March 11, 2002 Vol. 4, No. 9

We Stand With Israel: UJC, the JCPA, and the Conference of Presidents have declared Sunday, March 24^th, a national day for communities to express solidarity with Israel.  We encourage local communities to hold programs that send the message, “We stand with the People and the Government of Israel as Israel resists violence and pursues peace.” We understand that many communities have already planned events close to this date.  We urge you to continue with those scheduled plans and add additional programming if your schedule permits.  An event will be held in New York City on March 24th that will feature Prime Minister Sharon and members of the Unity government in Israel via satellite feed.  Stay tuned for further details on how your community can access this special broadcast.  Additionally, a statement of solidarity is being drafted and will be available in the next few days.  Please contact Rachel Lerner, Israel Advocacy Outreach Coordinator, at rlerner@thejcpa.org to let the JCPA know how we can help organize an event in your community.  We will keep you updated with programming ideas and information on events planned by different communities.

Here and There on Capitol Hill: As the country observes the sixth month anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11^th, Congress continues its weekly investigations, hearings, and briefings about new ways to fight terrorism. The National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International Relations Subcommittee, chaired by Congressman Shays (R-CT), will hold a hearing on progress made since Sept. 11^th in protecting the United States from terrorist attacks. The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, chaired by Congressman LoBiondo (R-NJ), will hold two hearings on port security, and Senator Feinstein (D-CA) will chair a hearing of the Senate Technology, Terrorism and Government Information Subcommittee to discuss the connection between drugs and terrorism worldwide.

It will be a busy few days on Capitol Hill for Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services. The House and Senate have both scheduled hearings on Tuesday to examine the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (AKA welfare reform) and lessons learned from changes in the welfare system. The hearings will be an opportunity to discuss how the legislation can and should be "finetuned" as Congress begins to consider reauthorization of this very important program. (See JCPA resolution on the subject from the 2002 Plenum at www.jewishpublicaffairs.org). 

On Wednesday, the Health Subcommittee, chaired by Representative Bilirakis (R-FL), will hear from Secretary Thompson on the FY 2003 request for health care programs covered by the Department of Health and Human Services. The House Budget Committee will mark up the FY 2003 House Budget Resolution this Wednesday.  JCPA urges House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle (R-IA) and Ranking Member John Spratt (D-SC)  to support no less than the President's request of $25.5 billion for the International Affairs Budget.  The programs included in this account are critical to both national security and helping the U.S. win the war on terrorism.

Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act Front and Center Again: Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (SD) has pledged to bring the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act or LLEEA (S 625 / HR 1343) to the floor by Memorial Day. The LLEEA currently has 51 co-sponsors in the Senate and 205 cosponsors in the House. As in past years, the LLEEA (formerly known as the Hate Crimes Prevention Act) amends the current law by removing overly restrictive obstacles to federal involvement; it would allow cases to be prosecuted even without proof that the victim was attacked while engaging in federally-protected activity.  The bill also provides new authority for federal officials to assist local prosecutions, and where appropriate, investigate and prosecute cases in which the bias violence occurs because of the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Two programs airing this month on HBO and NBC about the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming in October 1998 highlight the need for this important legislation. Please contact your Senators and urge them to support the LLEEA when it comes to a vote. The JCPA is participating in a month-long letter writing campaign (each day a different group is sending letters to the Senate) with coalition partners to fight for this crucial legislation.

A Day of Fast and Prayer: The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has declared Wednesday, March 13^th, Erev Rosh Chodesh Nisan, a day of fast and prayer.  This is a critical moment, as Vice President Cheney travels to the region and General Zinni returns to Israel.  The translated statement reads as follows:

And They Shall Cry Out to G-d In Their Suffering

This is a time of suffering for (the house of) Jacob, and we have no one on whom to rely except our Father who is in Heaven. In response to the brutal attacks in which Jewish blood has been spilled, we have all been stirred to prayer and to crying out to He who dwells in Heaven on behalf of peace for the people of Israel.

Therefore, Wednesday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Nisan has been declared to be a day of prayer, in which all the multitudes of the house of Israel, wherever they are, shall in the afternoon hours congregate in Synagogues in order to recite Slichot and Psalms, and all who are able to fast should accept upon themselves a fast of Yom Kippur Katan during the daytime hours.

A central prayer service will be held at the Kotel Plaza at 4:15 PM, with the participation of the Chief Rabbis Shlita and sages of Israel, with Reading of the Torah, the Vayechal prayer, and sounding of the shofar.

May it be G-ds will that by means of the merit of this public prayer, we will be redeemed eternally, and the verse There will never again be heard the sound of violence (Chamas) in your land, desolation or destruction within your borders, and you shall call your walls salvation and your gates praise will apply to us.

In expectation of Divine Mercy,

Eliyahu Bakshi Doron
Rishon LeTzion, Chief Rabbi of Israel
Yisrael Meir Lau
Chief Rabbi of Israel

Jewish Council for Public Affairs
443 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016
info@thejcpa.org
212-684-6950 212-686-1353 fax

Jewish Council for Public Affairs
443 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
212 684-6950
212-686-1353 fax
contactus@thejcpa.org