Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Professional services
UnclaimedAn American Jewish advocacy organization focused on progressive public policy, community relations, social justice, Israel, and combating antisemitism.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is an American Jewish advocacy organization that works on domestic and international public-policy issues through Jewish communal, interfaith, and progressive coalition-building. It was established in 1944 by the Council of Jewish Federations as the National Community Relations Advisory Council, an umbrella body for local Jewish community relations councils. These local councils addressed antisemitism, civil rights, intergroup relations, religious liberty, poverty, and other issues affecting Jewish communities and the wider public. The organization changed its name to the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council in the 1960s and adopted the Jewish Council for Public Affairs name in 1997. For most of its history, it functioned as a coordinating and representative institution within the organized American Jewish community. It represented approximately 125 local Jewish federations and community relations councils and coordinated with a group of national Jewish organizations. Its role was not primarily to sell products or provide commercial services, but to develop policy positions, organize advocacy campaigns, train community leaders, and provide a Jewish communal voice in public debates. JCPA's policy portfolio has included antisemitism, civil rights, social justice, poverty, hunger, immigration, education, health, environmental protection, climate change, religious liberty, and the separation of church and state. Its international work has included Israel–United States relations, support for Israel as a Jewish homeland, opposition to antisemitism and genocide, the welfare of Jewish communities in danger, human rights, and United Nations policy. The organization has generally supported a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and has promoted equality for Israeli Arabs. In 2010, it helped establish the Israel Action Network with the Jewish Federations of North America to respond to campaigns seeking to delegitimize Israel and to promote community education and advocacy. Several initiatives linked JCPA publicized social and humanitarian concerns. It helped establish the Save Darfur Coalition in 2004 and organized Jewish communal support for action concerning the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Its 2007 anti-poverty initiative, commonly known as There Shall Be No Needy Among You, sought to focus attention on hunger, homelessness, and economic insecurity. The organization also conducted Food Stamp Challenges, in which public officials, clergy, and community participants attempted to live for a week on the average food-stamp allotment. With MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, it helped develop annual Hunger Seder mobilizations beginning in 2008. Other campaigns included Fighting Poverty with Faith, environmental advocacy through the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, Vote On Guns after the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, and Immigration Nation in support of comprehensive immigration reform. JCPA's political identity became increasingly associated with progressive positions. That orientation created tensions within the broader Jewish communal system as some federations and donors placed greater emphasis on Israel advocacy or objected to JCPA's participation in progressive movements, including support for Black Lives Matter. In 2021, a Washington, D.C., chapter of the Sunrise Movement sought to remove JCPA and other Jewish organizations from a voting-rights coalition because of their connections to Israel and support for Zionism; the chapter later apologized after criticism that its action reflected antisemitism. In December 2022, JCPA announced a major institutional separation from the Jewish Federations of North America and ended its formal role speaking for the network of local Jewish community relations councils and participating national organizations. The change ended its long-standing representative relationship and resulted in the loss of dues-based federation funding, while allowing the organization to operate independently and pursue progressive coalitions more freely. Amy Spitalnick became chief executive officer in May 2023. The independent JCPA continues to present itself as a Jewish public-affairs and advocacy organization working on progressive policy, antisemitism, Israel-related issues, and social justice.
