The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Encyclopedia
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CoP; often referred to as the Presidents' Conference) is a non-profit organization
that describes itself as "a central address for key American, Israeli and other world leaders to consult on issues of critical concern to the Jewish community."
Currently comprising 51 national Jewish organizations, the Conference meets relatively infrequently to make major statements or meet with important leaders. The Conference was founded to develop a consensus voice among various Jewish organizations when dealing with the executive branch, and to promote the State of Israel
in the United States
; those remain its primary task. The Conference does not draft comprehensive policies, nor does it do conventional lobbying; these are done, respectively, by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs
and by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
and his administration. The American Jewish community of the period was experiencing a large growth in its similar policy groups (such as the American Jewish Committee
and American Jewish Congress
) and the increasing influence of the Jewish denominations
on politics (particularly from Orthodox
and Conservative
Jews). The Eisenhower administration wanted an easier method to gauge the opinion of the community, without having to wade into the internal politics of the community, and polling leaders of each organization. The Conference established a unified voice for the community, one that government officials could consult on important matters.
For its first 30 years the Conference was led by one man, Yehuda Hellman. After his death in 1986, Malcolm Hoenlein
became Chairman; Hoenlein remains the Conference's Executive Vice Chairman. Hoenlein took a much stronger role in shaping U.S. policy, especially within the executive branch
.
The Presidents Conference and AIPAC work together closely, with all members of the conference sitting on AIPAC's executive committee, which is distinct from its board of directors. The two organizations follow a clear division of labor, however; the conference focuses on the executive branch of the U.S. government, while AIPAC concentrates its lobbying on Congress.
The Conference's chairperson is Alan Solow
.
The stated goals of the Conference include:
Stephen Harper
, and his government as a whole, with its inaugural "International Leadership Award" for his support for Israel
. Malcolm Hoenlein
, the executive vice-chairman of the conference, stated that the award was given to express the group's appreciation for Canada
's "courageous stands" to boycott the Durban II anti-racism conference. He also praised Canada's "support for Israel and [its] efforts at the U.N. against incitement and ... the delegitimization [of Israel], where they have taken a role in the forefront."
to pardon Jonathan Pollard
, a former U.S. navy analyst who was sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for spying for Israel
. Malcolm Hoenlein
stated that Pollard should be pardoned on humanitarian grounds, adding that "It's time that he be released. He has expressed remorse."
in the wake of the controversy over negationist comments made by Society of St. Pius X
bishop Richard Williamson.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
that describes itself as "a central address for key American, Israeli and other world leaders to consult on issues of critical concern to the Jewish community."
Currently comprising 51 national Jewish organizations, the Conference meets relatively infrequently to make major statements or meet with important leaders. The Conference was founded to develop a consensus voice among various Jewish organizations when dealing with the executive branch, and to promote the State of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; those remain its primary task. The Conference does not draft comprehensive policies, nor does it do conventional lobbying; these are done, respectively, by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is an American Jewish non-profit organization that deals with community relations. It is a coordinating round table organization of 14 other national Jewish organizations as well as 127 local Jewish federations and community relations councils...
and by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive Branch of the United States...
.
History
The Conference was created in 1956 in response to requests from PresidentPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
and his administration. The American Jewish community of the period was experiencing a large growth in its similar policy groups (such as the American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Committee
The American Jewish Committee was "founded in 1906 with the aim of rallying all sections of American Jewry to defend the rights of Jews all over the world...
and American Jewish Congress
American Jewish Congress
The American Jewish Congress describes itself as an association of Jewish Americans organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy, using diplomacy, legislation, and the courts....
) and the increasing influence of the Jewish denominations
Jewish denominations
Jewish religious movements , sometimes called "denominations" or "branches", include different groups which have developed among Jews from ancient times and especially in the modern era among Ashkenazi Jews living in anglophone countries...
on politics (particularly from Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
and Conservative
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
Jews). The Eisenhower administration wanted an easier method to gauge the opinion of the community, without having to wade into the internal politics of the community, and polling leaders of each organization. The Conference established a unified voice for the community, one that government officials could consult on important matters.
For its first 30 years the Conference was led by one man, Yehuda Hellman. After his death in 1986, Malcolm Hoenlein
Malcolm Hoenlein
Malcolm Hoenlein is the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations since June 1986. He is the founding executive director of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.Born in...
became Chairman; Hoenlein remains the Conference's Executive Vice Chairman. Hoenlein took a much stronger role in shaping U.S. policy, especially within the executive branch
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
.
