Blogs

President Donald Trump's newly released budget is an affront to the Jewish values we support as a community. His budget ramps up military spending in a fashion previously seen only during wars and arms races. His attack on agencies delivers a serious blow to the  protection of our water and air, education of our children, and the work conducted in medical research. A stable, functioning and compassionate society depends on these and other necessary programs.

As my internship at JAC comes to an end, I have been reflecting on my experiences over the last couple of months. My internship at JAC began right after Donald Trump was inaugurated. It was and extremely intense political climate, that has continued. Working in the research and communications department, it was a daily challenge for me to differentiate facts from bias, especially when information comes from countless sources and is shared on every platform. I hope to use this experience to remain better informed at college and share that knowledge with my friends. 

When JAC began in 1980, there were only 18 women in Congress. Today 105 women serve in the House and Senate. Women have made significant strides in government. They have contributed to every aspect of society, as well. During Women's History month in March, we honor women for their achievements and impact in our lives. However, we must also remember the challenges that remain.

This week there were anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. and Europe. Jewish Community Centers received bomb threats for the fourth time in five weeks; a St. Louis Jewish cemetery was vandalized; and two kippah-wearing brothers in Paris were abducted and beaten. The Jewish community continues to react with disgust, sadness and fear. Yet President Donald Trump's responses have been delayed and weak. History has taught us what happens when elected leaders and community members remain silent. 

This week we watched with anticipation the meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Women's reproductive freedom and religious freedom, two of JAC's main issues, suffered a serious blow this week with the approval of Jeff Sessions for Attorney General, Tom Price for Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education.

JAC members  participated in the Women's March in many cities around the country. We marched in Washington, DC, Florida, New York, Boston, Denver, Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles,  where we lent our voices to those standing up for reproductive rights, immigration, equality, and climate science. The energy and passion was overwhelming.

JAC members  participated in the Women's March in many cities around the country. We marched in Washington, DC, Florida, New York, Boston, Denver, Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles,  where we lent our voices to those standing up for reproductive rights, immigration, equality, and climate science. The energy and passion was overwhelming.

The week began with honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., who committed his life to fighting for civli rights and justice. It ended with the inauguration of President Donald Trump and increased fears about the future of those same rights.Trump will fulfill his campaign promise to defund Planned Parenthood and appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe v Wade. It is now time to turn that fear to action. We lost the election, but not the fight. 

This has been a personal and nostalgic week for the Obama and the Biden families. JAC, whose office is based in the Chicago area, has had a front row seat to watch state Sen. Barack Obama become U.S. Sen. Barack Obama and ultimately President Obama. Vice President Joe Biden has been a friend to JAC since its early days, welcoming us to his office. We were honored to have him speak at our meetings.