History
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs traces its origins to 1944, when the Council of Jewish Federations created the National Community Relations Advisory Council. The new body served as an umbrella and coordinating institution for local Jewish community relations councils, which worked on antisemitism, civil rights, intergroup relations, religious freedom, and public policy. Its formation reflected an effort to coordinate local Jewish advocacy while presenting a coherent communal voice in American political and civic life. Arnold Aronson served as program director from 1945 through 1976, a formative period in which the organization developed its role within the American Jewish communal system. During the early Cold War, the council opposed the Rosenberg Committee, viewing it as a Communist organization. It also rejected claims that the Rosenberg trial was primarily motivated by antisemitism, arguing that such accusations were creating alarm within the Jewish community. The organization was renamed the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council in the 1960s. Over subsequent decades, it coordinated policy activity among local federations, community relations councils, and national Jewish organizations. Its work broadened beyond traditional community relations to include civil rights, economic justice, poverty, immigration, environmental protection, health, education, religious liberty, and international human-rights concerns. The organization adopted the name Jewish Council for Public Affairs in 1997. It continued to operate as a representative body for Jewish community relations organizations and to build coalitions with religious, civil-rights, anti-poverty, environmental, and other civic groups. Its international agenda included Israel–United States relations, combating global antisemitism, the protection of endangered Jewish communities, genocide prevention, and human rights. JCPA supported Israel as a Jewish homeland and generally advocated a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In 2010, it helped create the Israel Action Network with the Jewish Federations of North America to educate and mobilize Jewish communities in response to campaigns aimed at delegitimizing Israel, while also promoting peace and security for two peoples. Humanitarian and domestic initiatives became important parts of JCPA's public profile. The organization helped found the Save Darfur Coalition in 2004 and worked to sustain American Jewish advocacy concerning Sudan, humanitarian relief, and the establishment of South Sudan. In 2007, it launched an anti-poverty program focused on hunger, homelessness, and economic insecurity. Its Food Stamp Challenges asked participants, including members of Congress and religious leaders, to live for a week on the average food-stamp allotment. Beginning in 2008, JCPA and MAZON organized Hunger Seder mobilizations that connected Passover themes of liberation with hunger in the United States. Hunger Seders were held in numerous states, including a national event at the U.S. Capitol. JCPA also co-sponsored Fighting Poverty with Faith with Catholic Charities USA and the National Council of Churches from 2008 onward. Through this mobilization, religious communities organized events intended to make poverty reduction a national priority. Environmental advocacy was pursued through the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, which is affiliated with the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. Following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, JCPA promoted the Vote On Guns campaign, and in 2013 it supported Immigration Nation, an initiative advocating comprehensive immigration reform. The organization's progressive policy orientation increasingly produced friction within the organized Jewish community. As some national Jewish institutions and federations placed more emphasis on Israel advocacy, JCPA's influence within the Jewish establishment weakened. Its support for Black Lives Matter and participation in progressive coalitions also drew criticism from conservative donors. In 2021, a Sunrise Movement chapter in Washington, D.C., attempted to exclude JCPA and other Jewish organizations from a voting-rights coalition because of their support for Zionism and ties to Israel. The chapter subsequently apologized after Jewish organizations criticized the action as antisemitic. In December 2022, JCPA announced that it would end its long-standing role as the representative voice for approximately 125 local community relations councils and 16 national Jewish organizations. The decision separated it from the Jewish Federations of North America and ended access to dues from participating local federations. JCPA described independence as an opportunity to build progressive coalitions and advocate more directly for progressive policies. Amy Spitalnick became chief executive officer in May 2023. The organization now operates as an independent Jewish advocacy group rather than as the formal coordinating representative of the federation-based community relations network.
- 2023
Amy Spitalnick became CEO
[1]Amy Spitalnick joined JCPA as chief executive officer during the organization's post-federation transition.
- 2022
Separated from Jewish Federations
[1]JCPA announced that it would become independent and end its formal representative role for local community relations councils and participating national organizations.
- 2013
Immigration Nation campaign
[1]JCPA supported a campaign for comprehensive immigration reform.
- 2012
Vote On Guns campaign
[1]The organization promoted gun-violence prevention advocacy following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
- 2010
Israel Action Network created
[1]JCPA and the Jewish Federations of North America created the Israel Action Network to educate and mobilize communities concerning Israel-related advocacy and support for a two-state framework.
- 2008
Began Hunger Seder mobilization
[1]JCPA and MAZON began annual Hunger Seder activities linking Passover's liberation narrative to contemporary hunger and food insecurity.
- 2007
Launched anti-poverty initiative
[1]JCPA introduced an initiative focused on hunger, homelessness, and poverty in the United States.
- 2004
Helped found Save Darfur Coalition
[1]JCPA joined other organizations in establishing a coalition to raise public awareness and advocate for action concerning atrocities and humanitarian suffering in Darfur.
- 1997
Adopted Jewish Council for Public Affairs name
[1]The organization began using its current name, JCPA.
