Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
On July 26, NCJW joined Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and our partners in the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, at a press conference in the US Capitol to introduce a measure to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). From an increased investment in sexual violence prevention programs to provisions to hold offenders accountable on tribal lands to efforts to make our criminal justice system more responsive to survivors to updated definitions to protections for incarcerated survivors, the legislation includes the realistic enhancements survivors need and advocates have asked for. VAWA is set to expire on September 30. NCJW helped draft VAWA and its subsequent reauthorizations.

Take Action! Call your representative (Capitol Switchboard #202-224-3121) to urge them to cosponsor this critical legislation . Let them know we need VAWA reauthorized now before it expires — survivors can’t wait for lifesaving responses to sexual violence and communities can’t wait for prevention programs.

To learn more about VAWA and to learn about its critical protections, the key enhancements in H.R. 6545, and how you can help ensure that VAWA is reauthorized, attend a free webinar sponsored by the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence ("NTF"). Click here to register.

Weekly Wrap Up
Did you know that our National office puts out a weekly wrap up each Friday afternoon? Click here to subscribe and stay informed with advocacy at the national level!

Protect refugees.
Two weeks ago, our CEO Nancy K. Kaufman visited the Mexican border as part of the Jewish Leadership Border Mission, led by HIAS and the Anti-Defamation League. She met the people behind the immigration headlines and heard their stories firsthand. Now you can witness what she experienced. Watch HIAS's powerful video detailing this border mission.

But don't stop there. It's time to take action. Reports indicate that the Trump Administration, led by hard line Senior Policy Advisor Stephen Miller, might admit as few as 15,000 refugees next year. This is unacceptable, downright deadly, and could increase the number of people detained at the southern border. 

Women In 2018: Progress Amidst The Setbacks
If Jewish communal organizations are going to effectively close the gender gap, we need to critically analyze our own practices and policies. We are no less vulnerable to workplace abuse and harassment than secular organizations. These inequities have been swept under the carpet for far too long, and it is time that the Jewish community names them, faces them, and remedies them. That process is already unfolding, thanks to initiatives such as the newly formed Safety Respect Equity Coalition. The coalition is a group of more than 50 individuals, organizations and foundations who have come together to support the efforts of Jewish organizations to strengthen policies and practices concerning sexual harassment and gender equity in their own workplaces. NCJW is a proud partner in this effort. Click here to read the full article.

For more NCJW advocacy updates and actions from Capitol Hill visit: http://bit.ly/ncjw-policy-updates .