Jcpa Board Manual

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JCPA BOARD MANUAL

JCPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS BINDER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Organizational Documents

What is JCPA? ...... 3

JCPA Brief History ...... 4

JCPA Identity Statement ...... 6

JCPA Bylaws ...... 7

JCPA Current Committees ...... 22

JCPA Public Policy Overview- 2017 ...... 25

Calendars

List of Upcoming Events ...... 27

2016-2017 JCPA Office Calendar ...... 28

2016 -2017 Jewish Holidays ...... 29

Resources

Board of Directors Directory ...... 31

Staff List ...... 48

Board of Directors Expectations ...... 49

Organizational Chart ...... 51

Conflict of Interest Policy ...... 52

Jewish Community Relations And Jewish History: A Tradition From Biblical Times To The Present- By Rabbi Doug Kahn 1

Documents

What is the Jewish Council for Public Affairs?

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)’s network of national and local organizations gives it broad reach and the ability to mobilize the American Jewish community quickly and effectively. At the foundation of the JCPA’s activities is the belief in community relations – that the American Jewish community is best equipped to promote its own interests when it engages with other groups and communities to address shared concerns. Relationships between the Jewish community and other religious, ethnic, and civic groups are key to the American Jewish community’s security and to the advancement of its interests. The JCPA also engages its membership to develop consensus on the issues of the day. Working with both national and local member agencies, the JCPA is able to find areas of consensus and develop effective strategies. Key to this work is the JCPA’s provision of services to its local member agencies, assisting them in their work “on the ground.”

The mission of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs is to lead, support, shape, coordinate and represent the Jewish community relations movement in order to advance the interests of the Jewish people, support Israel’s quest for peace and security, and promote a just American society and world.

We employ three principal strategies:

• To support, shape, and coordinate the Jewish community relations field; • To establish and foster relationships at the national level with public officials and religious, ethnic, cultural, and civil society organizations; • To convene and build consensus among member organizations on issues of common concern

JEWISH COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS An Brief History

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) was formally established as the National Community Relations Advisory Council (NCRAC) in 1944 by the Council of Jewish Federations (a precursor of today’s Jewish Federations of North America). Originally designed to be a coordinating body and the public affairs branch of the organized Jewish community, NCRAC later become the National Jewish Community Relations Council (NJCRAC), and in 1997 became the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

The JCPA has grown from its original founding members - 4 national organizations and 14 communities - to an umbrella of 16 national Jewish organizations and 125 local Jewish Community Relations Councils/Federations.

For more than 70 years, the JCPA has led the Jewish community on a variety of important issues and been at the forefront of some of the most important social movements in America. In its earliest days, NCRAC fought against racial and religious intolerance and employment discrimination and for fair election practices. NCRAC addressed religious education in schools and incidents of anti-Semitism, and as early 1947 released strong statements on the civil rights of all groups and individuals.

In the fifties, NCRAC addressed discrimination in housing and educational institutions, segregation, and the Israeli-Arab conflict, including the Arab boycott of Israel. NCRAC was also concerned with communism, but strongly supported the civil liberties of individuals and opposed discrimination based on political beliefs. NCRAC’s Arnold Aronson co-founded, with A. Philip Randolph and the NAACP’s Roy Wilkins, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (now the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights) and served as president of The Leadership Conference Education Fund until 1998.

Beginning in 1960, NCRAC turned its attention to the plight of Jews in the Soviet Union and was leading American Jewish community efforts by the end of the decade. Issues such as civil rights, immigration, church-state separation, interfaith relations, education, discrimination in housing and employment, and Israel remained high on its priority list. Poverty in America also joined NCRAC’s agenda, and in 1964 NCRAC accepted an invitation to join the National Crusade Against Poverty.

In the 1970s, the newly-named National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC) continued to weigh in on the aforementioned topics as well as addressing Catholic- Jewish relations, the Vietnam War, affirmative action, international terrorism, and the emergence of Jews for Jesus. Economic and social justice continued to be a high priority, as did Soviet

Jewry, the Yom Kippur War and its after-effects, anti-Semitism in the U.S., and the Arab boycott.

The decade of the 1980s opened with challenges in the Middle East, including Israel’s bombing of Iraq’s nuclear reactor, Saudi arms sales, and the 1982 Lebanon War. Advocacy for Soviet Jewry took center stage, in preparation for the Reagan-Gorbachev Summit of November 1985. Issues such as welfare reform, nominations to the Federal judiciary, race relations, interfaith relations, church-state separation, family planning and reproductive choice, economic equality for women, and Hispanic-Jewish relations, among others, all found their way to the NJCRAC agenda. NJCRAC also began to explore the AIDS crisis. In the fall of 1987, planning began for the historic December 6, 1987 mobilization for Soviet Jews, for which NJCRAC was front and center.

The nineties began with a NJCRAC call for support of foreign aid to Israel and, specifically, loan guarantees for Soviet Jewish resettlement in Israel. In 1990, NJCRAC also advocated strongly for the repeal of the U.N.’s “Zionism is Racism” resolution. With the Oslo Accords of 1993, the peace process took center stage on the NJCRAC agenda. NJCRAC added campus concerns to its agenda as well. 1993 saw the creation of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), a program still housed at the JCPA. On the domestic agenda were issues such as family and medical leave, civil rights, reproductive rights, housing, gun control, immigration, church-state separation, race relations, and hate crimes.

