Tax ID no. 52-1386172 Chairman David M. Flaum Revenue 3.022 million USD Expenses 3.062 million USD | Executive Director Matthew Brooks Founded 24 May 1985 Number of employees 17 Number of volunteers 50 | |
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Formation May 24, 1985; 31 years ago (1985-05-24) Subsidiaries National Jewish Policy Center,Republican Jewish Coalition Political Action Committee Similar National Jewish Democrat, J Street, American Israel Public Aff, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, American Jewish Committee Profiles | ||
The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), formerly the National Jewish Coalition, founded in 1985, is a 501(c)(4) political lobbying group in the United States that promotes Jewish Republicans. The RJC says that it is the most important voice on conservative political issues for the Jewish-American community in the United States. The RJC has 44 chapters throughout the United States.
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Purpose
The official mission statement of the RJC is to foster and enhance ties between the American Jewish community and Republican decision makers in the United States. According to its website, the RJC "works to sensitize Republican leadership in government and the party to the concerns and issues of the Jewish community, while articulating and advocating Republican ideas and policies within the Jewish community."
The RJC also claims to be striving to build a "strong, effective and respected" voice of Jewish Republicans that can influence activities, policies and ideas in Washington and across the country.
The group's policy platform objectives include terrorism, national security, United States-Israel relations, Mideast peace process, The Palestinian Authority, Syria, Iran, immigration, energy policy, education, school prayer, affirmative action, the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, adoption, crime, taxes, welfare reform, faith-based initiatives, health care, Medicare reform, Social Security reform, and government reform.
Debate about the success of the RJC
The RJC has hosted successful activities and events such as the Presidential Candidates Forum, leadership trips to Israel for Members of Congress, governors, and other political leaders, and creating a high-level presence at the Republican National Convention. In 2005, President George W. Bush attended the RJC's 20th anniversary celebration.
In certain state and local elections, Republicans have received support from the Jewish community:
Political activities during the 2008 presidential election
During the 2008 election campaign, the RJC ran a series of advertisements in Jewish newspapers around the United States, mostly critical of Barack Obama and linking him to individuals such as Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and Patrick Buchanan. Salon.com also claimed the RJC was participating in polling phone calls ("push polls") made to potential voters in Pennsylvania and Florida that reportedly asked negative questions about Obama.
Barack Obama presidency
The RJC has been highly critical of the Obama administration's policies. The group has questioned Obama's relationship with Zbigniew Brzezinski, Samantha Power, and Chas Freeman, whom it believes to "possess strong anti-Israel biases that are well documented". The RJC has also attacked Hillary Clinton for having made remarks regarding the United States putting more pressure on Israel. These arguments received attention and were significantly challenged by the National Jewish Democratic Council.
In the 2012 United States presidential election, casino owner and political contributor Sheldon Adelson supported the RJC in a campaign to win over Jewish voters in battleground states.
During the 2012 election campaign, the RJC stepped up activities to include direct mailings to specific Jewish people, claiming that a Jew should not vote for Obama, and that Jews that had voted for Obama will not do so again.
Support for Israel
The Republican Jewish Coalition is fervent in its support of and loyalty to the conservative governments of Israel.