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On April 11, 2022, The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) convened 300+ Jewish professionals and civic lay leaders (virtually) at the #JCPA2022 National Conference, the theme of which was \u201cWhat Does It Mean to Be Free?\u201d<\/p>\n
This year, JCPA\u2019s annual conference took place on the cusp of Passover \u2013 perfect timing as we addressed today\u2019s social ills that have been exacerbated during COVID-19. JCPA2022 confronted today\u2019s plagues: antisemitism, racial disparities, voting restrictions and threats to our democracy, and mass incarceration.<\/p>\n
The Conference served as a Call to Action for the Jewish community, to systematically work for justice hand in hand with other diverse communities. We were all inspired by the presentation of the JCPA Albert D. Chernin Award to Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, and by our speakers and presenters including Stacey Abrams, Former, Georgia House Majority State Leader; Hon. Michael Herzog, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States; Lt. Col. Alexander Vinman Former Director for European Affairs, US NSC; Christine Todd Whitman, Co-Chair, States United for Democracy; Bianna Golodryga, CNN, Senior Global Affairs Analyst; Hon Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United States and more…<\/p>\n
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Lee Jason Goldberg and Susan Abravanel Stacey Abrams, Former Georgia House Minority Leader<\/em> Click here<\/a> to watch.<\/p>\n Recipient: Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer The Fight for Global Democracy<\/strong> Click here<\/a> to watch.<\/p>\n Keynote<\/strong> The Honorable Shaikh Bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of Bahrain to the U.S.<\/em><\/p>\n The Honorable George R. Salem, Chair, Partnership for Peace Fund (PPF) Advisory Board<\/em> and Kari Reid, U.S. Director, ALLMEP<\/em><\/p>\n Speakers: Rabbi Amy Eilberg, Rabbinical Assembly<\/em>; Rabbi Zev Eleff, Gratz College<\/em>; Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism<\/em>; Rabbi Mira Rivera, Romemu<\/em>. <\/em><\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to watch.<\/p>\n A post-movie conversation on how we as American Jews can work to end racism in our society. Click here<\/a> to watch.<\/p>\n The safety and success of Jews and other minorities is directly linked to the strength of our democratic institutions. After record-breaking voter turnout in 2020, state legislatures across the nation launched a systematic assault on the freedom to vote. As we prepare for the 2022 midterm elections, local organizing will be more important than ever to ensure that our elections remain fair, free, and accessible. Click here<\/a> to watch.<\/p>\n Rampant dis\/misinformation across social media platforms has radically altered our information landscape, polarizing, and dividing communities. These platforms are designed to elevate the most incendiary content and reinforce silos. How can the community relations field counter false information and hold these platforms accountable? Click here<\/a> to watch.<\/p>\n Political polarization and ideological extremism in our country is taking root at the state and local levels. The coordinated assault on school curricula, COVID-19 heath mandates, and local government proceedings through disruptive tactics and intimidation is eroding our social fabric. Extremists are successfully advancing their agenda through laws and policy at the state level. This panel will focus on what these trends mean for the Jewish community and our democracy and how to push back. Click here<\/a> to watch.<\/p>\n While community relations organizations are ambassadors of the Jewish community in the public square, they often do not represent the diversity of the multiracial Jewish community as a whole. With a commitment to be inclusive and welcoming, at all levels, how can we develop access points into Jewish leadership and diversified engagement strategies to open our doors for communal belonging and social change? Click here<\/a> to watch.<\/p>\n As violent crime rates are rising, hard-won criminal justice reforms are on the chopping block, with elected officials searching for a quick fix to allay growing public backlash. Reforms to some of the most inequitable aspects of the justice system, such as policing, sentencing, incarceration, and bail are facing roadblocks and rollbacks. In this climate, how can we, as advocates, address violence, disinformation and advance reforms that make our system\u2013and society\u2013more just, safe, and secure for all people? Click here<\/a> to watch.<\/p>\n
\nJCPA2022 Co-Chairs<\/em><\/p>\nPROGRAMS AND TOPICS INCLUDE:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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JCPA2022 Plenary Sessions<\/h1>\n
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What Does It Mean to be free?<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishpublicaffairs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Opening-Plenary.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDefending Democracy<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nChristine Todd Whitman, States United Democracy Center<\/em>
\nHon. Kristen Clarke, United States Assistant Attorney General<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishpublicaffairs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Plenary-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPresentation of JCPA Albert Chernin D. Chernin Award<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nIntroductions: Karen Dunn, Paul|Weiss;<\/em> Neal Katyal, Hogan Lovells;<\/em> Dahlia Litwick, Slate Magazine<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBianna Gologdryga, CNN Senior Global Analysis<\/em> and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishpublicaffairs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Closing-Plenary-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIsrael and the Middle East Plenary<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nThe Honorable Michael Herzog, Israeli Ambassador to the United States<\/em><\/p>\nAdvancing the Abraham Accords<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Building People to People Engagement<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Haggadot of Freedom<\/strong><\/h6>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishpublicaffairs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Talk-Back-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWho We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America Talk Back<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nSarah Kunstler, Producer\/Director;<\/em> Jeffery Robinson, Producer\/Writer.<\/em><\/p>\nJCPA202 WORKSHOP SESSIONS<\/h1>\n
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<\/p>\nVoting Rights in America: Ensuring Fair, Free and Accessible Elections<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nModerator: Aaron Dorfman, The Jewish Partnership for Democracy. Speakers: Charlie Bronner, MOVE Texas; Rachel Brown, Project Over Zero; Dominik Whitehead, NAACP; Elise Wirkus, Issue One.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishpublicaffairs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Disinformation-workshop.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCommunity Relations in the Age of Disinformation<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nModerator: Joel Rubin, Democracy Partners. Speakers: Vanessa Cardenas, America’s Voice; Nicole Gill, Accountable Tech.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishpublicaffairs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Extremism-Workshop.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Rise of Local Extremism<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nModerator: Diane Fisher, Silicon Valley JCRC. Speakers: Hon. Dan Frankel, Member, PA House of Representatives; Dr. Tarece Johnson, Board of Education, Gwinnett County Public Schools; Emily Kaufman, Anti-Defamation League; Shannon Saul, Community Mobilization Manager, Keshet; Hon. Andy Schwartz, Member, WY House of Representatives.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishpublicaffairs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Community-Relations-workshop.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBuilding a Multiracial Jewish Community Relations Field<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nModerator: Helen Kim, Whitman College. Speakers: Arya Marvazy, Jews of Color Initiative; Kai Yael Mishlove, Milwaukee JCRC; Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein, Jewish Federations of North America; Ashira Solomon, Detroit JCRC\/AJC.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishpublicaffairs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CJR-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCaught in the Crosshairs: Rising Crime and Criminal Justice Reform<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nModerator: Rabbi Hilly Haber, Central Synagogue.<\/em> Speakers: Thomas Abt, Council on Criminal Justice; Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, University of Missouri-St. Louis; Dr. Faye Taxman, JCPA Task Force on Criminal Justice Reform; Dr. Chico Tillman, University of Chicago.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jewishpublicaffairs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Israel-Workshop.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIsrael and the Apartheid Label<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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