Although NJCRAC changed its name in 1997 to The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), the agenda in the early 21st century remains true to its core values. At the top of its agenda are civil rights for all Americans, inclusion for Americans with disabilities, fair pay, gun violence, the environment, public education, poverty, immigration, and other key issues. On the international front, JCPA remains engaged with the U.S.-Israel relationship, the peace process, anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, preventing genocide and ending human trafficking.

The JCPA continually adapts its agenda to the most important issues of the day. Post-9/11, Muslim-Jewish relations have risen on the agenda, and with the appearance of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, Israel advocacy tops the priority list. In addition, in a highly polarized American society, the JCPA has introduced a campaign to promote civil discourse, with resources and programs available for communities to engage.

As we look to the future, JCPA is working on the most pressing issues of today. Task Forces include Criminal Justice reform and Race Relations, Israel and the Two State Solution, Muslim- Jewish Relations, Invigorating the Community Relations Field, and more. JCPA Identity Statement Identity questions Identity statements We implement our  Supporting, shaping, coordinating and representing the Jewish community mission of relations movement And seek  To advance the interests of the Jewish people and Israel and  To promote a pluralistic and just American society and world

By serving  JCRCs and local Jewish communities across the country  National, multi‐issue Jewish organizations engaged in public policy In  The US Through  Resourcing, coordinating and strengthening Jewish community relations councils  Establishing and fostering relationships at the national level with public officials and religious, ethnic, cultural, and civil society organizations  Convening and building consensus among member organizations on issues of concern

By emphasizing  Our ability to mobilize the energies of 125 JCRCs across the country  Our mandtdate to coordina tenationa l multip le‐issue organiitizations

BY LAWS

Jewish Council for Public Affairs ♦ 116 East 27th Street ♦ New York, NY 10016 (212) 684-6950 ♦ Fax: (212) 686-1353 ♦ www.jewishpublicaffairs.org

October 28, 2013

JEWISH COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of the corporation shall be the Jewish Council for Public Affairs1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Council").

ARTICLE II

Purposes and Mission

Section 1.

The mission of the Council is to serve as the representative voice of the organized American Jewish community in addressing the principal mandate of the Jewish community relations field, expressed in three interrelated goals: a. To safeguard the human rights of the Jewish people and others, here and throughout the world;

b. To dedicate ourselves to the safety and security of the state of Israel;

c. To protect, preserve and promote a just American society, one that is democratic and pluralistic, one that furthers harmonious interreligious, inter-ethnic interracial and other intergroup relations.

These goals are informed by Jewish values. History teaches us that Jewish security is linked inexorably to the strength of democratic institutions. Thus the Jewish community has a direct stake and an ethical imperative to assure that America remains a country wedded to the Bill of Rights and committed to the rule of law, a nation whose institutions continue to function as a public trust.

1 A Not-for-Profit corporation of the State of New York. 2

Section 2.

A Purpose of the Council is to provide a common table, through an open, representative, inclusive and consensus-driven process around which the agencies meet to identify issues, articulate positions, develop strategies, programs and approaches designed to advance the public affairs goals and objectives of the organized Jewish community. The Council provides the process by which agency views, national and local, are communicated toward reaching a national consensus and by which that consensus is disseminated for action. The member agencies of the Council are autonomous. They determine and implement their own agencies' positions, policies and programs. The Council's member agencies come together in the spirit of cooperation and voluntarism, for the common cause of the organized Jewish community as expressed in the Council's mission.

Section 3.

The Council's work is in the context of the profound Jewish commitment to tikkun olam, the repair of the world. It expresses the conviction of the organized Jewish community that it must be active in the effort to build a just society. The Council's responsibility is to enhance the capacity of member agencies to pursue effectively the public affairs agenda for the organized Jewish community.

Section 4.

In order to utilize available resources most effectively, it will prove desirable from time to time that particular tasks, jointly agreed upon as necessary, be undertaken by one or more specifically designated member agencies. As a matter of cooperation and in good faith, every agency is encouraged to seek the collective judgment of the entire family of agencies in regard to any Plan or project which might benefit from mutual scrutiny or profit from joint participation and execution. It is understood that agencies may proceed independently with a statement or project that is in line with a previously agreed upon joint policy or that reflects a previously known policy or approach of the agency making the statement or undertaking the project. However, any member agency which contemplates a major departure in strategy or approach is encouraged to consult through the Council before taking such contemplated action.

3 ARTICLE III

Membership

Section 1.

Member Agencies

The constituents of the Council are national organizations and local community relations and public affairs councils or committees. Such national and local entities become constituents of the Council subject to the terms of these Bylaws. Constituents are designated as national member agencies, community member agencies, or national professional association members.

Section 2.

National Agencies.

National member agencies shall be admitted to membership by vote of the Board of Directors or the Plenary Session. Applications for membership are evaluated by a membership committee, which reports its recommendations to the Board of Directors or the Plenary Session, where final action is taken by majority vote. The membership committee shall consider the applications based upon guidelines approved by the Board of Directors or Plenary Session. All national member agencies of the Council as of the date of the adoption of these Bylaws remain national member agencies subject to the terms of these Bylaws.

Section 3.

