EZ Read Aug 26, 2022

August 26, 2022

Candidate Spotlight

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA)

Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) has been recognized as the most bipartisan Member of Congress in the Virginia delegation, and the fifth most bipartisan member in both chambers and parties. She has been described by Politico as one of the Democratic party’s “rising stars.”

Redistricting shifted her Richmond base, and her home, out of the district she currently represents. She is now forced to run in a more Republican area and must introduce herself to a large swath of voters who are unfamiliar with her and her work in Congress. GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin would have carried her new district by six points. This year, she will be fighting hard to retain a seat in Congress.

JAC’s goal is to raise $20,000 for her re-election. With your help, we can meet this target.

Before her election to the House in 2018, Spanberger served in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and in the CIA. Her entire professional career has been defined by public service. JAC is committed to ensuring that she is able to continue her service to the American people.

DONATE TO REP SPANBERGER

She is one of Israel’s strongest supporters. As a Jewish Member of Congress, Spanberger has spoken on the House floor to defend Israel in the wake of terrorist attacks. She led an inter-faith group of colleagues to speak out after many criticized Israel for defending itself.

As a former federal law enforcement agent who carried a firearm for her job, Spanberger understands the training and qualification requirements needed to responsibly carry a firearm. She wants to see Congress pass measures that would ensure a consistent background check process.

Spanberger is concerned about the threats that election deniers are having on American democratic institutions. She is currently running against a far-right candidate who defended the January 6th insurrectionists and has, in past days, begun criticizing the FBI for corruption following their search of Mar-a-Lago.

Abigail Spanberger represents JAC’s values and we need her in the House. Donate here to keep her in Congress.

JAC DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTES TO CANDIDATES

SUPPORT JAC TODAY

Upcoming Events

SAVE THE DATES TO MEET JAC'S CANDIDATES

Tuesday, August 30

Senate Candidate Mandela Barnes (D-WI)

Lunch and private reception

Wilmette

RSVP

Monday, September 12

2022 Michigan JAC Member Brunch

11:00 am

Farmington Hills, MI

RSVP

Monday, September 19

Women's Health Care Zoom with Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL)

2:00 pm CT

Zoom

RSVP

DON'T FORGET...

Postcard writing every Wednesday afternoon at the JAC office.

Thanks to our great postcard leaders: Amy Zisook, Sharon Koltin, Beth Cherner, and our volunteers, together we have sent out over 10,000 postcards.

If you would like to host a postcard party at JAC or at your home, please contact the JAC office (847-433-5999).

Postcard Party

Wed, Aug, 31st

1:00 - 4:00 pm

JAC Office

call (847) 433-5999 for more info

Live outside of Chicago? Can't make it on Wednesdays?

Contact the JAC office at (847) 433-5999 and we will send you postcards.

Photos of the Week

(from top to bottom: JAC members meeting with Rep. and Senate candidate Tim Ryan (D-OH); JAC members meeting Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA); JAC volunteers writing postcards at the JAC office)

In the News

ISRAEL

Israel’s political parties face the decision of merging – or not – ahead of the September 15 deadline
The U.K. envoy to Syria, Jonathan Hargreaves, praised Israeli airstrikes in Syria as inspiration for new approaches in the West
The U.S. and Israel are working together swapping intelligence to enhance cybersecurity in both nations

ANTISEMITISM AND BDS

Far-right social media platform Gab faces criticism for antisemitism on the site
The Department of Education Office for Civil Rights found that a school district failed to protect a student facing antisemitic harassment
Dana Bash considers her reporting on modern antisemitism in CNN's hour-long special to be some of the most important work in her career

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CHOICE

OBGYNs are making themselves political obstacles to lawmakers trying to restrict abortion access
New abortion restrictions went into effect in ID, TN, TX, and ND this week
Walmart's employee health care plan will now cover abortion services in cases of health risks, rape, incest, or unviable pregnancies

RELIGION AND STATE

Churches may have some responsibility over the radicalization of abusive public officials
A TX federal judge cites the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in blocking HHS directions to provide emergency abortion services
Survivors and faith leaders in UT plan to rally to end legal exemptions for clergy and require them to report sexual abuse moving forward

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BEYOND THE CORE

Red and blue state lawmakers move to strengthen their voter laws -- for better or for worse -- before the midterms
Case studies show that education for women is essential in slowing the effects of climate change
The ATF is standing strong against ghost guns after the rule to stop the proliferation of the "untraceable" firearms went into effect

POLITICAL BYTE

Democratic campaigns in battleground districts are trying to hold off a red wave by using anger over abortion to mobilize blue voters
A FL judge, who denied a teen girl an abortion because of her grades, lost his bid for reelection
This week's primaries may give the Democratic party some optimism for the midterms

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FYI

A Yemeni political faction is working to restore a 160 year old Jewish cemetery in Yemen
A documentary sheds light on a little known tactic by Roman doctors to protect Jewish patients from the Nazis: the creation of a fake disease
More than 70 Jewish people have been killed and 400 injured in Ukraine since Russia invaded

THE LAST WORD

"We’re not looking behind us. Tonight, we come looking forward. It’s about holding America to its promise. The promise that every person regardless of who they are, the color of their skin, how much money they might have in the bank, their sexual orientation, sexual identity, or religion, will have an opportunity to succeed in a country that we say is the greatest country in the world."

Rep. Val Demings

in her victory speech after winning the Democratic nomination for Florida's U.S. Senate seat

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.