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| A mock Israeli checkpoint on the UC Berkeley campus | Last week, a federal court in Northern California dismissed a lawsuit by two students at UC Berkeley who claimed that anti-Israel activity on campus, such as “Apartheid Week” with mock checkpoints, is harassment that is an actionable hostile environment.
The JCPA board adopted a statement in June expressing great concern about anti-Israel activity on some college campuses and the need for well coordinated strategies to protect Jewish students and support initiatives that promote Israel and the well-being of Jewish students. The statement calls for dialogue, outreach, and other engagement with campus officials. It also supports a Department of Education interpretation of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Right Act that JCPA had sought with other groups joined. That interpretation confirms that law protects that Jews and other religious groups whose religious identity is integrally tied to their ethnicity or national origin. A resolution on the topic will be debated at the JCPA Plenum in June.
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Anti-Israel Conference at UPenn
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| An advertisement for the UPenn Conference | A conference to promote boycotts of and divestment from Israel is planned to be held at the University of Pennsylvania in February. The event is being coordinated by off-campus organizations that promote the delegitimization of Israel, and just a single student is behind the student organization sponsoring the event. The University is not endorsing the conference and has stated that they do not support sanctions or boycotts against Israel.The Israel Action Network has been working with local and national groups to condemn the event and help counter the efforts and will issue more updates in the coming weeks.
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Tonight is the last night of Hannukah, a celebration of Jewish persistence for freedom and fighting for our values. When we admire the bright lights of our fully lit menorahs tonight, we are reminded of our victories and the spirit that led the Maccabees to rededicate recently defiled Temple in Jerusalem. This spirit continues in us today. As we approach a new year, we rededicate ourselves to consensus building, coalition building and civic engagement. Our voice and action is needed to support vulnerable families plagued by poverty, confront those that attempt to delegitimize or isolate the Jewish state, and build a culture of civility and respect across the country. Our values compel us to continue to work towards a better world. We hope that you will join us and wish you and your loved ones a Happy Hannukah and a good New Year. |
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December 27, 2011 |
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in the news Partnering to Defend Israel: The JCPA and IAN are partnering with the ADL and a number of Jewish Community Relations Councils to prepare materials and training to help communities counter efforts to delegitimize Israel.
Shaping Debates on Israel: JCPA’s Ethan Felson says we are living in “controversial times” as he reflects on splits in the Jewish community regarding Israel in the Jewish world.
What’s it Like to Live on Food Stamps? The experience of JCPA’s Rabbi Gutow helps to shape the lessons about hunger learned by those in New Jersey who have been taking the Food Stamp Challenge.
Vigils for Alan Gross: Ron Halber of the JCRC of Greater Washington, and others, discuss the weekly DC vigils for Alan Gross, the Jewish aid worker who has been imprisoned in Cuba.
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happening now
Strengthening Israel’s Democracy: The JCPA is cosponsoring a series of talks and workshops to advance civic equality in Israel for its 1.2 million Arab citizens.
Voter ID Law Controversy: The Department of Justice has objected to a South Carolina Voter ID law on the grounds that it cannot be enforced without infringing on the voting rights of minorities.
Iran Threatens to Block Oil: Iran has threatened to block oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz if Western countries further sanction or isolate Iran for its nuclear program.
Arab League Monitors Visit Syria: Arab monitors have arrived in the Syrian city of Homs to report on the government’s violent crackdown of protests.
Payroll Tax Cut Extended: After a standoff in Congress, President Obama has signed a 2-month extension of the payroll tax cut.
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about us
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is the united voice of the organized Jewish community. For more than sixty years, the JCPA has identified issues, formulated policy, developed strategies and programs, and given expression to a strongly united Jewish communal voice. JCPA's has an unparalleled capacity to mobilize grassroots activism, through our network of 14 national and 125 local member agencies. The JCPA serves as a catalyst that heightens community awareness, encourages civic and social involvement, and deliberates key issues of importance to the Jewish community. |
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