THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA'S RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Jan. 28, 2010

President Obama proposed goals and policy reforms for Congress to consider and referred to a number of programs supported by the Jewish community in his State of the Union address.
 
Among the many topics President Obama addressed in his speech yesterday were the need to decrease the nation’s unemployment levels; provide additional support to social safety-net programs the nation's most vulnerable rely upon; enhance national security programs for non-profits, and continue efforts to prevent a nuclear Iran.
 
“Through our work with the elderly, sick, disabled and poor, countless Jewish Federation professionals and volunteers have seen first-hand the impact the current economic crisis has had on the nation’s most vulnerable,” said William C. Daroff, vice president for public policy and director of The Jewish Federations of North America’s Washington office.

“We applaud President Obama for laying out his vision to address the economic situation and help millions of Americans return to work and take care of their families. 

It is now up to Congressional leaders from both parties to put aside their political differences and find a common ground to similarly address the problems facing all Americans.  We look forward to continuing our advocacy on behalf of the Jewish Federations and serving as a vehicle to inspire action on issues important to the Jewish community.”
 
The Jewish Federations have relayed their concerns to the administration and Congress that the nation’s high unemployment levels are putting a disproportionate stress on the social safety-net programs that support the nation's most vulnerable.  Late last year, The Jewish Federations recommended the following reforms to Speaker of the House Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid for consideration during their efforts to draft a jobs creation bill:
 
• Increase funding for the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP);
• Provide access to federal recovery funds for non-profits;
• Restore the Social Services Block Grant program;
• Continue to provide tax incentives for charitable giving.
 
“Non-profits that provide assistance, food banks, soup kitchens and other resources are stretched to capacity -- hit by increased demand for their services while fewer of us are able to contribute funds to meet that demand,” said Daroff.  “We are pleased that the President is encouraging Congress to put its full weight behind nationwide job creation, but continue our call for the aid for those programs that support those most affected by the economic downturn.”
 
The Jewish Federations also applauded President Obama for his call for greater transparency throughout the appropriations process, including earmark reform to enable every American to view the earmarks their representatives in Washington are debating and judge the value of each request for themselves.  The Jewish Federation movement has supported efforts to increase funding for the innovative care of America's most vulnerable populations through its social service network.
 
Daroff said, “We are confident the American people will find that not all earmarks are bad, and see the fact that many support innovative and beneficial programs that serve a vital role.”
 
President Obama also reiterated his commitment to fully supporting efforts to prevent terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.  The Jewish Federations has led advocacy for funding to protect non-profits and religious institutions from terrorist attacks through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. 
 
“The Jewish community knows all too well about the threats to our homeland by those who seek to destroy our way of life -- from last year's plots to terrorize the Riverdale Synagogue and Jewish Community Center to this month's conviction of the deadly shooter at the Seattle Jewish Federation,” said Daroff.  “We appreciate that the President noted the substantial investments in our homeland security and disruption of plots that threatened to take American lives and we are hopeful that it will be included in the President's FY2011 budget, to be released next week.”
 
Finally, the Jewish Federations applaud President Obama’s rhetoric this evening on the Republic of Iran and his commitment to continue America’s long-standing policy of stopping Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons.  A nuclear Iran threatens the security and stability of the Middle East and Europe, and therefore the entire planet.
 
“The United States must continue to pursue policies that isolate Iran and encourage it to abandon its nuclear program," Daroff said.  "We look forward to watching the President's leadership as he leads the world in showing Iran the 'growing consequences' of continuing their march towards developing nuclear weapons.”