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March 9, 2001/Adar 14, 5761, Vol. 53, No.23
Faith-based agenda, Israel dominate plenum
BARRY COHEN
Community Editor
Faith-based initiatives and the U.S.-Israel relationship dominated discussions at the largest Jewish Council for Public Affairs plenum ever held, Feb. 24-28 in Washington, D.C.
More than 1,000 delegates, including three Valley participants - Tami Schultz, Rick Naimark and Philip Sheinbein - gathered at the Mayflower Hotel, in conjunction with the Hillel-Spitzer forum and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.
"I was quite moved by the level of interaction and excitement," said Sheinbein, chairman of the Israel Affairs Committee of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
During the plenum, John Dilulio, director of the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, asked JCPA delegates to back President Bush's goal of increased federal funding for faith-based institutions that provide social services.
"People were shocked and politely surprised at how fantastic a speaker (he) was," said Sheinbein.
He nevertheless failed to convince the JCPA that the president's goal is worthwhile, Sheinbein added.
"There are already faith-based community organizations independent of churches, mosques and synagogues that provide services and do it effectively."
Groups doing the work in Phoenix, said Naimark, JCRC chairman and plenum delegate, include Jewish Family and Children's Service, Catholic Social Services and Lutheran Ministries.
Naimark said these agencies now receive federal funding under a separately incorporated 501(c)3 status requiring that they deliver services without a religious message and when hiring, abide by anti-discrimination laws.
JCPA delegates were concerned that recipients of faith-based funding may lack accountability and may proselytize and take advantage of others, such as the homeless or single mothers struggling below the poverty line, when they are the weakest, said Sheinbein.
Naimark pointed out that Dilulio expressed that he is still considering the challenges of increased federal funding to religious institutions in an effort to improve the quality of social services.
"You left the session feeling the office of faith-based initiatives was in good hands," said Schultz, director of the JCRC, adding that Dilulio said he would not allow hate groups, such as the Nation of Islam, to receive funding.
The Valley's JCRC is planning a community-wide faith-based forum for March 28, co-sponsored by the American Jewish Commitee. The goal is "to educate the community on the challenges surrounding President George Bush's faith-based initiatives," said Schultz.
Speakers will include Diana Aviv, vice president and public policy director of the Washington Office, United Jewish Communities; Eleanor Eisenberg, executive director of the Arizona Civil Liberties Union; and Professor David Kader of the Arizona State University law school.
The Washington plenum also focused on strengthening ties between the United States and Israel, said Sheinbein. "It was more Israel-centric than in the past."
Delegates were encouraged to work closely with local media to counteract both anti-Israel bias and Israel under-reporting and to work within the community "to foster and broaden an understanding of the issues," he added.
By the end of the plenum, delegates passed 15 resolutions. Among them are measures calling for an end of racial profiling, affirming day school education and supporting a moratorium on death penalty sentences.
The resolutions provide direction for local JCRCs, said Naimark. However, if no consensus within the local Jewish community exists, the JCRC is not expected to take a similar stance. All JCRC policy statements must be approved by the local executive committee and the board, said Schultz.
The national plenum included an afternoon of workshops on how to start coalitions and foster them. Naimark said he hopes the Phoenix JCRC decides to pursue Arab-Jewish dialogue.
Schultz, however, questioned whether, in light of increased violence in Israel, the local JCRC should reach out to the Arab community.
Concerning improved Latino-Jewish relations, she is disappointed that "ongoing conversations have not led to any tangible dialogue (in Phoenix)."
Details
What: Town hall meeting, "Defining the Role of Faith-based Organizations"
When: 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 28
Where: Temple Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale
Call Kate, 602-274-1800, ext. 147 or e-mail mtiffany@jewishphoenix.org by March 26
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