Meet a representative group of new Congressional members. While they have diverse backgrounds and perspectives, they share a common sense of urgency to make Congress work for the American people.

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Virtual Welcome to Washington
Jill Deutch, Co-Chair, Virtual Mission to Washington
Kevin Pailet, Co-Chair, Virtual Mission to Washington

Representative Kathy Manning (D-NC) meets with newly elected members of Congress:
Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA)
Representative Yvette Herrell (R-NM)
Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL)
Representative Marilyn Strickland (D-WA)
Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
Representative Beth Van Duyne (R-TX)
Introducer: Mark Wilf, Chair, JFNA Board of Trustees

Conversation on Jewish pathways to public service:
Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-MA)
Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA)
Introducer: Gary Jacobs, Chair, JCC Association of North America
Moderator: Shira Goodman, Chair, CJP of Greater Boston

For nearly 65 years, Cabinet has played a critical role in moving forward some of the Jewish community’s most significant public policy priorities. Underlying that success was Cabinet’s commitment to civic engagement and the building of long-term relationships with change-makers, including elected officials, community leaders, and social service advocates. In this exclusive conversation, prominent cabinet alumni including Rep. Kathy Manning (D-NC) and Fred Zeidman, former Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, will discuss how their Jewish involvement and values have shaped their own experiences.

This is an event for current Cabinet members and Cabinet alumni only. If you would like to attend, please contact Shauna Ruda.

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Join UJA-Federation of New York in a tour led by museum President and CEO R. Scott Stephenson, Ph.D.

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The first hundred days of any new Congress and Administration are about agenda setting and defining a policy vision. Hear from those driving the agenda – from pandemic relief to justice and inclusion – and get a sense of what will happen in the first hundred days and where they see opportunities for building consensus.

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David Golder, Chair Domestic Policy & Government Affairs, JFNA

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)
Introducer: Jennifer Steinberg, JCRC Chair, Jewish Federation of Delaware

Chair House Democratic Caucus Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
Moderator: Jill Deutch

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA)
Moderator: Kevin Pailet

Antisemitic attacks, domestic violent extremism, and online incitement have hit historical highs, and the federal government remains concerned that domestic violent extremists will continue to pose a lethal threat to faith-based communities, particularly the Jewish community. Together, we can build more allies in Congress to help ensure that our community has the resources it needs to protect against and respond to these horrific trends.

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Cedric Richmond, Senior Advisor to President Biden and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement
Moderator: David Golder

Senator Tim Scott (R-SC)
Introducer: Kevin Pailet

Senate Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Rob Portman (R-OH)
Moderator: Jason Wuliger, Jewish Federation of Cleveland

House Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
Moderator: Dennis Bernard, Trustee, JFNA

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Introducer: Jodi J. Schwartz, Vice Chair, JFNA

Through successive COVID-19 relief packages, Congress has provided a lifeline for Americans during this pandemic. Much more is urgently needed to care for those with the greatest health and long-term care needs, support Holocaust survivors and other vulnerable populations, and support the organizations that serve them.

Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Introducer: Beth Salaman, JCRC Chair, Jewish Community of Louisville

Representative Lee Zeldin (R-NY)
Introducer: Treasurer, JFNA Board of Trustees

A conversation with the Senate Bipartisan Taskforce for Combatting Anti-Semitism:
Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Co-Chair and Founder
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Co-Chair and Founder
Moderator: Ari Ackerman, Co-Chair National Young Leadership, JFNA

Immediate-past Chair Congressional Black Caucus Representative Karen Bass (D-CA)
Moderator: Lynn Bider, Vice Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles

Senate Aging Committee Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-ME)
Introducer: Sheryl Kimerling, Trustee, JFNA

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Introducer: Mayaan Zik, Founder, Kamochah

Advocacy
David Golder, Chair Domestic Policy & Government Affairs, JFNA

Participating actively in American democracy has been a core part of the American Jewish experience. How do American Jews today connect being Jewish and engaging civically? Join us in conversation about how American Jews today understand the connection between their Jewishness and their American citizenship and how they reflect on their responsibility to contribute to the vitality of American democracy.

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Joe Kanfer, Former Chair, JFNA

Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, Executive Director of the JCRC of St. Louis
Moderator: Danielle Minson, President, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

America has led efforts on the world stage to ensure Israel’s security and promote its acceptance in the community of nations. Hear from leaders who have helped promote Israel’s right to exist and ensure that American Jews’ right to identify as pro-Israel and Zionist remains sacrosanct.

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Israel Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations Gilad Erdan
Introducer: David J. Butler Chair Israel and Overseas, JFNA

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel B. Shapiro
Introducer: Jill Deutch

Moderated discussion with
House Foreign Affairs Chair Greg Meeks (D-NY)
House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Mike McCaul (R-TX)
Tamara Cofman Wittes, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings
Moderator: Karen Kasner, Founding Chair, Government Relations Committee, UJA-Federation of New York

Concluding Conversation
Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL)
Eric D. Fingerhut President & CEO, JFNA

Jewish charities, including Federations and social service, health care, education, and religious organizations, continue to struggle due to disruptions caused by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Faced with increased demand, higher operating costs to deliver safe and effective services, and uncertain revenue sources, Jewish charities have continued to help those depending on them for vital support. Since the beginning of the pandemic, JFNA has galvanized the entire community in advocating for critical government support. Read more.

Medicaid is an essential lifeline for the most vulnerable in our communities, a key mitigator of health disparities in underserved and low-income communities, and a major source of funding for vital health care and other services provided by our nonprofit partner agencies. Ensuring that Medicaid can serve the additional millions of Americans who will turn to the program for coverage and urgently needed care is a top priority of Jewish Federation partner agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, and family and children’s agencies. Read more.

A cornerstone of fostering a caring Jewish community, the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program remains a critical lifeline for the country’s remaining survivors, their families, and providers. The partnership between the federal government and Jewish philanthropic support has developed innovative care for Holocaust survivors and their family caregivers, and has shared best practices for all older adults aging with trauma. Read more.

Today’s threat environment provides a compelling case for government investment in protecting from attack the synagogues and churches, camps and schools, and other communal institutions vital to many Americans. The need to continue advocating for a strong Nonprofit Security Grant Program remains a top priority to support a flourishing Jewish community. Read more.

The FBI’s most recent Hate Crimes report confirmed that antisemitic incidents in 2019 again comprised the largest number of religious-based hate crimes in the U.S. To help address this scourge, JFNA works to improve federal law enforcement analysis of hate crimes, increase Holocaust education resources, adopt a definition of antisemitism to prevent discrimination, and elevate the State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. Read more.

U.S. Leadership for Israel’s Security: Keeping Jewish Life Strong and Supporting the U.S.-Israel Relationship For more than six decades, we have helped strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and the life of Israelis and Jews around the world. And our commitment continues—unwavering. We have built buildings and communities, engaged in ongoing dialogue with Israel’s leadership, and helped countless Jews and Israelis imagine a better future. We work tirelessly to deepen connections between the Jewish State and the global Jewish community. Read more.