September 13, 2019
There are certain historical moments that are seared into our memories. These moments recede into our subconsciousness, but rise again on the anniversaries of those events. This week on September 11th, we were flooded with emotions as we recalled that tragic day that redefined our lives as Americans.

We were all united as a country in our suffering that day. People felt the need to do something. There was a surge in patriotism in response to the fall of the towers. Volunteerism and charitable giving increased.

Now, 18 years later, our country is more divided than ever before.

A Gallop poll found that today American patriotism is at a recorded low - a definite casualty of our sharply polarized political climate. The decline reflects plummeting pride among Democrats since Trump took office, even as Republican pride has edged higher.

Political discourse and hateful rhetoric are now the ever present themes of our daily lives, incessantly fueled by the President. This has led to record increase in hate crimes. Since 9/11, right-wing groups have killed more people than jihadist terrorists, according to CNN.

The spirit of solidarity lasted for a time after that September morning, but it quickly evaporated giving rise to xenophobia aimed at Muslims and anyone that did not look "like us."

Today it is embodied in the Administration's policies against immigrants. Trump has encouraged hate to be embraced in the daylight. He has hijacked patriotism and turned it into nationalism, which is based on loyalty to a nation and a group of people who share a racial origin.

Hateful rhetoric that demonizes groups or individuals weakens us as a country. Racial division and fear are now used as political tools to engage and motivate people.

We can bring back the spirit that united us on September 11th by coming together again as a nation to engage in government in a positive way.  Get involved. Support candidates and vote - one the most patriotic things we can do as citizens.

Patriotism should not be only for national tragedies. Let it be our guiding light, leading our country back to a better place for all.
 
 
Sources:  Harvard Politic s, Deseret.com 
JAC AROUND TOWN
JAC met with MJ Hegar, candidate for U.S. Senate (D-TX) in Chicago. (l to r: Dana Gordon, Barbara Bluhm-Kaul, Susan Insoft, Lauren Cherny, MJ Hegar, Gail Regenbogen, Howard Swibel,
Jacki Parmacek, and Lori Friend)
ISRAEL
Here We Go Again: A Beginner's Guide to Israel's 2nd Election in 2019  
    
Trying to understand next week's Israeli elections can get confusing. Especially since we're talking about the second election in one year. Longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is mired in a series of corruption scandals and again facing a serious challenge from former military chief of staff Benny Gantz. Neither of them looks assured of victory, and they may be stuck with each other in what's called a unity government, where the two leading parties try to run the country together "Odd Couple"-style.  
Continued Reading

ANTI-SEMITISM & BDS
Democratic Bill Would Make Hate Crimes a Basis for Gun Bans

Congressional Democrats are considering a slate of new gun reforms in an attempt to further distinguish themselves from the GOP, whose Senate leadership is awaiting word from President Donald Trump before taking legislative action. In addition to bills that would ban high-capacity magazines and encourage states to pass red flag laws, the House is now considering a measure to block people convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes from obtaining firearms.
CHOICE
House GOP Wants Democrats to Take a Stance on This Anti-Choice Bill
 
HR 962 would require medical providers to "exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion." Legislation of this nature is based on myth: Experts say births after failed abortions are incredibly rare. It is already illegal to intentionally end the life of an infant, and similar legislation was already signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2002.  
Continued Reading


SEPARATION
'Someone's Gotta Tell the Freakin' Truth': Jerry Falwell's Aides Break Their Silence

Over the past year, Falwell, a prominent evangelical leader and supporter of President Donald Trump, has come under increasing scrutiny. News outlets have reported on business deals by Liberty University benefiting Falwell's friends. Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen claimed that he had helped Falwell clean up racy "personal" photographs. [C]oncerns about Falwell's behavior go well beyond that--and it's causing longtime, loyal Liberty University officials to rapidly lose faith in him.
BEYOND THE CORE
CEOs of 145 of America's Biggest Companies Send Letter to Senators Urging Gun Legislation

A group of 145 CEOs from some of the largest companies in America have sent a letter to senators demanding they pass stronger gun control laws, calling firearm violence "a public health crisis that demands urgent action."        
Continued Reading


POLITICAL BYTE
Debate Takeaways
 
While most of the attention was focused on Biden, Warren and Sanders, the second tier of candidates actually fared quite well, bringing big ideas to the table. Click below for a summary and for opinion pieces about the 3rd Democratic Presidential Debate.  The next debate is scheduled for October 15-16 in Ohio. 
Continued Reading

 
 
FYI
Girl Power: Hasbro Brings Gender Pay Gap Debate to Game Night with New MS. Monopoly  
Addressing the gender pay gap comes down to changing the rules of the game. That's exactly what Ms. Monopoly brings to the table. Hasbro is launching a new version of the iconic board game that celebrates female trailblazers and is the first "where women make more than men." The new game - which includes several modern updates including ride shares instead of railroads and Wi-Fi instead of water works - goes on sale this month at major national retailers.
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
"We have a responsibility and obligation to stand up for the safety of our employees, customers and all Americans in the communities we serve across the country. Doing nothing about America's gun violence crisis is simply unacceptable and it is time to stand with the American public on gun safety." 
 
--  Letter from 145 CEOs urging the Senate to pass gun control laws
   
Sunday, September 15
Talking Points LA
with
Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA-38)
3-5 pm
Encino, CA
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Wednesday, September 18
Coffee & Conversation
Cal Cunningham
Candidate for U.S. Senate - D-NC
9:15 am
JAC office
Highland Park, IL
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Tuesday, September 24
Reception in support of
Kristine Schanbacher
Candidate for IL-7
6-8 pm
Highland Park, IL
Call JAC office for details
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Thursday, September 26
Conference Call with Ira Forman
A Discussion on Anti-Semitism
This is a special opportunity for current JAC members.
2:00 pm CT
Call the JAC office for details and to confirm your membership status
847.433.5999
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Thursday, October 10
Michigan Membership Meeting
featuring
Senators Debbie Stabenow & Gary Peters (D-MI)
11:00 am
Franklin, MI
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Thursday, October 17
Senate Candidate Mark Kelly (D-AZ) &
Former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ)
Chicago, IL
Contact the JAC office for details 
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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
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.