CJF Board Opposed to Partisan Political Activity by Its Officers, Members in Their Official Capacity

The Board of Directors of the Council of Jewish Federations (CJF) has reaffirmed its standing policy against partisan political activity by any of its officers or members in their official capacities. The policy statement serves as a guideline to the affiliated Jewish community Federations. Discussion on the matter took place last week at the quarterly meeting of the Board.

“Jewish leaders, acting in their organizational capacities, past or present, should refrain from activity in behalf of or against any candidate for public office,” the official policy statement adopted by the Board reads. “Leaders, Board or staff members may exercise their rights as private citizens on behalf of a political candidate,” the statement continues, “but should do everything in their power to make clear that their political activity is in no way identified with Jewish agencies.”

Jewish Federations and other organizations should refrain from activities “such as making awards or citations to, or holding public functions in honor of, a political candidate during a campaign,” the Council’s statement noted. The Board called for continued prohibitions against the use of organizational mailing lists, the use