National professional association members are organizations composed of individuals who serve in a professional capacity within the organized American Jewish community. Applications for membership are evaluated by the membership committee, which reports its recommendations to the Board of Directors or the Plenary Session, where final action is taken by majority vote. The membership committee shall consider the applications based upon guidelines approved by the Board of Directors or Plenary Session.

Section 4.

Community Relations and Public Affairs Councils and Committees.

A local public affairs or community relations council or committee, to be eligible for membership, must be representative of the community served, must conduct an ongoing community relations program and must have a full or part time paid executive responsible to the local council or committee. Applications for membership are evaluated by a membership committee, which reports its recommendations to the Board of Directors or the Plenary Session, where final action is taken by majority vote. The membership committee shall consider the applications based upon guidelines approved by the Board of Directors or Plenary Session. All local public affairs or community relations councils or committees which are member agencies of the Council as of the date of the adoption of these Bylaws remain as such agencies subject to the terms of these Bylaws.

Section 5.

Federation.

The Jewish federations of North America share a commitment to the survival and enhancement of Jewish life. They also share that commitment with the national and local member agencies of the Council. The federations also share the public affairs goals and commitments of the national and local member agencies of the Council. The Jewish Federations of North American (“JFNA”) or its successor, as the convenor of the national federation system, represents the diversity within the federation system and will designate individuals from the federation system to serve within the governing bodies of the Council.

Section 6.

Good Standing.

A member of the Council may be determined as not in good standing, as a result of the failure of the member to abide by its obligations as provided in these Bylaws and in accordance with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors or Plenum. The determination that a member is not in good standing shall be made by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Board of Directors present at a meeting designated for such purpose, or by a majority vote of the Plenary Session; notice of such proposed action shall be given at least ten days in advance of the meeting or Plenum. A member not in good standing shall not be entitled to participate in voting or other processes of the Council, as determined by the Board of Directors or Plenum.

ARTICLE IV

Plenum

Section 1.

The Plenum is the highest governing body of the Council and meets at least annually in Plenary Session. This body elects the officers and directors of the Council, adopts policies, formulates programs and develops an annual agenda for the field.

5 Section 2.

Voting.

All votes at the Plenary Session are based upon the member agencies' allocated votes. Each member agency may determine how to exercise the agency's votes. The federation system receives 23 votes, to be exercised by the JFNA designated representatives to the Board of Directors. Each national member agency as of January 1, 2002, shall receive 23 votes. Each national member agency admitted after January 1, 2002, shall receive that number of votes, not more than 23, as determined by vote of the Board of Directors or the Plenary Session as part of the resolution of admission to membership of such national member agency. Each national professional association member agency shall receive 12 votes. Each community relations council or committee receives votes as determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Jewish population of the community as determined by the records of the JFNA or its successor, in accordance with the following schedule:

Community Population Ranges Number of Votes Fewer than 5,000 2 5,000 - 14,999 4 15,000 - 24,999 6 25,000 - 39,999 8 40,000 - 74,999 10 75,000 - 99,999 12 100,000 - 124,999 14 125,000 – 149,999 16 150,000 – 199,999 18 200,000 - 249,999 20 250,000 - 299,999 22 300,000 - 399,999 24 400,000 - 499,999 26 500,000 - 599,999 28 600,000 - 699,999 30 700,000 - 799,999 32 800,000 - 899,999 34 900,000 - 999,999 36 More than 1 million 38

6 ARTICLE V

Board of Directors

Section 1.

The Board of Directors serves as the highest governing body of the Council in the interim between Plenary Sessions and is elected by the Plenum.

Section 2.

The Board of Directors is composed of: a. two representatives designated by each of the national member agencies and the national professional member agencies, and five members designated by the JFNA or its successor, upon consultation with the Council, to represent the diversity within the federation system in terms of geography and community size; JFNA and National Agency representatives may be appointed and removed at any time by the appointing agency for a term which continues to the next Plenum and until their successor is appointed. b. a number of community representatives equaling 25 percent of the number of community member agencies. The community members of the Board. of Directors will, as a body, reflect geographic, population, and gender balance. c. A number of at-large members equaling 10%, but no fewer than 10, of the total number of other voting members of the Board of Directors. d. The officers, including past chairs of the Council, are ex-officio voting members of the Board of Directors. e. The chairs of the CRC Directors Association and the Association of Jewish Community Relations Workers are ex-officio voting members of the Board of Directors. f. The chairs and vice chairs of task forces, commissions and committees also serve as ex-officio nonvoting members of the Board of Directors. g. The chair of the Council may appoint three persons to serve as voting members on the Board of Directors irrespective of their prior service in the Council's member agencies or the Board of Directors of the Council.

Section 3.

Elections - Nominations. a. A nominating committee appointed by the chair of the Council shall consist of one federation system representative and a proportionate number of national agency and community relations agency representatives equal to their proportionate membership on the Board of Directors. National agency representatives to the nominating committee shall not vote on the nomination of community representatives to the Board of Directors. The community member representatives shall be nominated by their respective communities and shall be accountable to those communities, in such fashion as may be determined by the community. b. The at-large members shall be nominated by members of the nomination committee or the JCPA chair. 7 c. Nominees for community representatives and at-large members shall be elected by a majority vote of the Plenum. Vacancies in the position of community representatives or at-large members, may be filled by the Board of Directors, by a majority vote, between Plenary Sessions.

Section 4.

