Statements: December 31, 2018" (PDF). New York: Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rosenfeld, Arno (December 19, 2022). "Pressed over liberal politics, Jewish public affairs group declares independence". The Forward . Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  3. ↑ "David Bernstein, New Head of JCPA, Vows Inclusive Fight Against BDS". The Forward. December 9, 2015. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Julius and Ethel Rosenberg". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ "JEWISH GROUPS QUESTION ANC LEADER OVER ISRAEL". The Washington Post . Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Jewish organizations mourn loss of Mandela". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. December 5, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Sunrise movement: DC chapter's singling out of Jewish groups is 'antisemitic and unacceptable'". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. October 22, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  8. ↑ Kampeas, Ron (May 8, 2023). "Jewish Council for Public Affairs names Amy Spitalnick, who sued Charlottesville rally organizers, as its CEO". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  9. ↑ Nathan Guttman (March 19, 2015). "Conservatives Break Jewish Silence To Denounce Bibi's Anti-Arab Election Scare Tactic". Jewish Daily Forward.
  10. ↑ "Israel". Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Pressed over liberal politics, Jewish public affairs group declares independence". The Forward. December 19, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.