Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)

As the community relations arm of the organized Jewish community, the JCPA represents 14 national agencies and 125 local communities. Under the JCPA’s umbrella, these organizations meet to shape consensus and inspire grassroots action around the globe on the most essential issues of interest to the Jewish community. The JCPA is committed to safeguarding the rights of Jews worldwide and promotes a just, democratic and pluralistic American society.

The JCPA provides consultation and guidance to communities engaged in the most important issues of the day: Israel advocacy, Iran, Darfur, energy and the environment, and poverty, among others. When the mainline Protestants discuss divestment, the JCPA and the UJC/Israel Advocacy Initiative (IAI) are there to develop a national strategy and assist communities in effectively combating divestment locally.

When the Palestine Solidarity Conference comes to a campus, the JCPA and IAI are there to assist the campus and the community in responding. The JCPA has been at the forefront, educating our community to the dangers of a nuclear Iran and encouraging local efforts to reach out to coalition partners to fight the Iranian threat. The JCPA leads the Save Darfur Coalition and is the primary driving force mobilizing the Jewish community to action. Through the JCPA’s Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, the JCPA spearheaded a campaign to raise environmental awareness, resulting in the installation of more than 50,000 energy-saving CFL light bulbs in Jewish homes and institutions around the country. Additionally, the JCPA has recently launched a year-long Confronting Poverty Initiative designed to re-engage communities in efforts to reduce poverty in both the Jewish and general communities.