Each member of the Board of Directors has one vote, with community member representatives coming together subsequent to the exercise of a religious exception as described in Article IX, Section 7. All member agencies of the Council may require such degree of consultation by community member representatives to the Board of Directors as the member agencies may wish.

Section 5.

Eligibility.

Criteria for selection to the Board of Directors may be established by the Board of Directors or Plenary Session and provided for the nominating committee. Community representative and at- large members of the Board of Directors are elected for up to four one year terms.

Section 6.

At the discretion of the Chair of a meeting of the Board or any of its committees or subcommittees, members may participate by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment where such device allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time.

ARTICLE VI

Officers and Executive Committee

Section 1.

The Council's officers shall consist of a Chair, ten Vice Chairs, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and the chief executive officer. The Chair is the chief presiding officer of the Council; the Chair is the presiding officer of the Plenum, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee. The chief executive officer of the Council serves at the pleasure of and with a title designated by the Executive Committee and implements the Council's policies with the advice of the Executive Committee. The remaining officers shall have such duties as are prescribed for them by the chair, with the advice of the Executive Committee. During the first year of the term of the Chair, the nominating committee may select a First Vice Chair who shall start serving at the beginning of the second year of the Chair’s term with responsibilities designated by the Chair. The First Vice Chair shall be a voting member of the Executive Committee only if that individual concurrently serves in a voting position. Otherwise the First Vice Chair shall be a non-voting member. The selection of a First Vice Chair shall not affect the number or status of the other sitting officers. The First Vice Chair may serve concurrently as another officer. 8

Section 2.

Elections and Nominations.

The chair of JCPA shall be elected for one two-year term. Vice chairs and the secretary and treasurer may be elected for two consecutive two-year terms. The nomination of chair, vice chairs, secretary and treasurer shall be presented to the Plenary Session by the nominating committee, with its recommendations from the submittals made to the nominating committee by the Council's member agencies or members of the nominating committee itself. Guidelines for the nomination of officers may be adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors or Plenary Session.

Section 3.

Executive Committee.

The officers shall be members of the Executive Committee. All past chairs of the Council also shall serve on the Executive Committee. The chair may appoint two additional persons to the Executive Committee. The chair, vice-chairs, treasurer, secretary, chair’s appointees, and the three immediate past chairs shall serve as voting members of the Executive Committee. All other members of the Executive Committee shall be non-voting members.

Section 4.

The Executive Committee may act for the Board of Directors between meetings of the Board of Directors

Section 5.

At the discretion of the Chair of a meeting of the Executive Committee or any of its committees or subcommittees, members may participate by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment where such device allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time.

Section 6.

Vacancies

In the event that the position of any officer, other than the chief executive officer, shall become vacant for any reason, the Executive Committee may select a successor who shall serve until the next Plenary, at which time an election will be held to fill the remainder of the term, if any. In the event the position of chief executive officer shall become vacant for any reason, the Executive Committee shall appoint an acting chief executive officer to serve until a replacement can be selected.

9 ARTICLE VII

Indemnification

Section 1.

The Council shall indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Council) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, committee member, trustee, employee, representative or agent of the Council, or who is or was serving at the request of the Council as a director, officer, committee member, trustee, employee, representative or agent of another council, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amount paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and appeal therefrom, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Council, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, provided that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to the Council, unless, and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court shall deem proper.

Section 2.

Any indemnification under this Article (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Council only as authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, committee member, trustee, employee, representative or agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 . Such determination shall be made by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or if such a quorum is not obtainable, or even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by legal counsel regularly retained by the Council (whether or not such counsel is a member or director of the Council), or if such counsel fails or refuses to do so, by independent legal counsel, whether or not such counsel is a member or director of the Council.

Section 3

Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Council in advance of the final disposition of such action, or proceeding, and appeal therefrom, as authorized by the Board of Directors in the specific case, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, committee member, trustee, employee or agent to repay such amount, unless it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is entitled to be indemnified by the Council as authorized in this Article.

10 Section 4.

The indemnification provided by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any agreement, vote of members or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, committee member, trustee, employee, representative or agent and shall- inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

Section 5.

The Council may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, committee member, trustee, employee, representative or agent of the Council or who is or was serving at the request of the Council as a director, officer, committee member, trustee, employee, representative or agent of another council, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Council would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article.

Section 6.

If the Council has paid indemnity or has advanced expenses under this Article to a director, officer, committee member, trustee, employee, representative or agent, the Council shall report the indemnification or advance in writing to the Board of Directors with or before the notice of the next meeting of the Board.

Section 7.

It is the intention of the Council, as expressed in this Article, to indemnify the parties described herein to the fall extent allowed by New York law as it now or hereafter exists. If any provision of this Article is found by a court to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be construed and reformulated by the court in such a way as to make the Article valid and enforceable to the maximum extent possible. Any invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Article shall attach only to such provision and shall not affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other provisions of this Article, these Bylaws, or any other agreement or instrument.

ARTICLE VIII

Task Forces and Committees

Section 1.

The essential processes of the Council are carried forward through the work' of standing task forces and committees, ad hoc committees, and continuing commissions. The task forces evaluate subject areas of concern and alert the Council to changing conditions and their

11 implications for programming; the task forces develop recommendations for the member agencies or for consideration by the Board of Directors or Plenary Session.

Section 2.

Each task force, commission or standing committee. includes representation on a proportionate basis from each national or community relations member agency equal to the proportionate representation of such agencies on the Board of Directors, unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws.