The Presidents Conference and AIPAC work together closely, with all members of the conference sitting on AIPAC's executive committee, which is distinct from its board of directors. The two organizations follow a clear division of labor, however; the conference focuses on the executive branch of the U.S. government, while AIPAC concentrates its lobbying on Congress.
The Conference's chairperson is Alan Solow
Alan Solow
Alan P. Solow is an American lawyer, Jewish leader and philanthropist. He is a partner at DLA Piper's bankruptcy group based in Chicago, and a Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations...
.
Activities
The Conference's website states that it engages in "consensus policy, collective action, and maximizing the resources of the American Jewish community," in particular, "when events in the U.S., Israel and elsewhere affect the American Jewish community."The stated goals of the Conference include:
- Strengthening and fostering the special U.S.-Israel relationship.
- Ensuring that Israel's interests are heard and understood by policy makers, opinion molders and the American public.
- Addressing critical foreign policy issues that impact the American Jewish community.
- Representing the interests of organized American Jewry.
- Protecting and enhancing the security and dignity of Jews around the world.
International Leadership Award
In December 2008, the Conference presented Canadian Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
, and his government as a whole, with its inaugural "International Leadership Award" for his support for Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. Malcolm Hoenlein
Malcolm Hoenlein
Malcolm Hoenlein is the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations since June 1986. He is the founding executive director of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.Born in...
, the executive vice-chairman of the conference, stated that the award was given to express the group's appreciation for Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's "courageous stands" to boycott the Durban II anti-racism conference. He also praised Canada's "support for Israel and [its] efforts at the U.N. against incitement and ... the delegitimization [of Israel], where they have taken a role in the forefront."
Support for Jonathan Pollard
In December 2008, the Conference asked President George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
to pardon Jonathan Pollard
Jonathan Pollard
Jonathan Jay Pollard worked as a civilian intelligence analyst before being convicted of spying for Israel. He received a life sentence in 1987....
, a former U.S. navy analyst who was sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for spying for Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. Malcolm Hoenlein
Malcolm Hoenlein
Malcolm Hoenlein is the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations since June 1986. He is the founding executive director of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.Born in...
stated that Pollard should be pardoned on humanitarian grounds, adding that "It's time that he be released. He has expressed remorse."
Meeting with Pope Benedict XVI
On February 12 2009, the Conference's leaders met with Pope Benedict XVI in order to re-assert the importance of Jewish-Catholic relationsChristian-Jewish reconciliation
Reconciliation between Christianity and Judaism refers to the efforts that are being made to improve understanding of the Jewish people and of Judaism, to do away with Christian antisemitism and Jewish anti-Christian sentiment...
in the wake of the controversy over negationist comments made by Society of St. Pius X
Society of St. Pius X
The Society of Saint Pius X is an international Traditionalist Catholic organisation, founded in 1970 by the French archbishop Marcel Lefebvre...
bishop Richard Williamson.
List of member organizations
As of 2008, member organizations included the following:- AmeinuAmeinuAmeinu is an American Jewish Zionist organization. Established in 2004 as the successor to the Labor Zionist Alliance, it is the continuation of Labor Zionist activity in the United States that began with the founding of Poale Zion in 1905....
- American Friends of Likud, a group supporting the right-wing LikudLikudLikud is the major center-right political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin in an alliance with several right-wing and liberal parties. Likud's victory in the 1977 elections was a major turning point in the country's political history, marking the first time the left had...
party that has been a leading force in Israeli politics since 1977. - American Gathering/Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors
- America-Israel Friendship LeagueAmerica-Israel Friendship LeagueThe America–Israel Friendship League is an American/Israeli organization which describes itself as "non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and modern democratic values...
- American Israel Public Affairs CommitteeAmerican Israel Public Affairs CommitteeThe American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive Branch of the United States...
(AIPAC) - American Jewish CommitteeAmerican Jewish CommitteeThe American Jewish Committee was "founded in 1906 with the aim of rallying all sections of American Jewry to defend the rights of Jews all over the world...
- American Jewish CongressAmerican Jewish CongressThe American Jewish Congress describes itself as an association of Jewish Americans organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy, using diplomacy, legislation, and the courts....
- American Jewish Joint Distribution CommitteeAmerican Jewish Joint Distribution CommitteeThe American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is a worldwide Jewish relief organization headquartered in New York. It was established in 1914 and is active in more than 70 countries....