- 1990
Engagement with Nelson Mandela
[1]JCPA participated with other Jewish organizations and communal leaders in discussions with Nelson Mandela concerning his views on Israel, Palestinians, and South African Jews.
Products and positioning
A progressive Jewish public-affairs and advocacy organization that connects Jewish communal concerns with broader campaigns for civil rights, social justice, economic security, religious liberty, environmental protection, and a secure Jewish future.
Advocacy and public education network · 2010
Israel Action Network
Created in 2010 with the Jewish Federations of North America, the Israel Action Network supported community education, coalition-building, and strategic responses to campaigns that JCPA characterized as attempts to delegitimize Israel. Its stated framework combined support for Israel as a Jewish homeland with advocacy for peace and security based on two states for two peoples.
Anti-poverty initiative · 2007
There Shall Be No Needy Among You
Launched in 2007, this national anti-poverty program focused attention on hunger, homelessness, and related forms of economic insecurity. It used public education, community mobilization, and advocacy to encourage Jewish communities and policymakers to treat poverty reduction as a public priority.
Hunger-awareness campaign · 2008
Hunger Seder Mobilization
Developed with MAZON beginning in 2008, Hunger Seder events connected the Passover story of freedom with food insecurity in the United States. The mobilization included a national seder at the U.S. Capitol and activities held by communities in many states.
Environmental advocacy program
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
JCPA's environmental work has been conducted through the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, an affiliate of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. The program applies Jewish communal advocacy to environmental protection and climate-change issues.
Controversies
2021
Sunrise Movement coalition controversy
The Washington, D.C., chapter of the Sunrise Movement called for JCPA and other Jewish organizations to be removed from a voting-rights coalition because of their relationships with Israel and support for Zionism. The chapter later apologized after Jewish organizations condemned the action as antisemitic.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Immigration Nation
United States
A campaign supporting comprehensive immigration reform and wider Jewish communal engagement on immigration policy.
- 2012Vote On Guns
United States
A gun-violence prevention campaign launched in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
- 2010Israel Action Network
United States · Canada
A partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America intended to educate and mobilize organized Jewish communities in response to anti-Israel campaigns and to promote a two-state approach.
Outcome. The network became a principal vehicle for JCPA's Israel-related community advocacy.
- 2008Hunger Seder Mobilization
United States
JCPA and MAZON organized Passover-themed events to connect Jewish teachings about liberation with the continuing problem of hunger.
Outcome. Events were held in more than 30 states, including a national gathering at the U.S. Capitol.
- 2008Fighting Poverty with Faith
United States
JCPA co-sponsored an interfaith mobilization with Catholic Charities USA and the National Council of Churches to organize local events focused on poverty, hunger, housing, and employment.
Outcome. The mobilization used changing annual themes to encourage religious communities to make poverty reduction a national priority.
- 2007There Shall Be No Needy Among You
United States
An anti-poverty campaign addressing hunger, homelessness, and economic deprivation.
Outcome. The initiative generated related Food Stamp Challenges and other public-awareness activities.
- 2004Save Darfur Coalition
United States
JCPA helped establish the Save Darfur Coalition to mobilize public and communal concern about atrocities in Darfur and press the United States to support peace, humanitarian relief, and international action.
Outcome. The organization continued advocacy concerning Sudan, including support for humanitarian assistance and the creation of South Sudan.
Brand decisions
2022
Became independent from the federation systemStrategyBackground
JCPA's progressive policy orientation had generated tensions within the broader Jewish communal system, while its long-standing representative structure depended on local federation participation and dues.
Action taken
JCPA ended its role speaking on behalf of approximately 125 local community relations councils and 16 national Jewish organizations, separating from the Jewish Federations of North America.
Aftermath
The organization lost federation-based dues funding but gained greater institutional independence to pursue progressive coalitions and advocacy positions.
2010
Created Israel Action NetworkStrategyBackground
JCPA and the Jewish Federations of North America sought a coordinated response to campaigns they viewed as delegitimizing Israel.
Action taken
They established a network for education, community organizing, coalition-building, and advocacy supporting Israel and a two-state framework.
Aftermath
The network became part of JCPA's Israel-related policy and mobilization work.
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