Section 3.

At large members may serve on task forces, committees or commissions, as determined by the chair of the Council. All members of the Council will be afforded the opportunity to designate members of the task forces, commissions and standing committees, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors. Ad hoc committees may be appointed by the chair as needed, or as designated by the Board of Directors; the membership of ad hoc committees will reflect the broader membership of the Council.

ARTICLE IX

Policy and Program Formulation, Implementation and Publication

Section 1.

Public Affairs Policy- Formulation.

Agreement is sought both as to issues on which it is deemed desirable for the Jewish community relations agencies to take positions and on the best positions to be taken for such issues.

Section 2.

Policy Development and Coordination

Agreement is sought on: identifying current issues, problems and opportunities relating to the mission and objectives of the Council; shaping strategies and programs to further those objectives; determining priorities; and identifying those resources deemed to be most effective in meeting those objectives and priorities.

The Board of Directors shall adopt a Process for the Adoption of Policy which sets forth the procedures and guidelines for the development of resolutions.

Section 3.

Reassessment and Evaluation.

In the light of changing conditions, a process for systematic reexamination focuses on: 12 a. Assumptions on which prior approaches and programs have been based. b. New developments in the areas and relevant findings. c. How well prior methods and approaches have been used, how well they are working now and what better methods and approaches might be tried.

Section 4.

Community Consultation.

Community consultation focuses on the organization of local community relations structures and the development of their programs. Community consultation also provides for orientation and training of community relations professionals and lay leaders and the development of local community relations participation in policy and program formulation and recommendations. Local agency consultation also addresses resources and functional services available from cooperating member agencies of the Council.

Section 5.

Information Service.

A continual exchange of information among cooperating agencies channels appropriate interpretations and materials throughout the Jewish community.

Section 6.

Personnel Service.

The Council office maintains an information exchange regarding employment opportunities in the professional community relations field. Individuals considering entering the field are provided information and counsel.

Section 7.

Consensus and Dissent.

In the determination of policy the Council continues to be guided by the principle of broad based, constituency driven consensus. Council determinations, decisions and public statements are not binding on individual member agencies, and, correlatively, no member agency can block a public action or statement by the Council. In the interest of diversity of views, public dissents by member agencies are permitted and noted, as are abstentions or other means to record that an agency does not participate in a particular discussion or decision. Moreover, on a matter that any of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Union for Reform Judaism or the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, or their successors, chooses to define as an issue of religious conviction, that body can require that the proposed statement or action not be taken in the name of the Council. The 13 community members of the Board of Directors then will determine whether to proceed with the statement or action in the name of an "ad hoc community caucus." Should a decision be made by community members to go forward subsequent to the exercise of the "religious exception" described in this Article IX, Section 7, the letterhead to be used for the "ad hoc community caucus" will not be confused with the Council's letterhead, and a new letterhead will be used by the ad hoc community caucus with respect to each such issue. Only local member agencies, national member agencies or national professional association member agencies that explicitly request to be listed on this occasion will be printed on the stationery with such letterhead. Neither the name of the Council nor the names of the Council’s national member agencies or national professional association member agencies will be used in disseminating or publicizing statements or actions of the ad hoc community caucus unless the agencies explicitly have requested that their names be included. New strategies and tools for recognizing and respecting diversity shall be developed to assure that both public affairs effectiveness and community cohesion are maintained.

ARTICLE X

Amendments

Section 1.

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the Directors present, provided that notice of each proposed amendment shall be provided to the Directors at least ten days before the date of such meeting. These Bylaws may be amended at any Plenary Session by a majority vote, provided that notice of each proposed amendment shall be mailed to all member agencies at least ten days before the Plenary Session.

Section 2.

No Amendment may be made to Article 111, Section 4, without the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI

Miscellaneous

A. Quorum

Section 1.

A quorum for the Board of Directors shall consist of 36 voting members of the Board of Directors.

14 Section 2.

A quorum for the Plenum shall consist of 180 represented votes.

B. Rules of Order

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, newly revised, shall govern the Council in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws or not subject to rules of order which otherwise may be adopted by the Council.

C. Communication

Where permitted by law, notices from the JCPA, including but not limited to meeting announcements and proposed amendments to these bylaws, may be made by reliable means other than postal mail such as facsimile device and e-mail communication.

D. Subject to New York Law

These Bylaws are subject to the laws of the State of New York and shall be binding except to the extent that they may be contrary to such laws.

Adopted JCPA Plenum - Fort Lauderdale, FL February 1998

Amended JCPA Plenum - Washington, DC, February 2002 JCPA Board – Chicago, IL, June 2002 JCPA Plenum – Baltimore, February 2003 JCPA Board – New York, October 2004 JCPA Plenum – Washington, DC 2005 JCPA Board – New York, October 2008 JCPA Board – New York, June 2009 JCPA Board – New York, October 2010 JCPA Board - New York, October 2013 JCPA Board - Chicago, June 2015

COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES 2016-2017

JCPA will be implementing its work through both on-going standing Committees and shorter term Task Forces. These bodies will be chaired by JCPA board members and will be a place for active involvement by JCPA leadership, National Agencies, JCRCs, and select experts in the field. They will focus on four general areas: Policy and Program priorities, Leadership & Engagement, Governance, and Fiduciary responsibility.