- American Sephardi FederationAmerican Sephardi FederationThe American Sephardi Federation, a member of the Center for Jewish History, is a non-profit Jewish organization that strengthens and organizes the religious and cultural activities of Sephardic Jews, preserves Sephardic heritage, tradition and culture in the United States and assists in the...
- American Zionist MovementAmerican Zionist MovementThe American Zionist Movement is the American federation of Zionist groups and individuals affiliated with the World Zionist Organization. According to its misión, it is committed to Zionism: the idea that the Jewish people is one people with a shared history, values and language.- History :The...
, a coalitionCoalitionA coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
of Zionist groups and individuals, and the American affiliate of the World Zionist OrganizationWorld Zionist OrganizationThe World Zionist Organization , or WZO, was founded as the Zionist Organization , or ZO, in 1897 at the First Zionist Congress, held from August 29 to August 31 in Basel, Switzerland...
. - Americans for Peace NowAmericans for Peace NowAmericans for Peace Now , the United States partner of Israel’s Shalom Achshav organization, is an American coalition working to help Israel achieve a secure peace with the Arab states and the Palestinian people...
- AMITAMITAMIT is an American Jewish Zionist volunteer organization, dedicated to education in Israel and nurturing Israeli children to become productive, contributing members of society...
- Anti-Defamation LeagueAnti-Defamation LeagueThe Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
(ADL) - Association of Reform Zionists of America/World Union North America, the Zionist arm of the ReformReform JudaismReform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
movement and an affiliate of the Union for Reform JudaismUnion for Reform JudaismThe Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
. - B'nai B'rith InternationalB'nai B'rithB'nai B'rith International |Covenant]]" is the oldest continually operating Jewish service organization in the world. It was initially founded as the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith in New York City, on , 1843, by Henry Jones and 11 others....
- Bnai Zion
- Central Conference of American RabbisCentral Conference of American RabbisThe Central Conference of American Rabbis , founded in 1889 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the principal organization of Reform rabbis in the United States and Canada, the CCAR is the largest and oldest rabbinical organization in the world....
- Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in AmericaCommittee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in AmericaThe Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America is an American non-profit pro-Israel media watchdog group. The group says it was founded in 1982 "to respond to the Washington Post's coverage of Israel's Lebanon incursion", and to respond to what it considers the media's "general...
- Development Corporation for Israel/State of Israel Bonds: Since 1951, Israel BondsBond (finance)In finance, a bond is a debt security, in which the authorized issuer owes the holders a debt and, depending on the terms of the bond, is obliged to pay interest to use and/or to repay the principal at a later date, termed maturity...
sales have helped Israel’s Finance MinistryMinistry of Finance (Israel)The Israeli Ministry of Finance is a part of the Israeli political system. It is responsible for planning and implementing the Government of Israel’s overall economic policy....
support projects in key sectors. Bond sales have exceeded $25 billion. - Emunah of America: Chapters and divisions around the United States support Israel’s largest Religious ZionistReligious ZionismReligious Zionism is an ideology that combines Zionism and Jewish religious faith...
educational and social welfare organizations. - Friends of Israel Defense Forces: Supports social, educational, and recreational programs and facilities for Israeli soldiers and supports bereaved relatives of fallen soldiers.
- Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of AmericaHadassahHadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America is an American Jewish volunteer women's organization. Founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold, it is one of the largest international Jewish organizations, with around...
- Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
- Jewish Community Centers Association
- Jewish Council for Public AffairsJewish Council for Public AffairsThe Jewish Council for Public Affairs is an American Jewish non-profit organization that deals with community relations. It is a coordinating round table organization of 14 other national Jewish organizations as well as 127 local Jewish federations and community relations councils...
- Jewish Institute for National Security AffairsJewish Institute for National Security AffairsThe Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit think-tank focusing on issues of United States and Israel in national security. JINSA's stated aim is threefold: to ensure a strong and effective U.S...
- Jewish Labor CommitteeJewish Labor CommitteeThe Jewish Labor Committee is an American secular Jewish organization dedicated to promoting labor union interests in Jewish communities, and Jewish interests within unions. The organization is headquartered in New York City, with local/regional offices in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago...
- Jewish National FundJewish National FundThe Jewish National Fund was founded in 1901 to buy and develop land in Ottoman Palestine for Jewish settlement. The JNF is a quasi-governmental, non-profit organisation...
