AJFCA
About AJFCA | Find a Service Near You | News | Members   
Jewish Connection | Annual Conference | Job Postings    

capital

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

Shelley Rood

AJFCA Washington Director

                           Wednesday, February 1, 2012 
Teleconference: The 2012 Presidential Election
Wednesday, February 1st, 4:00 pm EST
 
Please join us for The Jewish Federations of North America Teleconference Series on the 2012 Presidential Election. Our first call, to be held today, February 1st, will feature Lynn Sweet, the Washington Bureau Chief at the Chicago-Sun Times and Ron Kampeas, Washington Bureau Chief at the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).

Lynn Sweet is the Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times. Sweet is a regular guest on MSNBC programs and has appeared on CNN, FOX, NBC and CBS. Sweet is universally acknowledged as one of the leading media experts on Barack Obama, having covered him since the start of his political career.

Ron Kampeas is JTA's Washington Bureau Chief, responsible for coordinating coverage in the U.S. capital and analyzing political developments that affect the Jewish world. Before coming to JTA, Kampeas worked for over a decade with The Associated Press in its bureaus in Jerusalem, New York, London, and Washington, D.C. Kampeas is a leading expert on the intersection of the Jewish community with public policy and politics.  

This call is the first in a series of calls regarding the 2012 Presidential election.   
Call-in details:
Date: Wednesday, February 1st at 4:00pm EST
Dial-in Number: 1-877-559-2802
Israel Dial-in Number: 1-809-457-877 or 1-809-315-362
Conference ID: 46321512

February is Jewish Disability Awareness Month

 

February 2012 is the fourth annual Jewish Disability Awareness Month, presenting congregations and other Jewish community organizations with an opportunity to become truly welcoming. Together we can use this month to break down physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers, educate our communities on what accessibility and inclusion really mean, and reach out to Jews with disabilities. Please consult the Jewish Federation of North America's resource guide and take action now by signing the Statement of Solidarity. Additional resources on the Union for Reform Judaism's Disabilities page can help congregations and organizations recognize Jewish Disability Awareness Month and make Jewish life cycle events more accessible.

 

Participate in Jewish Disability Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill - February 7th

 

We invite you to come to Washington, DC on February 7th for Jewish Disability Advocacy Day. AJFCA is cosponsoring this event, which is organized by The Jewish Federations of North America and the Religious Action Center. The day will begin with a briefing in the Capitol (10:00am-11:30am, room HC-8) that will feature Members of Congress and other notable figures discussing the future of Medicaid and how we can best serve the healthcare needs of people with disabilities.

The briefing will include the following speakers:

*    Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA, co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus)
*    Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI, co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus)
*    Judith Solomon, Vice President for Health Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
*    Liz Weintraub, Self Advocacy Specialist, Association of University Centers on Disabilities

Following the briefing, we will participate in advocacy meetings with Members of Congress and staff. If you would like to register for this day of advocacy, please do so by clicking here. Kindly contact Shelley Rood, AJFCA Washington Director so that she can make sure you are set up with the appropriate meetings.

Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization

 

AJFCA has joined 40 faith organizations in sending a letter to Congress in support of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This landmark legislation, first enacted in 1994, brings assistance to victims of domestic violence and supports violence prevention programs across the country. Click here to read the text of the letter and please email Shelley if you would like to be involved in efforts to reauthorize VAWA.

Report on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation

 

One Year of Innovation provides a one-year assessment of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. Created by the Affordable Care Act, the Innovation Center has already worked to test and support innovative new health care models that can reduce costs and strengthen the quality of health care.

 

To download a copy of the report, click here.