 Standing Committees ‐ JCPA Standing Committees address ongoing issues, such as public policy, finance and development. The Chairs of these Committees will serve a three year term.

 Task Forces ‐ Each Task Force will have a different life cycle depending on its mission and the time frame of meeting its intended goal. The need for the Task Force will be reviewed at every Board meeting and should comport with JCPA's policy priorities at any given time. The Chair(s) will be in their position for the term of the Task Force but no longer than three years.

Policy and Program Priorities

Public Policy Advisory Committee (Standing Committee)

The Committee will provide overall guidance on policy, identify emerging issues, and formulate responses rapidly to current events at the Federal and State levels. It will oversee JCPAs policy team and aim to be a resource to the network to keep stakeholders updated and educated on current and emerging issues and action opportunities. It will make recommendations to the board for the need for new Task Forces and areas of engagement. It will also oversee a Washington DC Task Force made up of the Washington JCRC lay leaders.

Race Relations (or Racial Equality) and Criminal Justice Reform Task Force

The Task Force will develop JCPA's education and advocacy strategy, and monitor its implementation on re-engaging the Jewish community into the new civil rights frontier with a focus on action on criminal justice reform at the Federal and state levels. This work will include building and strengthening relationships with established and younger African American and Latino influentials, working on legislation and other important areas of involvement, and engaging and educating the Jewish community.

Israel/Two State Solution Task Force

The Task Force will focus on leading/assisting the field on advocating for a nuanced approach to Israel. As there is more polarization at the local level on Israel, JCPA will help the JCRC Network provide open tables for differing opinions on Israel while at the same time serving as strong advocates for Israel and support for the two-state solution. This year there will be a specific focus on the 50th Anniversary of the Six-day war, which has potential to be used by anti-Israel players as a time to delegitimize Israel.

Muslim-Jewish Engagement Task Force

The Task Force will develop strategy for, among other things, Track 2 engagement with Muslim leaders from around the country. The Task Force focus will begin engaging leaders at the national level.

Leadership & Engagement

CRC Association (Standing Committee)

The CRC Association connects the JCRC network with the national JCPA to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the field and working together in the most positive, effective and collaborative manner in helping to strengthen in national and local efforts. It will also oversee the resolutions process.

Strengthening Community Relations Task Force

This Task Force will lead advocacy efforts within the Federation system in support of the community relations field. Over the past 10 years, many JCRCs have seen a reduction in staff, resources, and internal support from their Federations. However, given the challenges we see in the American political system, tearing of the American social fabric, and growing anti-Israelism, community relations work has never been more important. This Task Force will work to advance understanding of this agenda within the Federation world.

Emerging Leadership Task Force

This Task Force will focus on engaging young and emerging leaders in the JCRCs and JCPA. It will oversee the Frank Family Leadership Institute to ensure it is a state of the art program and oversee effective integration of the Frank Fellows into JCPA and their local JCRCs. It will also create and provide other options for engagement for the younger generation, including millenials.

Israel Mission Task Force

The Task Force will help to organize the JCPA Leadership Mission and ensure that its agenda is based on leading the JCRC Network in its advocacy to be nuanced in their approach to Israel.

JCPA2017 Task Force

The Task Force is responsible for all elements of organizing, recruiting, fundraising, and promotion of the JCPA annual conference. It will work to ensure a smooth resolutions/Plenum process. It will also work with leaders who are asked to work on the Conference award recipient and the Chernin awards process.

Governance

Board of Directors and Executive Committees (Standing Committees)

Presidents Advisory Committee (Standing Committee)

JCPA is creating a new Standing Committee to provide an opportunity for past presidents to give input to the Chair and President and have appropriate level conversations based on their leadership experience within the organization. The Advisory Committee will meet twice annually.

Governance Task Force

This Task Force will review JCPA's current governance structure and provide recommendations for the organization to be run as efficiently and effectively as possible while still ensuring national involvement in the process.

Strategic Planning Task Force

This Task Force is leading JCPA's Strategic planning process to ensure that our priority areas of work represent the input of the field, agencies and leadership.

Fiduciary

Fundraising/Development (Standing Committee)

The Fundraising Committee is charged with developing and implementing a fundraising strategy that will result in a major increase in funding and capacity of the organization. This Committee is new to the organization and was created to help ensure JCPA's future in a changing landscape of how national organizations will be funded by the traditional Jewish community organizations.

Finance Committee (Standing Committee)

The Finance Committee oversees finances, JCPA's budget and all fiduciary responsibilities of the organization.

Compensation Committee (Standing Committee)

The Committee is responsible for staff compensation and benefits.

Nominations Committee (Standing Committee)

This Committee is responsible for ensuring a fair and efficient nomination process.

JCPA Public Policy Overview - 2017

JCPA will continue to play a robust role in convening member agencies on public policy priority areas. To do this, we are building a strong staff team and lay structure that will work in partnership and close coordination to ensure that we remain an effective convener, well informed network, and a powerful voice on issues of concern.

JCPA policy staff team will include:

• Senior Vice President of Programs • Washington Representative and Deputy Director of Domestic Policy • Senior Policy Advisor • Communications Manager

The policy staff team will work closely with the following lay structure:

• Public Policy Advisory Committee - will act as policy advisors to provide overall guidance on policy, deal with emerging issues, and formulate responses rapidly to urgent current events. • A JCPA/JCRC Washington Action Task Force - will work to represent the network and identify opportunities for engagement.