- Jewish Reconstructionist FederationJewish Reconstructionist FederationJewish Reconstructionist Federation founded in 1955, is the synagogue arm of Reconstructionist Judaism, serving more than 100 congregations and havurot spread across North America. It is located at 101 Greenwood Ave., Suite 430 in Jenkintown, PA....
- Jewish War Veterans of the United States of AmericaJewish War Veterans of the United States of AmericaThe Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is an American Jewish veterans' organization, and the oldest veterans group in the United States. It has an estimated 37,000 members.-History and purpose:The Jewish War Veterans were established in 1896...
(JWV) - Jewish Women International
- MERCAZ USA, Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement
- NA'AMAT USA: This group has pursued its goal of supporting the women and children of Israel for the past 80 years.
- NCSJNCSJNational Conference on Soviet Jewry is a leading US organization advocating on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States, and Eurasia. It was started in 1971 as a volunteer organization and played an important role in the Soviet Jewry movement, including such landmark legislations as...
Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia - National Council of Jewish WomenNational Council of Jewish WomenThe National Council of Jewish Women defines itself as a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action...
- National Council of Young Israel
- World ORTWorld ORTWorld ORT is a non-profit non-governmental organization whose mission is the advancement of Jewish and other people through training and education, with past and present activities in over 100 countries....
- ORT America branch - Rabbinical AssemblyRabbinical AssemblyThe Rabbinical Assembly is the international association of Conservative rabbis. The RA was founded in 1901 to shape the ideology, programs, and practices of the Conservative movement. It publishes prayerbooks and books of Jewish interest, and oversees the work of the Committee on Jewish Law and...
(RA) - Rabbinical Council of AmericaRabbinical Council of AmericaThe Rabbinical Council of America is one of the world's largest organizations of Orthodox rabbis; it is affiliated with The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, more commonly known as the Orthodox Union, or OU...
(RCA) - Religious Zionists of AmericaReligious Zionists of AmericaThe Religious Zionists of America is an American based organization that serves as the official body for those, mostly Modern Orthodox Jews who identify with Religious Zionism and support the goals of the general Mizrachi movement in America, Europe and Israel.Most rabbis...
(RZA or Mizrahi) - Union for Reform JudaismUnion for Reform JudaismThe Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
(URJ) - Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of AmericaOrthodox UnionThe Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America , more popularly known as the Orthodox Union , is one of the oldest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. It is best known for its kosher food preparation supervision service...
(Orthodox Union or OU) - United Jewish CommunitiesUnited Jewish CommunitiesThe Jewish Federations of North America , is an American Jewish umbrella organization representing 157 Jewish Federations and the Network of Independent Communities, 400 smaller Jewish communities across North America. The JFNA was formed from the 1999 merger of the United Jewish Appeal, the...
(UJC) - United Synagogue of Conservative JudaismUnited Synagogue of Conservative JudaismThe United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is the primary organization of synagogues practicing Conservative Judaism in North America...
(USCJ) - Women's International Zionist OrganizationWomen's International Zionist OrganizationThe Women's International Zionist Organization , is a volunteer organization dedicated to social welfare in all sectors of Israeli society, the advancement of the status of women, and Jewish education in Israel and the Diaspora.-History:...
(WIZO) - Women's League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ)
- Women of Reform JudaismWomen of Reform JudaismWomen of Reform Judaism , formerly known as the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, is the women's affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism. As the primary women's organization in the Reform Jewish movement, WRJ represents over 65,000 women...
(WRJ) - Workmen's Circle (Arbeter Ring)
- World Zionist Executive, US
- Zionist Organization of AmericaZionist Organization of AmericaThe Zionist Organization of America , founded in 1897, was one of the first official Zionist organizations in the United States, and, especially early in the 20th century, the primary representative of Jewish Americans to the World Zionist Organization, espousing primarily Political Zionism.Today,...
(ZOA)
See also
- American Israel Public Affairs CommitteeAmerican Israel Public Affairs CommitteeThe American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive Branch of the United States...
- Anti-Defamation LeagueAnti-Defamation LeagueThe Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
- Israel lobby in the United StatesIsrael lobby in the United StatesThe Israel lobby is a term used to describe the diverse coalition of those who, as individuals and as groups, seek and have sought to influence the foreign policy of the United States in support of Zionism, Israel or the specific policies of its government...
- Jewish Council for Public AffairsJewish Council for Public AffairsThe Jewish Council for Public Affairs is an American Jewish non-profit organization that deals with community relations. It is a coordinating round table organization of 14 other national Jewish organizations as well as 127 local Jewish federations and community relations councils...