Domestic Policy

AJC’s Domestic Policy Commission is committed to ensuring that the United States remains a vibrant and pluralistic democracy and a safe and hospitable environment for all.  In keeping with Jewish values, the Commission advances policies and initiatives that will strengthen American democracy and pluralism and promote social justice, civic engagement, opportunity for all, and combat bigotry and anti-Semitism. Its work is accomplished through its standing committees on legal, civil rights, church-state and energy issues, and through ad hoc task forces appointed to address other emerging issues. The Belfer Center for American Pluralism is a component of the Domestic Policy Commission, as is the domestic agenda of legislative affairs.

The Commission achieves its goals through legislative advocacy, public education and research efforts, amicus briefs filed in the courts, and outreach to coalitional partners. The following criteria serve as guidance for determining when the Commission will engage on a particular issue:

(1) Is there a direct Jewish stake in the issue?
(perhaps based on our religious tradition or our historical experience)  

(2) Is the issue at the center of a national debate that impacts the well-being of our pluralistic democracy?  

(3) Does AJC and/or the Jewish community have the ability to make a real contribution – a distinct voice?

(4) Is the issue important to our coalition partners?

Any one of these criterion may be sufficient to justify AJC engagement.