August 6, 2021
Deborah Lipstadt speaking at JAC Conference
Deborah Lipstadt speaking to the JAC Conference in Washington, DC
Tiffany Haddish speaking at JAC's 2021 Power of Women Event with co-chairs Lori Friend, Jamie Sher, and Adam Sher.
What's On Our Mind ...

This week, we honor women making a difference.

Deborah Lipstadt
We welcome President Joe Biden's nomination of Deborah Lipstadt as U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. JAC was honored to have Deborah as our guest speaker at our Washington, DC Conference and on policy calls with JAC members. Each time we had the privilege to speak with Deborah, we became better informed. Deborah has dedicated her life to fighting antisemitism and debunking Holocaust falsehoods. She will bring urgency and passion to this important role.

Tiffany Haddish
Thanks to our generous sponsors and attendees from across the country, JAC’s virtual Power of Women event was a success. The event helped raise funds to support our candidates. Our guest speaker, Tiffany Haddish, made us laugh and cry. As Tiffany told us, “when you’re laughing, you’re healing. It’s a cleansing sound. Your soul is tickled.” During these difficult days, we were so grateful to laugh together. Tiffany’s personal story and her work to improve the lives of foster children inspire each of us to work harder to make a difference. A special thank you to this year's co-chairs - Lori Friend, Adam Sher, and Jamie Sher for working to make the event such a success.

Shontel Brown (OH-11)
In a major win, JAC-backed candidate Democrat Shontel Brown won the OH-11 primary Tuesday night. This gave JAC our first victory this cycle. JAC supported Shontel and helped virtually with her GOTV efforts. Her opponent would have undermined the US-Israel relationship and efforts to fight BDS. Shontel will also be a strong advocate on JAC’s other issues.

Thoughts from Jami Silverman, Outgoing Senior Fellow
This past spring and summer, it has been my honor to join JAC as an intern and become enmeshed in the wonderful, inspirational, diligent, and selfless community of JAC. As a recent college graduate, it is easy to feel discouraged from the world we are now a part of. Too often I have heard the question “what’s even the point?” JAC has reenergized me and showed me that there is hope for change and justice with political activism — even if reaching those victories takes time. I am grateful for the opportunities JAC offered me. I look forward to contributing to their mission for years to come.

Shontel Brown
JAC Senior Fellow Jami Silverman
Upcoming Events
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Instagram of the Week
August 4, 2021 Congratulations Shontel Brown and JAC!

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In the News
ISRAEL
Russia and China see eye-to-eye on an approach to end Israeli-Palestinian fighting. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and President Isaac Herzog offer help to Greece as wildfires rage across the Mediterranean. Israel launches airstrikes in Lebanon in response to Lebanese rockets.
ANTISEMITISM AND BDS
Researchers from the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that social media has become a 'safe space for racists' and antisemitism. Biden's envoy to combat antisemitism blasted Rep. Ilhan Omar for espousing hateful 'troupes.' In France, antisemitic propaganda floods the anti-vaccination movement.
CHOICE
In Congress, House Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced the Abortion Is Health Care Everywhere Act, which would permanently repeal the Helms Amendment. In the Court, if Roe v. Wade is overturned, the future will be worse than the past. Young people are taking the reins to protect abortion access. They view it as a racial, gender, and economic issue.
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RELIGION AND STATE
'Do not give religious exemptions for Covid vaccines,' New York archdiocese tells its priests. Religious organizations play an outsized role in U.S. policy toward refugees and asylum seekers. A U.S. bill includes $50 million for energy efficiency at religious institutions. Congress already allocates $180 million in nonprofit security grants to religious institutions.

BEYOND THE CORE
Mexico is suing U.S.-based gunmakers over the flow of arms across the border. In the Infrastructure Bill, both parties have acknowledged that climate change is a crisis for the first time. Despite the Supreme Court's conservative makeup, it has lost Republicans' favor.  GOP voters are frustrated that the court hasn’t shifted to the right as much as they would like.

POLITICAL BYTE
Police officers become candidates as the policing debate rages. As violence rises in cities nationwide, the outcome of these elections could send a strong signal about evolving attitudes on policing and crime in America. In a milestone for labor, Democratic National Committee staff will join a union. Democrats should rethink focusing on other Republican figures because Trump remains the key to 2022.
FYI
Former Obama White House Jewish liaison Chanan Weissman is reappointed to the role under Biden. For those returning to sporting venues, there is now a guide to Kosher food at every Major League Baseball stadium. The Met's exhibit on early twentieth-century photographers features several Jewish women.
The Last Word
"All of the faith-based leaders and community who stood solidly with me before any of the attention came to this race, I thank you."

- Shontel Brown, winner of Ohio-11 special election
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.