January 3, 2000 | Vol.2, No. 1

This Week in Washington¼

For more information, contact Reva Price, Washington Representative at rprice@thejcpa.org

SHALOM, SA’ALAM IN SHEPHERDSTOWN? Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara resume peace talks today in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, a previously little-known town just under two hours by car from Washington, but significantly, less as the Presidential helicopter flies. As he did during the Wye talks, President Clinton will be in attendance during the first day of discussions (today) and will make himself available as called on by the negotiators. There is no fixed "end date" for this round of discussions but Administration staff are assuming the talks will last between 7 and 10 days. The negotiators have agreed to begin with meetings of the "normalization" and "security arrangements" committees, then move on to the question of water, followed by the issue of borders between the two countries. JCPA will monitor reports of these historic talks and provide the field with interpretative material as necessary. Contact mraffel@thejcpa.org with any questions.

GET OUT THE VOTE: With the start of the new year, eyes are focused on the 2000 election. With the first Tuesday in November only eleven months away, the Iowa Caucuses will take place in three weeks, with the first primary of the season to be held on February 1 in New Hampshire. By mid-March, there will have already been election contests held in more than 30 states. While non profit organizations (those with 501 (c) (3) status) are prohibited from intervening or participating in a political campaign, non-partisan voter registration, education, and "get out the vote" campaigns do not in any way jeopardize that tax exempt status. Studies show that only 49% of the voting age public participated in the 1996 Presidential election, and only about 36% voted in 1998. Elections determine the policy direction our country will take and those who do not participate are opting out of those decisions. Check with your local election board for information on how to register to vote in your state. Contact the JCPA for program ideas for voter registration initiatives. Contact gfsiegel@thejcpa.org with any questions about election activity and 501 ( c ) (3) status.

NEW YEARS SURPRISE IN RUSSIA: Russian President Boris Yeltsin announced his immediate resignation on Friday, December 31, 1999. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has succeeded him, maintaining both portfolios through the spring election. Due to the New Year’s holiday, pundits have only just begun to analyze the impact of this change of power on our nation’s international agenda. For an update on this dramatic transfer of power, check the National Conference on Soviet Jewry web site at www.ncsj.org.

This Week in New York¼

For more information, contact Benita Gayle-Almeleh, Senior Community Consultant at bga@thejcpa.org

UPDATE ARGENTINA: JCPA will convene a conference call this Wednesday, January 5^th to assess the new Argentine government and the status of investigations into the Israeli embassy and AMIA bombings. A "DC Day" on Argentina is being planned as part of the JCPA Plenum’s Capitol Hill Day. Contact eyaari@thejcpa.org for additional information.

ASSETS RESTITUTION: A brief Holocaust-Era Claims Survey has been sent to all CRCs to determine what assistance the JCPA might provide to member agencies engaged in this important effort. Contact lmallin@thejcpa.org with any questions or to request the Survey form.

PAPAL VISIT TO ISRAEL: Pope John Paul II’s spring 2000 visit to Israel and its potential community relations issues will be discussed in a meeting on Friday, January 7^th with Rabbi A. James Rudin, director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee and Dr. Eugene Fisher, Office of Catholic-Jewish Relations, National Conference of Catholic Bishops. JCPA’s Larry Rubin, Karen Senter and Guila Franklin Siegel will participate. JCPA will circulate background material and program ideas related to this historic event.

GIVE US THAT OLD-TIME REVISION: JCPA member agencies are reminded that the deadline for submitting comments on draft propositions is this Wednesday, January 5^th. Contact bga@thejcpa.org with any questions or problems.