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The RJC Weekly Newsletter
August 8, 2019
Your weekly look at the latest news, analysis,
and RJC activities around the country.
— Featured —
Reflecting on El Paso and Dayton
The RJC joins in the national mourning for the individuals murdered in the two attacks last weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. Our prayers are with the wounded and the families whose lives have been shattered by these horrifying events.
President Trump was very clear in his remarks from the White House this week that hate has not place in America, and that Americans must work together to defeat it:
In one voice, our nation must condemn racism, bigotry, and white supremacy. These sinister ideologies must be defeated. Hate has no place in America. Hatred warps the mind, ravages the heart, and devours the soul. We have asked the FBI to identify all further resources they need to investigate and disrupt hate crimes and domestic terrorism — whatever they need.
...We can and will stop this evil contagion. In that task, we must honor the sacred memory of those we have lost by acting as one people. Open wounds cannot heal if we are divided. We must seek real, bipartisan solutions. We have to do that in a bipartisan manner. That will truly make America safer and better for all.
...Republicans and Democrats have proven that we can join together in a bipartisan fashion to address this plague. Last year, we enacted the STOP School Violence and Fix NICS Acts into law, providing grants to improve school safety and strengthening critical background checks for firearm purchases. At my direction, the Department of Justice banned bump stocks. Last year, we prosecuted a record number of firearms offenses. But there is so much more that we have to do.
Now is the time to set destructive partisanship aside — so destructive — and find the courage to answer hatred with unity, devotion, and love. Our future is in our control. America will rise to the challenge. We will always have and we always will win. The choice is ours and ours alone. It is not up to mentally ill monsters; it is up to us.
Further reading:
- Immigration Restriction Is Not Hate - Rich Lowry points out that "the left is doubling down on ruling immigration restriction out of bounds," but says that calling Trump "a terrorist, a supporter of terrorism or an enabler or terrorism... is a slander born of partisan hatred."
- Words That Heal and Words That Don’t - Karl Rove writes that "unfortunately, we are well past the point when politicians would stay silent long enough to let the victims’ families and friends grieve in peace. And I get that over-the-top rhetoric may help improve some Democrats’ chances to win the nomination. But it seems the more these White House hopefuls struggle for attention, the more extreme and desperate they make themselves look."
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN)
Republican Rep. Tom Emmer Letter Labeled Anti-Semitic
“Firstly, Tom Steyer isn’t even Jewish, he’s a practicing Episcopalian,” Brooks said. “Secondly, people can’t simply be shielded from criticism because they’re Jewish, not when otherwise similar people are criticized for the same exact actions. If it’s fair to criticize the Kochs, like leading Democrat presidential candidates have done, then it's fair to criticize the top Democratic funders.”
Rabbi Hershel Lutch, who led a week-long mission to Israel in which Rep. Emmer took part, defends Emmer from the charges of anti-Semitism and notes:
Falsely accusing someone of anti-Semitism is just as dangerous as not calling out anti-Semitism when, in fact, it is present. By falsely flagging conduct as anti-Semitic, we lose our ability to stay focused on combating the very numerous and extant threats of anti-Semitism — and, importantly, we lose our credibility to define and identify them.
RJC is Hiring Field Staff for 2020 Outreach
The Republican Jewish Coalition is hiring field staff for our advocacy efforts in support of President Donald J. Trump’s reelection in various battleground states.
If you (or someone you know) have relevant political experience and a strong desire to make an impact at the grassroots level that will win the White House in 2020, CLICK HERE for details and application information.
— Short Takes —
Congratulations to RJC alum and good friend William Daroff, who has been chosen as the next CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Currently senior vice president for public policy and director of the Washington office of the Jewish Federations, Daroff will step into the lead executive role held for 33 years by Malcolm Hoenlein.
We are pleased to welcome two great additions to the RJC team. Sam Markstein is our new national political director and New York grassroots director. Sam will take his experience with House, Senate, and presidential campaigns into the field for RJC's 2020 grassroots outreach. Emma Enig, our new national grassroots coordinator, will support our local chapters and help grow the RJC around the country.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo writes that the US's unprecedented pressure campaign against the Iranian regime is intended to raise the cost of Iran’s expansionism and the status quo, while at the same time the US seeks a comprehensive deal and a far more peaceful, stable relationship.
Shoshana Bryen calls President Trump's release of an economic plan for the Palestinians a good move, because it "takes an axe to the notion that all plans, politics, money, and political benefits have to be filtered through the 'Sole Legitimate Representative of the Palestinian People' — i.e., the PLO or its successor, the Palestinian Authority (PA)."
— Tweets —
The RJC is moving to a new email platform over the next few weeks.
We expect the transition to be smooth, but if you don't receive our weekly e-newsletter on Thursdays as you normally do, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. Thank you.
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— Events —
SAVE THE DATE: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WITH REP. DOUG COLLINS
Sandy Springs, GA - August 25, 2019
SAVE THE DATE: BRIEFING ON ISRAEL AND IRAN WITH JONATHAN SCHANZER
Beachwood, OH - August 27, 2019
SAVE THE DATE: 2020 NATIONAL LEADERSHIP MEETING
Las Vegas, NV - MARCH 13-15, 2020
— Connect —
Join the RJC Community
If you like the work we’re doing, consider joining us on Facebook, Twitter, or becoming an RJC member. Ensure that your voice is heard in our Party and our community!
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