January 4, 2019
With Rep. Josh Harder (CA-10). (l to r: Jamie Sher, Marisa Matarazzo, Kristine Schanbacher, Kyle Seay, Betsy Sheerr, Josh Harder, Sarah Lavin, Jacki Pamacek, Joyce Amico, Lisa Lavin)
With Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6). (l to r: Joyce Amico, Betsy Sheerr, Chrissy Houlahan, Marissa Matarazzo, Jamie Sher)
With Rep. Sean Caten (IL-6). (l to r: Lisa Lavin, Sarah Lavin, Sean Casten, Jacki Parmacek, Hollis Wein)
With Senators Tina Smith & Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). (l to r: Hollis Wein, Marcia Balonick, Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, Linda Rae Sher)
With Rep. Deb Haaland (NM-1). (l to r: Linda Rae Sher, Deb Haaland, Marcia Balonick)
With Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8). (l to r: Hollis Wein, Linda Rae Sher, Nancy Kohn, Marcia Balonick, Priya Krishnamoorthi, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Sarah Lavin, Jacki Parmacek, Lisa Lavin)
With Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). (l to r: Lisa Lavin, Sarah Lavin, Ron Wyden, Jamie Sher, Marisa Matarazzo, Kyle Seay, Kristine Schanbacher, Marcia Balonick, Linda Rae Sher)
Marisa Matarazzo with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

JAC just returned from attending the swearing-in of the 116th Congress. It was exciting to see the many candidates we helped elect begin their first terms in Congress. These new members are filled with optimism and hope as they begin their work to advance an agenda that will protect health care, reproductive rights, and the environment.

The Freshman class is the most racially diverse, youngest, and have more school-aged kids than any Congress in history. There are 15 percent more women in this Congress than there were last session. This includes a record number of former servicewoman.

J AC was invited to receptions and parties across the Hill for the newly elected and returning Members of Congress. One of the highlights included Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) displaying his harmonica-playing skills with his own rendition of 'This Land is Your Land.'

The new Congress wasted no time in getting down to business. Following the ceremony there were votes on keeping the government open. Voting lasted into the night.

We look forward to working with new Congress to protect JAC's issues, which include: a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, reproductive freedom and the separation of religion and state.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) playing harmonica at his inauguration party.

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Do you know a high school or college student who would like to intern at JAC during the school year or next summer? Call the JAC office at 847.433.5999 about opportunities.

ISRAEL
U.S. Exit from Syria Does Not End Cooperation in the Region, Pompeo Tells Netanyahu   
  
The United States' withdrawal of some 2,000 ground troops from Syria does not signal the end of the U.S. commitment to Israel's security, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.  
Continued Reading

ANTI-SEMITISM & BDS
Ohio Doctor Fired by Hospital After Saying She Would Give Jews 'the Wrong Meds' 
 
A hospital in Cleveland reportedly fired a resident after it was discovered she had been sharing anti-Semitic comments on social media. The Cleveland Clinic confirmed that Lara Kollab is no longer working with the organization after having only worked as a supervised resident with the clinic from July to September last year.
Continued Reading



CHOICE
Activists Brace for 2019 Abortion-Rights Battles in the States

With a newly configured U.S. Supreme Court, the stakes are high for abortion-rights battles at the state level. Abortion-rights advocates and opponents are preparing for a busy year - from a tug-of-war over Roe v. Wade to smaller efforts that could expand or restrict access to abortion. 
Continued Reading

SEPARATION
Trump Administration Considers Rollback of Anti-Discrimination Rules

The Trump administration is considering a far-reaching rollback of civil rights law that would dilute federal rules against discrimination in education, housing and other aspects of American life, people familiar with the discussions said. Disparate impact was written into the original regulations that implemented Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination based on race, color or national origin by entities, including schools, that receive federal funding. 
Continued Reading

BEYOND THE CORE
McConnell Faces Pressure from Republicans to Stop Avoiding Shutdown Fight

For weeks, Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, has remained conspicuously on the sidelines, insisting that it was up to President Trump and Democrats to negotiate an end to the partial shutdown of the federal government. But with the shutdown soon to enter its third week, Mr. McConnell for the first time is facing pressure from members of his own party to step in to resolve the stalemate that has left 800,000 federal workers either furloughed or working without pay.     
Continued Reading



POLITICAL BYTE
A Woman's Place Is in the House
  
This is a seismic shift; such significant movement means the ground under our feet may not always feel stable. Right now, we fortify our roots by soaking up the joy of advancement and basking in the glow of Instagram feeds of women who look nothing like Mr. Smith, and who are revolutionizing Washington.
FYI
18 Awesome Things That Happened to Jews in 2018
 
Beauty-queens-turned-diplomats Sarah Idan and Adar Gandelsman became dear friends and allies, even though they met when Idan was the year's Miss Iraq and Gandelsman was Miss Israel. Despite threats that caused her extended family to flee Iraq, Idan stayed public about her relationship with Gandelsman, going on to make a warm visit to Israel. The two women also partnered on a fundraiser for Israeli emergency services, ignoring a cacophony of criticism in favor of friendship. 
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.

Know someone who would be interested in joining or hosting a meeting? Let us know at [email protected]. We will be happy to help organize a JACII in your city.
The Last Word
"Our service is our love letter to our democracy,"

-  Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)    
    
 
Save the Date!
Join JAC in Washington, D.C. for our  
Annual Conference
March 12-14
More information to follow.
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(Want to host a JAC event? Contact the office and we will help organize it. 847.433.5999 or [email protected]) 
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.
Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for each individual who contributes over $200 in a calendar year. Maximum contribution per person may not exceed $5,000 per calendar year. According to law, JACPAC cannot accept corporate contributions. Membership, gifts, or other payments to JACPAC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.