Posted on May 17, 2016
Whereas the global history of the Jewish people is replete with case studies in community relations: from Queen Esther’s intervention, which saved the Jewish people from extermination in Shushan, to Casar Kaskal, whose appeal to President Lincoln saved Jews from expulsion in Kentucky at the hands of General Ulysses S. Grant; Whereas the hallmarks of…
Posted on February 28, 2010
Adopted by 2010 Plenum Robust, vigorous debate about the pressing issues of the day is vital and essential in a pluralistic society, including within our diverse Jewish community. Deep divisions are to be expected over how to address many issues including but not limited to the domestic economy, the environment, health care, American military involvement abroad, the Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict and…
Posted on February 28, 2009
The principal mandate of the Jewish community relations field, as expressed in the JCPA mission statement, involves three interrelated goals including safeguarding the rights of Jews here and around the world, dedicating ourselves to the safety and security of the state of Israel, and advancing a just American society that furthers harmonious intergroup relations. …
Posted on February 24, 2004
BACKGROUND The teaching most often repeated in the Torah instructs us to protect the stranger in our midst. Regrettably, too often in the past the American colonies and the state and national governments rejected the values embodied in this teaching, most notably in the institution and perpetuation of slavery. Millions of Africans and…
Posted on February 24, 2004
The JCPA has supported government and private sector affirmative action for many years, as long as race is one of many factors considered, only individuals judged to be qualified are accepted or rewarded, and quotas are not utilized. As recently as 2000, JCPA concluded a lengthy study on race and ethnicity and reaffirmed this…
Posted on February 24, 2003
With increasing frequency, Jewish individuals and organizations are being called upon to participate in boycotts and other economic measures intended to change the behavior of companies, institutions, media outlets and countries deemed to be hostile to Israel or other Jewish interests. In many communities, the grassroots boycott efforts have been specifically directed at newspapers…
Posted on February 24, 2002
The terrorist attacks of September 11th and subsequent events have generated an inevitable shift in national priorities and altered the legislative landscape in Congress. The nation has properly focused and must continue to focus on issues arising from the fight against terrorism, on defense and security, recovery and rebuilding. At the same time, we…
Posted on February 18, 2002
RESOLVED: That JCPA consider for membership as a national member agency, Jewish organizations whose activities are national in scope and have a significant community relations component. Among the factors to be considered by the Membership Committee in deciding whether to recommend admission as a national member agency are: the nature and scope of the applicant’s…
Posted on February 22, 1999
Background Civic engagement is a cornerstone of Jewish religion and culture. Certain prayers can only be said in the presence of a minyan. Judaism recognizes that healthy spiritual growth depends on commitment to the community and engagement in the affairs and institution of the Tzibur, the public. Over the past few decades the United States…
Posted on October 23, 1995
Events in the last several months have served to underscore the profound racial divide which continues to exist within our country. This divide increasingly undermines the efforts of people of goodwill to work together to ensure an open, inclusive, pluralistic society which safeguards the well-being of all its citizens. It is imperative that we…