April 30, 2001 Vol. 3, No. 11

 This Week in Washington...

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

Education Debate Off to Rocky Start: A cloture vote to end Democratic objection to motions to proceed with the debate to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (ESEA) has been scheduled for May 1^st. Democrats say they will not proceed until a deal is struck on how much funding should go to the programs. Several billion (yes, that’s billion with a b) dollars separate the negotiators. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is currently scheduled to begin mark-up of their version of the bill on Wednesday. 2 provisions in the House version separating the parties are one which would prevent federal funds from being used to teach hate crime prevention, and one which would allow schools to use 20% of their federal administrative funds for defense against lawsuits over religious expression in the schools. The JCPA remains committed to supporting, strengthening and sustaining public schools, because we believe that public schools continue to represent for most children the primary route to full participation in the nation’s economic, political and social life. Contact rprice@thejcpa.org for more information.

Religious Freedom Hearing Scheduled: Senator Gordon Smith (OR), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing on May 1^st on religious freedom in Western Europe. The American Jewish Committee offer testimony at that time. Just last week, Senator Smith received the "Torch of Liberty Award" from the NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States and Eurasia," for his work against anti-Semitism in the former Soviet Union. Senator Smith noted at that time that he will make Russian President Vladimir Putin know how much the west cares about the issue, and that we will monitor his treatment of Jews.

Immigration and Asylum Issues On the Docket: The JCPA will add its name to testimony being offered by Leonard Glickman, President and CEO of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) on May 3^rd before the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration. The testimony notes that "Just as the Russian Jews in the 1880’s called upon the American Jewish community and United States government to free them from bondage and offer them a chance for a new life, refugees continue to call out to us to provide safety and home for a future." Contact rprice@thejcpa.org for copies of the testimony.

This Week in New York…

For more information, contact Benita Gayle-Almeleh, Director of Community Relations and Special Projects at bga@thejcpa.org

Faith Based Answers! The Senate hearing on charitable choice and faith based initiatives original scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed at least one week. Visit the JCPA website (www.jewishpublicaffairs.org) to read an important exchange of letters between JCPA Executive Director Hannah Rosenthal and Dr. John DiIulio, Jr., director of the White House Office on Faith Based and Community Initiatives.

USS Liberty, Redux: JCPA has received several calls regarding publication of a new book about the 1967 bombing of the USS Liberty which is highly critical of Israel. Contact mraffel@thejcpa.org with any questions.

Mazel Tov: JSBOR Co-Chair Mel Shralow and Rhoda Shralow will be honored at a Tribute Brunch by the York Road/Wingate/Ben-Gurion Unit of B'nai B'rith Liberty Region.

Reminder: Our next "JCPA Monday" call for CRC professionals will take place next Mon day, May 7^th at 1 pm NY time. Mark your calendars and look for specific call information shortly.