American Jewish Committee

Programs: Government and international affairs: ajc is a leading global jewish advocacy organization, with access to diplomats, government officials, and religious leaders around the world. Ajc's unique global architecture spans six continents. As a result, ajc understands the issues in depth and maintains relationships with many of the world's key decision-makers, enabling it to have an impact on policy decisions. Ajc maintains international institutes that carry out its advocacy work throughout the world, including in africa, asia, europe, latin america, and the middle east. Ajc has offices or representation in berlin, brussels, jerusalem, paris, rome, sao paulo, sofia, southeast asia, tokyo, warsaw, and new delhi, and has formal partnership agreements with more than 30 jewish community organizations around the world. Ajc's washington, d. C. -based office of government and international affairs coordinates the organization's international offices and institutes, as well as its engagement with the u. S. Administration and congress. Much of this work consists of face-to-face meetings with administration officials and diplomats, and members of congress and their staff; organization of advocacy missions overseas and public events in the u. S. And other countries to advance advocacy objectives; preparation of briefing materials and messages for use by ajc members and staff across the country and around the world in advocacy settings; composing letters of support or concern to officials of the u. S. And other governments; contact with local and state officials on domestic and, when applicable, international concerns; coalition-building with organizations and associations that share ajc's values; commenting on pending legislation; policy research employed in the preparation of amicus briefs, online petitions, and media campaigns.

regional offices: ajc maintains 22 regional offices throughout the u. S. These offices establish and build key relationships with public officials, members of congress, and local representatives of foreign governments. Regional offices foster ties with inter-religious and inter-group organizations, as well as civil society generally, in order to build coalitions and mobilize the jewish community to advocate on ajc's priority issues. In 2017, these issues included: affirming israel's place in the world, combating global anti-semitism, countering the spread of radicalism and extremism, and fostering american global leadership. Regional offices periodically engage in national campaigns to raise public awareness of ajc priorities, such as the mayors united against anti-semitism initiative and governors united against bds (boycott, divestment, and sanctions). Regional offices also help raise funds for ajc.

communications: using a range of traditional and new media tools, ajc generates awareness and provides expert resources to amplify our advocacy efforts. Ajc's analysis and perspective on policy matters is conveyed via press releases, op-eds in national and international media, and ajc staff experts' commentary cited by major news outlets. Through robust social media accounts in english, french, spanish, and german, ajc interacts frequently with our followers, including many diplomats, elected officials, and media elites. They in turn share ajc's advocacy messages with their constituencies, allowing ajc to reach and engage millions around the globe.

ajc's 2017 other programmatic activities include: (1) interreligious and intergroup relations: ajc builds coalitions with like-minded partners to advance shared interests and values, and to further understanding. Ajc convened a muslim-jewish advisory council and a latino-jewish leadership council, for example, to work together on issues of mutual concern and importance. Together, ajc advocates collectively with its partners against anti-semitism and extremism, and for the wellbeing of the jewish people and the state of israel (e. G. , combating proposals to boycott israel). (2) contemporary jewish life: ajc strives to strengthen jewish continuity and to enrich the relationship of jews in the diaspora with the state of israel. Ajc takes public positions and holds symposia and missions addressing the most critical current issues (e. G. , the role of the chief rabbinate in israel).