ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

Suzanne Denbo Jaffe, Chair

The New York Chapter serves a vital role in reaching out to city, state and federal officials and communicating the priorities and concerns of the Jewish community.  In the spirit of national AJC’s dedication to coalition building, as well as New York’s extraordinary ethnic and religious diversity, the New York Chapter also works collaboratively with other leaders and organizations in support of public policies that are of concern to both the Jewish community and other communities whose future we share.

Energy Task Force, Denise Schreiber, Chair
AJC has identifed energy policy as a key concern for the 2007-2008 program year, with the goal of reducing both our dependence on foreign oil and the threat of global climate change.  The Energy Task Force works to advocate for policy changes at the city, state and federal levels and to raise awareness about conservation and energy efficiency.

Fluorescent lighting, water conservation, and "green" options from your energy supplier are a few ways to reduce consumption. Use these tips to decrease your own energy usage.

City Advocacy Task Force, Philippe Radley, Chair
Chapter staff and lay leaders build relationships with City Council members, administration officials and law enforcement officials to advance AJC's agenda as well as the complementary agendas for our intergroup partners.  We work both independently and in coalitions on issues including:

• Civil Rights
• Education
• Discrimination
• Hate Crimes
• Religious Freedom
• Services for Immigrants

On Friday, April 13, Dr. Diane Steinman testified before the Immigration Committee of the New York City Council in support of the STRIVE Act and Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  Click here to read her testimony.

State Advocacy Task Force, Norman Stein, Chair

Chapter staff and lay leaders builds relationships with State legislators and other government officials to advance AJC's agenda as well as the complementary agendas for our intergroup partners.

The three New York State Chapters, New York City, Long Island and Westchester, are the lead members of the Coalition to Reform the State Division of Human Rights.  After years of lobbying for legislative changes that would turn around this failing agency, the Coalition is now working with the new Spitzer-appointed Commissioner to ensure that New Yorkers facing all forms of discrimination have their grievances resolved in a timely and just manner.  

Federal Advocacy Task Force, Martin Gold, Chair

Chapter staff and lay leaders meet with members of New York's congressional delegation to learn their positions on issues important to the Jewish community and request their support on legislation. 

Issues on our agenda for the 110th Congress include:

• Comprehensive Immigration Reform
• Energy Reform
• Darfur
• Israel
• Iran
• Support for Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, a Bangladeshi journalist charged with sedition for speaking out against radical Islam