The team will be a resource to the network keeping JCRCs, board members and other stakeholders updated and educated on current and emerging issues and action opportunities. The team will coordinate the 16 national Jewish member agencies in DC and in NYC around policy statements and monitor issues to ensure that we leverage and enhance each other's expertise.

The policy team will educate, advocate, and activate the network by:

• Advocate nationally on behalf of the network. • Produce a monthly legislative update in coordination with member agencies in DC. • Develop advocacy tool kits on priority issue areas that have a local, state and national component and prepare action alerts as needed. • Sign-on to statements. • Identify opportunities for JCRC members across the country to engage and mobilize on issues of importance. • Be a resource to the field helping them vet policy positions, handle local and state concerns and priorities and provide educational opportunities.

Calendars SAVE THE DATE:

December 4-10, 2016 JCPA Leadership Mission Israel

February 25-28, 2017 JCPA2017 Washington, DC Annual Conference

June 11-12, 2017 JCPA Spring Meetings New York, NY

October 15-16, 2017 JCPA Fall Meetings New York, NY

2016 Office Schedule- Office Closings

Thursday, November 24 Thanksgiving Closed

Friday, November 25 Thanksgiving Closed Monday, December 25 Christmas Day (Observed) Closed

2017 Office Schedule- Office Closings

January 2 New Year’s Day (Observed) Closed

January 16 Martin Luther King Day Closed

February 20 President’s Day Closed

April 10 Erev Passover 1:30 Closing April 11 - 12 Passover (1st & 2nd Days) Closed April 17 - 18 Passover (7th & 8th Days) Closed

May 29 Memorial Day Closed

May 31 - June 1 Shavuot (1st & 2nd Days) Closed

July 4 Independence Day Closed

September 4 Labor Day Closed

September 20 Erev Rosh Hashanah 1:30 Closing September 21 - 22 Rosh Hashanah Closed

September 29 Erev Yom Kippur 1:30 Closing

October 5 - 6 Sukkot (1st & 2nd Day) Closed

October 12 - 13 Shmini Atzeret & Simchat Torah Closed

November 23 - 24 Thanksgiving Closed

December 25 Christmas Day Closed 1

Jewish Holiday Calendar 2016-2017

Rosh Hashanah October 3 - 4, 2016

Yom Kippur October 12, 2016

Sukkot October 17 - 18, 2016

Shmini Atzeret October 24, 2016

Simchat Torah October 25, 2016

Chanukah December 25, 2016 - January 1, 2017

Tu-B'shvat February 11, 2017

Purim March 12, 2017

Passover April 11 - 18, 2017

Yom HaShoah April 23, 2017

Yom Hazikaron April 30, 2017

Yom Ha'atzmaut May 1, 2017

Lag Ba'Omer May 14, 2017

Shavuot May 31 - June 1, , 2017

Tisha B'Av August 1, 2017

Resources

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Marie Abrams Harvey Arfa 8503 Harrods Bridge Way, #301 641 Lexington Ave Prospect, KY 40059 Suite 632 New York, NY 10022-0000 Cell: (502) 216-9363 Work: Cell: (917) 974-0383 Home: (502) 426-4220 Work: (212) 974-3100 Home: (212) 861-7488

[email protected] [email protected] Position: Past Chair Community/Agency: Louisville Position: At-Large Member Community/Agency: New York

Vivian Bass David Bernstein 4 Springer Court 116 East 27th Street, 10th Floor Bethesda, MD 20817 New York, NY 10016

Cell: (301) 526-0621 Cell: 301.452.8136 Work: Work: (212) 689-3208 Home: (301) 229-9145 Home:

facebook.com/david.bernstein.395 @VivianGBass @DavidLBernstein [email protected] [email protected]

Position: National Agency Representative Position: President and CEO Community/Agency: Jewish Women International Community/Agency: JCPA

Donna Beyer Gale S. Bindelglass 3160 E. Moon Spirit Place 576 Farmdale Rd Tucson , AZ 85718 Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417-0000

Cell: (520) 444-3797 Cell: (201) 819-7297 Work: (520) 327-4501 Work: Home: (520) 299-3675 Home: (201) 337-0224

@gogolda [email protected] [email protected]

Position: At-Large Member Position: Community Representative Community/Agency: Tucson Community/Agency: Northern New Jersey

David Bohm Michael J. Bohnen 465 Steeple Lane Adelson Family Foundation Wildwood, MO 63005-4203 300 First Avenue Needham, MA 02494-0000 Cell: (314) 749-9065 Work: (314) 889-7135 Cell: (781) 277-1003 Home: (636) 532-8959 Work: (781) 972-5951 Home: (617) 969-5024

[email protected] [email protected] Position: Vice Chair Community/Agency: St. Louis Position: Past Chair Community/Agency: Boston

Rabbi Neal Borovitz Merom Brachman 142 West End Ave 311 N. Drexel Ave Apt 7P Columbus , OH 43209-0000 New York, NY 10023 Cell: Cell: (201) 665-1996 Work: (614) 253-8511 Work: Home: (614) 253-8511 Home: (212) 496-2653

Neal Borovitz

[email protected] [email protected] Position: National Agency Representative Position: Vice Chair Community/Agency: JFNA Community/Agency: UJA Federation of New York

