October 18, 2019
WEEK IN REVIEW
Democracy lost a friend with the passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD). He was a passionate protector of JAC's issues throughout his time in Congress and we were proud to support him over the years.

JAC member June Rogul, who met with Cummings during the 2018 campaign cycle, recalled how impressed she was with him.

"It was so evident when we met with Rep. Cummings on behalf of JAC what a principled, decent and gracious man he was, " she said.  "As a U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, he was deeply committed to doing what was in the best interest of the United States. His death is a huge loss to our country and to the pursuit of truth and justice in government."

Cummings worked closely with the Jewish community, helping to strengthen the relationship between the Jewish and African-American communities. He created the Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel (ECYP), a non-profit organization that prepares high school students to become future leaders.

During these incredibly bitter, partisan times, Cummings was a cool, calm voice of reason seeking common ground with those within in his party and across the aisle. That is how our elected officials should act.  

At a time when nearly 80 percent of the public disapprove the job Congress is doing, Cummings was the type of representative that reminded us of the good that can be achieved when you place principles over politics.

There are many dedicated, committed Members of Congress whom JAC has worked to elect ( Click here to see complete list.) They served side-by-side with Cummings.  

Cummings had deep respect for the institution where he served and its ability to transform people's lives. But his work is not done. Let's ensure that we continue to send candidates to Congress who will continue to uphold Cummings tradition. Elections matter. 

Not sure who to donate to? Make a donation to JAC and we will use it to support our candidates.
JAC AROUND TOWN
JAC members Rhoda and Don Mains delivered JAC support to Rep. Angie Craig (MN-2) in Minnesota this week.
Executive Director Marcia Balonick met with Rep. Jason Crow (CO-6) and delivered JAC support to him in Colorado. (l to r: Rep. Jason Crow, Bruce Balonick, Marcia Balonick, Stephen Ehrlich, Laura Ehrlich)
JAC members delivered JAC support to Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6) in CA this week. (l to r: AnnDee Levy, Chrissy Houlahan, Rachel Levy)
JAC members delivered JAC support to Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) in Los Angeles this week. (r-l: Rachel Levy, AnnDee Levy, Mikie Sherrill, Eileen Stringer)
JAC members delivered JAC support to Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-7) in Los Angeles this week.
(r-l: Eileen Stringer, Abigail Spanberger, AnnDee Levy)
ISRAEL
Pompeo Seeks to Reassure Israel Amid Syria Turmoil         
    
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Israel's prime minister to reaffirm the countries' close ties at a time when many in Israel fear the Trump administration intends to cut and run from the Middle East. The meeting came a day after a U.S. delegation led by Vice President Mike Pence and Pompeo reached an agreement with Turkey to halt its week-old offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria. 
Continued Reading

ANTI-SEMITISM & BDS
Anti-Semitism on the Rise in the EU

For years, anti-Semitic prejudice and violence have been on the rise in the European Union. The  attack on a synagogue and two passers-by in Halle on Yom Kippur by a self-confessed far-right extremist is just the tip of the iceberg. A 2018 survey found that 65% of French citizens and 43% of Germans consider anti-Semitic incidents a "very serious problem." In Italy, however, only 21% shared the view, while merely 14% of Danes said they thought this was problematic.
Continued Reading

CHOICE
Louisiana Could Become the First State Without Abortion Access as Soon as Next Year   
 
Louisiana could become the first state not to have legal abortion access since the procedure was legalized in 1973. Depending on the outcome of an upcoming Supreme Court case next spring, the state could see abortion access effectively eliminated, even though Roe v. Wade - the case that legalized the procedure - would stay intact. Louisiana's "Unsafe Abortion Protection Act" is at the heart of the Supreme Court case. 
Continued Reading


SEPARATION
Your Neighbor's Christian Education, Courtesy of Your Tax Dollars

This term, the Supreme Court is set to consider cases that could have momentous implications for the future of abortion and LGBTQ rights. It will also hear arguments in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, an important case about state-voucher funding for private religious schools. If the petitioners win, this case could empower activists such as the current secretary of education, Betsy DeVos, who want more government money to flow to private education, and who believe states are in serious need of a course correction on the way they view religious schools.    
Continued Reading


BEYOND THE CORE
Halle Survivor: Gun Control Saved My Life

We had just begun the Torah portion Wednesday when we heard the first explosion. My eyes moved from holy words to unholy smoke billowing in the courtyard. My instincts, conditioned by Parkland, Pittsburgh and Poway, forced me under the pew, before my brain understood what had sent me there.  
Continued Reading



POLITICAL BYTE
In Bipartisan Rebuke, House Majority Condemns Trump for Syria Withdrawal
 
The House dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke to President Trump for his decision to withdraw American forces just inside Syria's border, registering overwhelming opposition in Congress to a move that has thrown the region into bloody chaos and unraveled Middle East policy. In a rare break with a president they are normally unwilling to criticize, two-thirds of House Republicans, including all of the party's elected leaders, joined Democrats in approving a resolution that opposed Mr. Trump's acquiescence to the Turkish assault against the Kurds, who have been crucial American allies in the fight against the Islamic State. The measure passed, 354 to 60, in the most significant bipartisan repudiation of Mr. Trump since he took office.
Continued Reading

 
FYI
Dwight Eisenhower, Holocaust Rescuer       
 
Fifty years after his death, a growing new appreciation for the president's special empathy for the Jewish people.
Continued Reading

JAC II
Introducing JACII, a JAC group for young professionals, advocates, and those young at heart who are looking to get involved. Groups have started in Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
 
Events will feature elected officials and speakers in lively settings. JACII is by and for young people. Now is the perfect time to get involved.
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Know someone who would be interested in joining or hosting a meeting? Let us know at info@jacpac.org. We will be happy to help organize a JACII in your city.

The Last Word
"I'm begging the American people to pay attention to what is going on. Because if you want to have a democracy intact for our children, and your children's children, and generations yet unborn, we've got to guard this moment...this is our watch."
--  Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) 
Events
    

 
Thursday, October 24
Virtual Talking Points
featuring
Ben Wikler
Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin
9:30 - 11:00 am 
Bannockburn, IL & online 
 
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SAVE THE DATE
April 21-23, 2020
JAC's 2020 Annual Meeting
Celebrating 40 years of JAC
Washington, DC
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Want to host a JAC event? Contact the office and we will help organize it.
info@jacpac.org or 847.433.5999
Jewish Community Voter Guide 
The 2019 Jewish Community Voter Guide is now available.

The JAC Education Foundation's nonpartisan Congressional Voter Guide is now available for download and in print version. This edition tracks the votes of all members of the House and Senate from January - July of 2019 on key votes important to the Jewish community.


If you would like printed copies for your synagogue or organization, please contact the JAC Education Foundation office at 847.433.5999.
Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC) is a pro-Israel PAC with a domestic agenda. We support a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and advocate for reproductive health and the separation of religion and state and incorporate other issues of importance to the Jewish community, including gun violence prevention and climate change. In addition to providing financial support for U.S. Senate and House campaigns, JACPAC educates our membership with outreach events designed to inform and activate their participation in the political process.
Paid for by Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs. Contributions or gifts are not tax deductible.  Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle. Corporate contributions and contributions from non-US citizens who are not lawfully admitted for permanent residence are prohibited. All contributions by individuals must be made from personal funds and may not be reimbursed or paid by another person.