Emily Georges Gottfried, Area Executive Director
Michael Simon, Chapter President

Who We Are

Founded in 1979, the Portland, Oregon Chapter of the American Jewish Committee is committed to our community through intergroup activities. Some examples include the Coalition Against Hate Crimes, the Oregon Holocaust Educational Memorial, and the exhibit "Anne Frank: A History for Today" seen by nearly 60,000 people in April 2002. 

Upcoming Events

John Prendergast On the Crisis in Darfur

Saturday, Arpil 5, 2008
8:00 pm
Portland First United Methodist Church, SW 18th and Jefferson, Portland

John Prendergast is Co-Chair of the ENOUGH Project, an initiative to end genocide and crimes against humanity.  During the Clinton administration, John was involved in a number of peace processes in Africa while he was Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council and Special Advisor at the Department of State.  John also has worked for members of Congress, the United Nations, human rights organizations, and think tanks.  He has authored eight books on Africa, including “Not on Our Watch”, a New York Times bestseller he co-authored with Don Cheadle.    John has helped produce two documentaries on Northern Uganda and been involved in three documentaries on Sudan.  He has been part of three episodes of CBS’ 60 Minutes which earned an Emmy Award for Best Continuing News Coverage and is helping to develop two additional episodes.  John travels regularly to Africa’s war zones on fact-finding missions, peace-making initiatives, and awareness-raising trips.  He is a visiting professor at the University of San Diego and the American University in Cairo.

PRESENTED BY—
AJC Oregon Chapter, Amnesty International, Cambodian-American Community of Oregon, Clackamas High School Human Rights Club, Havurah Shalom, Humanists of Greater Portland, Kol Shalom Community For Humanistic Judaism, Oregon Holocaust Resource Center, Oregon State University, Portland Coalition for Genocide Awareness, Portland First United Methodist Church, Portland State University, University of Portland, and ENOUGH

The event is free, though donations will be accepted

For more information call 503-295-6761

2008 American Jewish Committee InterGroup Passover Seder
Sunday, April 13, 2008
5:30  pm

The public is invited to attend the seventh annual AJC Community InterGroup Passover Seder.    Dinner and ceremonial foods will be served.  The seder will be led by Rabbi Michael Cahana and Cantor Judith Schiff.

Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders
RSVP is required. Please call the AJC office, 503-295-6761

$10 per person donation requested.

2008 Human Relations Award Dinner honoring Senator Ron Wyden
Jordan Schnitzer, Chairman

Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Reception at 6 pm and dinner at 7 pm

The Benson Hotel, Portland
For questions or to reserve for the dinner, call the AJC office at 503-295-6761.

• Ongoing dialogues with the Catholic, Latter Day Saints, African- American, and Latino communities.
• Partnerships with the Inter-Religious Action Network of Washington County and the Oregon Faith
• The annual AJC Intergroup Seder welcomes participants from all of our intergroup partnerships together to learn more about the Jewish festival of freedom.

• The Chapter hosts speakers focusing on Israel including, Israeli Consul General David Akov.
• AJC's Project Interchange brings leaders from the general community to Israel to meet people in similar fields and to show them the country from broad perspective. Recent participants from Oregon include Clara Padilla Andrews from El Hispanic News and Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.

• The Memorial (a project of AJC) was dedicated in August 2004. The Memorial, located in Washington Park, will serve as a permanent reminder of the Holocaust and instilling in each of us that we all have a responsibility to help eradicate hate and bigotry.

• The Coalition Against Hate Crimes (founded by the Chapter) convenes law enforcement representatives and community advocates monthly. The Coalition and the Chapter sponsored the statewide Oregon Hate Crimes Conference in June 2006.
• The exhibit "No Easy Road: Unlearning Discrimination in Oregon" continues to tour the state, under the auspices of the Chapter.
• The Chapter sponsors "Unto Every Person There is a Name" at Pioneer Courthouse Square, as AJC and community leaders commemorate Yom HaShoah each year by reading names of victims.
• Fighting anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry is a crucial mission of the American Jewish Committee.
  To obtain a free button, please email koplins@ajc.org

• The Chapter co-founded and co-convened the Oregon Faith Roundtable Against Hunger, engaging diverse faith communities throughout the state in exploring solutions to the root causes of hunger. Join us for the fifth annual Harvest of Hope event this fall.
• AJC is a lead sponsor and coordinator for Interfaith Advocacy Day, held during every legislative session at the state capitol in Salem. Hundreds of people from many faith backgrounds attend. Participants meet with legislators regarding social service and education issues.

AJC Human Relations Award, Maurice D. Sussman Memorial Award, and Judge Learned Hand Award
The Chapter presents awards to deserving community members on three occasions throughout the year.

• Recent past honorees for the Human Relations Award include the attorneys of Stoel Rives LLP, Dr. Peter Kohler of Oregon Health & Science University, Michele Girts of CH2MHILL, U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, Bob Walsh of Walsh Construction, and Maj. General Raymond F. Rees..
  
• The Sussman Award is given to people in the Jewish community to honor those individuals whose personal lives and community contributions exemplify the high standards set by Maurice Sussman and the American Jewish Committee. Recent recipients include Elaine and Arnold Cogan, Jerry and Bunny Sadis, Ken Lewis, Hal and Ruth Saltzman, Stan and Judy Blauer, and Stan and Beverly Eastern, Jake and Chella Kryszek, and Merle Greenstein.
  
• The Learned Hand Award honors leaders in the legal field for professional excellence and contributions to the legal community. Past recipients include Don Marmaduke, Barrie J. Herbold, Jake Tanzer, David Frohnmayer, and the 13 attorneys who defended prisoners in Guantamo Detention Center. In 2004 Román Hernández became the first recipient of the Learned Hand Emerging Leadership award.

What They're Saying in Oregon About AJC

"There is no doubt that the AJC is one of the more respected and effective voices on Capitol Hill - a status that was achieved because of the hard work of the men and women in local chapters..."
Senator Gordon Smith

"More than anything else, the American Jewish Committee has helped establish relationships within the community by being that open door through which hundreds have walked to find a friend on the other side."
Mary Jo Tully, Chancellor
Archdiocese of Portland

"By advancing the principles of human rights, democracy, pluralism, and respect for diverse cultural and religious heritage, AJC is significantly enhancing our quality of life today and for future generations...."
Gregory A. Chaillé, President
Oregon Community Foundation

"AJC is the group we all look to... at OHSU we strive to follow your example."
Dr. Peter Kohler, President
Oregon Health & Science University

"For almost a full century, the American Jewish Committee has proven its commitment to combating bigotry, bringing all racial groups to the table, and forging ahead to ensure freedom and human rights for all peoples."
Senator Mark O. Hatfield