Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations

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Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
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The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CoP; commonly Presidents' Conference) is the umbrella organization for the American Jewish community. Comprising 50 national Jewish organizations, it was founded in 1956 to develop a consensus voice among Jewish organizations, especially to the U.S. government.

Mission

The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations is the American Jewish community's unofficial umbrella organization.[2] Since the 1970s, the chairperson of the Conference of Presidents has assumed the role of de facto spokesperson for the American Jewish community on international affairs, especially on matters related to Israel. Its authority is generally based on its ability to development consensus among the largest Jewish organizations, and therefore it claims to speak on behalf of the majority of affiliated American Jews.[3]

History

Formation

The Conference of Presidents was formed when Jewish groups felt a need to respond to the perceived tilt of the

Henry Byroade attempted to intimidate Israel, B'nai B'rith president Philip Klutznick invited the leaders of 16 American Jewish organizations to mete in New York City as the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. In March 1955, the conference had 20 members and met in Washington, D.C. to discuss the Middle East. The 1955 conference was the first public forum that enabled the American government to hear the opinions of the largest representative body of American Jews after World War II. At the forum, the Conference of Presidents declared its goals as three-fold: 1) the defense of American and the welfare of its people, 2) the spread of freedom and attainment of peace throughout the world, and 3) the attainment of peace, development, and security for the people of Israel in their ancestral homeland.[3]

In the early years, the Conference of Presidents, like other coordinating agencies such as the

Council of Jewish Federations, the Jewish Welfare Board, and the Synagogue Council of America, operated mainly as coordinating bodies with no powers of coercion over their constituent members. However, these groups were able to forge unprecedented levels of cooperation largely because there was a strong consensus about the Jewish communal agenda.[3]

Growth

By the 1970s, the Conference of President and

Executive Branch of the U.S. government, while AIPAC dealt mainly with the legislative branch.[3]

For its first 30 years, the organization was headed by Yehuda Hellman. After Hellman's death in 1986, Malcolm Hoenlein became chairman. Hoenlein took a much stronger role in shaping US policy, especially within the executive branch.[4] By 1990, the group grew to 48 members and 8 official observers. By then, its mission was to "strengthen the US-Israel alliance and protect and enhance the security and dignity of Jews abroad."[3]

On February 12, 2009, the conference's leaders met with Pope Benedict XVI in order to re-assert the importance of

Society of St. Pius X bishop Richard Williamson.[5]

Contemporary

On August 4, 2019, William Daroff was announced as Hoenlein's successor as CEO.[6] The Conference of Presidents co-organized the March for Israel on November 14, 2023. Daroff claimed that more than 290,000 people attended the rally, making it "the largest pro-Israel gathering in US history".[7]

Progressive Jewish groups have floated leaving the Conference, particularly after the Conference declined to extend membership to liberal group J Street in 2014. In 2023, progressive group The Workers Circle withdrew from the Conference over what The Workers Circle claimed as policy differences. CoP CEO William Daroff stated that The Workers Circle owed $15,000 in membership fees and had not raised any concerns prior to its announcement. Other left-leaning Jewish groups expressed that they would remain in the Conference.[8]

Activities

Mike Pompeo speaks at the CoP on 28 May 2019

International Leadership Award

In December 2008, the conference presented

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."[9]

Support for Jonathan Pollard

In December 2008, the conference asked President

Jerrold Nadler and Eliot Engel, to discuss efforts to lighten Pollard's parole conditions, in which both congressmen have been actively involved.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d ". Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  2. ^ Ari Gross, Judah (2023-02-02). "US Jewish leader Daroff warns: 'Crisis of divisiveness' is tearing Israel apart". Times of Israel. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  3. ^
    The American Jewish Year Book
    . 95: 3–98.
  4. ^ Massing, Michael (February 12, 2002). "Deal Breakers". The American Prospect. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  5. ^ "UDIENZA AI MEMBRI DELLA DELEGAZIONE DELLA "CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF MAJOR AMERICAN JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS" , 12.02.2009". Archived from the original on February 18, 2009.
  6. ^ "Conference of Presidents taps William Daroff as new CEO". JNS.org. 2019-08-04. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  7. ^ Magid, Jacob (November 15, 2023). "'Let our people go': Nearly 300,000 rally in Washington for Israel, hostages' release". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  8. ^ Lapin, Andrew (2023-08-02). "The Workers Circle, progressive Jewish group, leaves Conference of Presidents over disagreements on US and Israel advocacy". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  9. ^ Presidents Conference to honor Harper Archived December 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), December 4, 2008.
  10. ^ Pres. Conf. calls for Pollard pardon Archived 2008-12-07 at the Wayback Machine, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), December 5, 2008.
  11. ^ Morello, Carol; Eglash, Ruth (2015-11-20). "Jonathan Pollard, spy for Israel, released from prison after 30 years". Washington Post.
  12. ^ "Jonathan Pollard reportedly to speak with Jewish leaders". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2016-01-21.

External links

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