September 27, 2019
L'Shanah Tovah 
WEEK IN REVIEW
There will be much to discuss at our Rosh Hashanah tables Sunday night. The High Holidays are time of reflection. We reflect as individuals and as a community.

The Jewish community has certainly faced its sets of challenges this year. Anti-Semitism is on the rise. We saw another shooting at a synagogue in California which killed one and wounded three. The President has questioned the Jewish community's loyalty and anti-Semitic tropes are a theme he and others use regularly.

Security has now become common place at our synagogues, just like in Europe. "But security does nothing to reduce anti-Semitism nor does it get to the root causes," said former Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Ira Forman, when he spoke to JAC members this week. He said it is critical that Jews "need to mobilize and call out the haters."

We should also be concerned about Trump's blatant disregard for the cornerstone of our democracy -- the Constitution. This sacred 231-year-old document enables Jews to be fully integrated into every aspect of American life with the comfort of knowing we have the Constitution to safe-guard our rights. No other time in history has the Jewish community had such protections.

The health of American democracy, the health of civil society, should be a Jewish priority, Forman said. For Jews, however, the historical record makes it clear that the weakening of civil society and the breakdown of American democracy would be particularly ominous.

The Jewish community has a long history of activism, which is not just limited to fighting for our rights, but for those less fortunate as well. We have made a difference in this country by using our political muscle. If we do not step up to protect our democracy, there may come a time when the rights we take for granted will evaporate.

"It is not our responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but we are not free to desist from it either." (Pirkei Avot)

We hope in the coming year that you will join with JAC as we work to elect leaders who protect our values and ensure that our democracy remains strong and vibrant.

Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year. L'Shana Tovah.
JAC AROUND TOWN
JAC member Kristine Schanbacher, candidate for U.S. Congress IL-7 at the JAC office.
(l to r: Kristine Schanbacher, Susan Insoft, Jacki Parmacek, Benita Cohen, Bruce Balonick)
JAC members joined the Personal PAC annual luncheon for women's reproductive rights.
(l to r: Marcia Balonick, Susan Insoft, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), and Tamar Newberger)
JAC members heard Cecile Richards, the key note speaker at the Personal PAC luncheon.
(l to r: Cecile Richards and Susan Insoft)
ISRAEL
Israeli Politics Remain in Chaos After Deadlocked Election     
    
Benjamin Netanyahu has been tasked by Israel's president to form a new government for the sixth time in his lengthy political career. This time it's no mere formality, but rather a daunting endeavor that looks like mission impossible. Officially, Netanyahu has up to four weeks to present a stable government. President Reuven Rivlin, who is responsible for delegating a leader to form a government, gave Netanyahu the nod because he deemed him to have the best odds of success.
Continued Reading

ANTI-SEMITISM & BDS
Israel, U.S. Urge EU to Take Action Against Boycott Movement

Israeli and U.S. officials warned of a rise in attacks on Jews in western Europe and urged European Union leaders to stop funding organizations that support an international boycott of Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians. Gilad Erdan, Israel's minister of strategic affairs, said before meeting with a group of European lawmakers that the EU should make sure its money does not go to groups that support the Palestinian-led boycott movement. 
Continued Reading

CHOICE
The Fight to End Roe v. Wade Enters Its Endgame Next Week
 
The constitutional right to an abortion is almost certainly coming to an end - the only question is how long the Supreme Court's new majority will take to kill it off. It's not likely to be very long. On Monday, the Supreme Court will meet to decide whether to hear a case that could leave little, if any, of this right standing.  
Continued Reading


SEPARATION
Anti-LGTBQ Congressman Introduces Anti-Abortion Bill to Protect 'Unborn Gay Children'

A congressman who voted against protections for LGBTQ workers in 2016 concluded his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives Monday with legislation that would ban fetal genetic testing meant to determine sexual orientation. The restriction, introduced by Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), is necessary to " protect the lives of unborn gay children," Duffy said in a statement. The former reality TV star retired from the House Monday after serving more than four terms.  
Continued Reading


BEYOND THE CORE
What It's like to Lose Your Child to Gun Violence

February 14, 2018 seemed like it was going to be an extra special day. It was Valentine's Day, and after the typical chaotic morning getting my two teenagers out the door by 7 am so that they wouldn't be late for school, I was happy we would celebrate when they arrived back home with cards, candy and gifts. Unfortunately, that never happened.        
Continued Reading


POLITICAL BYTE
Already Light, Legislative Menu Chopped down by Impeachment Fight
 
Congress wasn't doing much legislatively in this polarized environment. President Trump wasn't exactly tearing through his policy to-do list, either. Now, with an explosive impeachment inquiry suddenly thrown into the mix, they are likely to do even less than the little they were already doing.
Continued Reading

 

FYI
Robert Boyd, Journalist Whose Reporting Shifted an Election, Dies at 91    
 
Robert S. Boyd, a journalist who shared a Pulitzer Prize for uncovering evidence that Senator Thomas F. Eagleton had undergone electroshock therapy for depression, a revelation that compelled Senator George S. McGovern to jettison Mr. Eagleton as his Democratic running mate for vice president in 1972, died on Friday in Philadelphia. He was 91.
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.
_______________

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
"Sometimes I'm afraid to go to sleep for fear that I will wake up and our democracy will be gone and never return."  
 
-- Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
    

Thursday, October 10
Michigan Membership Meeting
featuring
Senators Debbie Stabenow & Gary Peters (D-MI)
11:00 am
Franklin, MI
____________________________

Thursday, October 17
Senate Candidate Mark Kelly (D-AZ) &
Former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ)
Chicago, IL
__________________________
 
Thursday, October 24
Virtual Talking Points
featuring
Ben Winkler
Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Details to be announced 
 ___________________________

SAVE THE DATE
April 21-23, 2020
JAC's 2020 Annual Meeting
Celebrating 40 years of JAC
Washington, DC
__________________________

Want to host a JAC event? Contact the office and we will help organize it.
[email protected] or 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.