National Council of Jewish Women
2055 L Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036 

Major Voting Rights Bill Blocked  

WASHINGTON – Just a month after debate was blocked on the Freedom to Vote Act, another essential piece of voting rights legislation — the bipartisan John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act — was also prevented from moving to debate. National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Chief Policy Officer Jody Rabhan released the following statement: 

“Without access to the ballot, we cannot elect lawmakers who represent our communities and respond to our needs. The Supreme Court has greatly weakened the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act over the past decade, and as a result, states across the country have passed dozens of laws making it more difficult to vote, particularly for communities of color, minority-language speakers, low-income voters, elderly and young voters, women, transgender individuals, and voters with disabilities. 

“The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which passed the House of Representatives in August, would restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act and has bipartisan support in the Senate. National Council of Jewish Women urges the Senate not to let partisan politics and procedural barriers stand in the way of realizing the promise of our democracy.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 200,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, education, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW. 

National Council of Jewish Women
2055 L Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036 

WASHINGTON – Along a party line vote, today the Senate blocked legislation that will help realize the promise of our democracy from even being debated. National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Chief Policy Officer Jody Rabhan released the following statement: 

“In 2021 alone, 19 states have enacted 33 laws making it harder for people to vote — primarily people of color, individuals with disabilities, low-income voters, and those who are already disempowered in our society. The Freedom to Vote Act is essential to ensuring that every eligible person can cast a ballot and have their vote counted. We are disappointed that opponents to this bill won’t even allow it to move forward for debate.  National Council of Jewish Women urges the Senate not to let any procedural barriers stand in the way of meaningful and transformational change. Our democracy works best when we all can participate.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 200,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, education, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW. 

National Council of Jewish Women
2055 L Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036 

WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tim Kaine, Angus King, Joe Manchin, Jeff Merkley, Alex Padilla, Jon Tester, and Raphael Warnock introduced the Freedom to Vote Act, the next step toward realizing the promise of democracy for all. National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Chief Policy Officer Jody Rabhan released the following statement: 

“National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) advocates have worked for more than 125 years to expand and protect the right to vote. Today’s introduction of the Freedom to Vote Act is the next chapter in this work. We welcome this transformational legislation, which would make it easier to cast a ballot and counter state voter suppression laws.  

“Our democracy is strongest when it reflects the diversity of its people. We look forward to working with lawmakers to ensure that the Freedom to Vote Act is as strong as possible so all our voices can be heard.”  

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 200,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, education, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2021

Media Contact:
Alyson Malinger, West End Strategy Team
amalinger@westendstrategy.com; 917-935-7311

John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Will Protect Right to Vote in Crucial Moment
National Council of Jewish Women celebrates the House of Representatives passage of monumental voting rights legislation; calls on Senate to take action

WASHINGTON — Today, the House of Representatives passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and strengthen our freedom to vote. In response, National Council of Jewish Women CEO Sheila Katz issued the following statement:

“Today, the House of Representatives took an important step to combat voter suppression and restore the Voting Rights Act to its former strength. The Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act over the past decade, and as a result, states across the country have passed dozens of laws making it more difficult to vote, particularly for communities of color, minority-language speakers, low-income voters, elderly and young voters, women, transgender individuals, and voters with disabilities.

“Laws making it harder to vote most harm those who are already vulnerable, the very people our Jewish tradition teaches us we must support. The right to vote is fundamental to all other rights. Without access to the ballot, we can’t elect lawmakers who represent our communities and our needs. Access to abortion, citizenship for Dreamers, LGBTQ equality, sensible gun laws — all are beyond our reach if we do not have the right to vote.

“Our vote is our voice, and as we celebrate the House of Representatives vote, we call on the Senate to take up the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in order to protect the rights of all voters and ensure the voices of every American are heard.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 200,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.

National Council of Jewish Women
2055 L Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036

NCJW Celebrates a Budget That Works for Families

WASHINGTON – Yesterday’s release of the FY 2022 Budget Resolution is an exciting step forward to rebuilding an economy that works for women and families. National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Chief Policy Officer Jody Rabhan released the following statement:

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a disproportionate and devastating impact on women and families, and in particular, women of color. That’s why National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is so pleased to see many of our priorities reflected in today’s FY 2022 Budget Resolution’s reconciliation instructions, including expanding health care, implementing paid leave, fighting child poverty, investing in education, and creating a path to citizenship for millions of immigrant youth, people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), farmworkers, and essential workers. When passed, these measures will help women, and women of color, return to the workforce and lift families out of poverty.

“The road to passage of this essential recovery bill is long, but we will advocate every step of the way for the policies to rebuild our communities, address longstanding inequities in our systems, and improve the lives of women, children, and families.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 200,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, education, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.

National Council of Jewish Women
2055 L Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036

NCJW Condemns Court’s Decision to Partially End DACA

July 19, 2021, Washington, DC – National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) condemns the ruling on July 16 partially ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA. NCJW Chief Policy Officer Jody Rabhan released the following statement:

“Friday’s decision to partially end DACA is a cruel attack on immigrant youth and their families. Judge Hanen of the Southern District of Texas ruled that no new DACA applications can be granted, though current DACA recipients can still apply for renewals.

“For many DACA recipients, the United States is the only home they have ever known. They own houses and businesses, attend school, worship in our congregations, and are vital to the economic strength of our nation. This ruling is further evidence that temporary protections leave people vulnerable. The only thing that can protect DACA recipients and other temporarily protected immigrants — other immigrant youth, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, farmworkers, and essential workers — is a pathway to citizenship.

“The Torah teaches us to welcome the stranger, for once we were strangers in the land of Egypt. Securing permanent protections for undocumented immigrants is not simply an issue of politics, but one of morality. NCJW will not stop working for immigrant youth, and we urge Congress to pass a recovery package that includes a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and other immigrants.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 200,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.