Martin Bresler Carol Brick-Turin 910 Park Avenue Greater Miami Jewish Federation New York, NY 10075-0000 4200 Biscayne Blvd Miami, FL 33137-0000 Cell: (646) 522-1068

Work: Cell: (786) 385-2566 Home: (212) 288-5652 Work: (786) 866-8485 Home: (786) 866-8485

@cbtmiami [email protected]

[email protected] Position: At-Large Member Community/Agency: New York Position: Voting Ex-Officio Community/Agency: Miami

Charney Bromberg David Butler 93 Highland Avenue Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Tarrytown, NY 10591-4206 2020 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-0000 Cell: Work: Cell: Home: (914) 332-1030 Work: (202) 373-6723 Home:

[email protected] [email protected] Position: National Agency Representative Community/Agency: Jewish Labor Committee Position: National Agency Representative Community/Agency: Washington, D.C.

Debra Cohen Ruth Cole 10726 Old Coach Lane 381 Crest Road Houston, Texas 77024-0000 Ridgewood , NJ 07450-0000

Cell: (713) 320-4291 Cell: Work: Work: Home: (713) 932-1430 Home: (201) 652-7982

@DebraNC [email protected] [email protected]

Position: National Agency Representative Position: Community Representative Community/Agency: JFNA Community/Agency: Northern New Jersey

Leonard Cole Betty Cotton 381 Crest Road 10 The Crossing at Blind Brk 86 Sheldrake Rd Ridgewood, NJ 07450-2436 Purchase, NY 10577 Cell: (201) 370-5483 Work: Cell: (914) 772-0822 Home: (201) 652-8187 Work: Home: (212) 452-2468

[email protected] [email protected] Position: Past Chair Community/Agency: Northern New Jersey Position: National Agency Representative Community/Agency: AJC

Cynthia Darrison Sheila Derman Darrison Barrett & Associates, LLC 9 Willwood Court PO Box 297036 Baltimore, MD 60026 Brooklyn, NY 11229 Cell: Cell: (917) 488-0872 Work: Work: Home: (410) 486-8877 Home:

[email protected] [email protected] Position: At-Large Member Position: National Agency Representative Community/Agency: Hadassah Community/Agency: Orthodox Union

Nathan Diament Rabbi Fred Dobb 800 8th Street, NW 4404 Yuma St NW Suite 318 Washington, DC 20001 Washington, DC 20016

Cell: (202) 262-1844 Cell: (202) 271-9441 Work: (202) 513-6484 x1 Work: (301) 767-3333 x113 Home: (202) 513-6484 Home: (202) 966-3674

@NDiament [email protected] [email protected]

Position: National Agency Representative Position: Ex-officio Community/Agency: Orthodox Union Community/Agency: COEJL

David Dranikoff Jon Ellis 59 Mounthaven Dr 101 E. Kennedy Blvd, # 2800 Livingston, NJ 07039-0000 Tampa , FL 33602-5151

Cell: (973) 714-2108 Cell: (813) 240-4078

Work: Work: (813) 227-2335 Home: (973) 994-2375 Home:

@ElectDavidNJ [email protected] [email protected]

Position: At-Large Member Position: Treasurer Community/Agency: MetroWest Community/Agency: Tampa

Jack Fein Cheryl Fishbein 2416 New Hackensack Rd. 3 East 84 Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Floor 5 New York, NY 10028 Cell: 914.419.5785 Work: Cell: (917) 862-2001 Home: 845.485.7186 Work: Home: (212) 439-6842

facebook.com/cheryl.fishbein.7

[email protected]

[email protected] Position: National Agency Representative Community/Agency: United Synagogue of Position: Chair Conservative Judaism Community/Agency: New York

Mark Frank Lois Frank 7532 Graymore Road 920 Crest Valley Drive NW 310 Grant St Atlanta, GA 30327-4530 Pittsburgh , PA 15221-0000 Cell: (404) 915-9696

Cell: Work: Work: (412) 261-0310 Home: (404) 255-7112 Home: 412-607-5522

[email protected] [email protected] Position: Past Chair Position: Ex-officio Community/Agency: Atlanta Community/Agency: Pittsburgh

Steven Freeman Michael Fromm Anti -Defamation League 1436 Van Steffy Avenue 605 Third Avenue Wyomissing, PA 19610 New York, NY 10158-0000 Cell: (484) 256-4441 Cell: Work: (610) 374-4442 Work: (212) 885-7733 Home: (610) 375-4994 Home:

@smfys [email protected] [email protected] Position: Chair's Appointee to Executive Committee Position: National Agency Representative Community/Agency: Reading, PA Community/Agency: ADL

Marci Gerston Conrad Giles 1968 Alford Avenue 6300 Westmoor Rd Los Altos, CA 94024 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301-1359

Cell: (408) 930-3406 Cell: (248) 302-5859 Work: Work: (248) 594-6702 Home: (650) 967-7207 Home: (248) 851-1811

@mgerston [email protected] [email protected]

Position: Community Representative Position: Past Chair Community/Agency: Silicon Valley Community/Agency: Detroit

Larry Gold Harold Goldberg 1335 Moores Mill Road, N.W. 1783 Cardel Way Atlanta, GA 30327-1445 San Jose, CA 95124-5651

Cell: (404) 695-3487 Cell: (408) 202-3345 Work: (404) 815-3396 Work: Home: (404) 367-8552 Home: (408) 979-1111