TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. EDUCATION

a. Educating the Synagogue Liaison
b. Educating the Community
c. Educating the Youth

III. DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL

a. The Key Contact Person
b. Synagogue Bulletin/Column -
    "Our Elected Officials Speak Out"
c. Meetings With Your Elected Officials
d. Relationship With Staff Person of Elected Official

IV. GETTING OTHERS INVOLVED

a. Meeting of Public Affairs Committee
b. Formation of the Response Task Force
c. Establishing a Community Bulletin Board

V. OU/IPA Liason Information Sheet

I. INTRODUCTION

Fifty years ago, our community was silent and a devastation too incalculable to fathom was unleashed. During the critical times in which we now live, more than ever, the Orthodox community must be much better prepared to respond to pressing others about issues of concern to the Orthodox Jewish community. If we are informed about how governmental affairs affect us and how we can affect the political process, we are better equipped to protect Jewish interests.

Accordingly, the Orthodox Union's Institute for Public Affairs (IPA) has prepared these guidelines on how to form a Committee for Public Affairs within your synagogue. To be most effective in mobilizing grassroots membership in your synagogue, there should be continuous contact among three entities: the IPA., your synagogue's Rabbi, and your synagogue's IPA liaison.

It is our hope and expectation to work with you so that we may better understand and reflect your views and at the same time involve you in local, state and national affairs.

As the policy analysis, political action, planning and programming arm of the nation's largest representative Orthodox Jewish organization, the IPA needs your commitment and devotion to assure the most pro-active agenda possible.

Please note: All policy statements, press releases and public pronouncements by a local IPA affiliate must be cleared in advance with the national IPA office in order that the Orthodox Union speak with a united voice.

II. EDUCATION

a. Educating the Synagogue Liaison

The synagogue liaison will receive regular mailings from the IPA. containing briefings, informative articles and editorials concerning domestic and international issues of Jewish concern. The mailings will also include updates of the IPA's latest information on the status of current issues, and materials for effective communication techniques.

b. Educating the Community

The liaison may select a particularly informative part of the IPA's mailing and arrange for the synagogue to distribute this information to synagogue members. Sometimes, individuals become involved because a specific issue is relevant to them. It would be easiest (and least expensive) to coordinate with the regular synagogue mailing, or to leave copies of the mailing in a place in the synagogue for people to take home.

c. Educating the Youth

Educating young members of the community is the most effective long-term method of creating a national, politically aware and politically active Orthodox Jewish community. Therefore, it is important, to the extent possible, to arrange for the synagogue youth program to incorporate a range of activities which will educate the youth and involve them in political action. If your synagogue has an NCSY chapter, IPA will coordinate activities with them. High school students may form an AISAC (American Israel Student Affairs Committee) in their high school. You may call 212-563-4000 x124 for information as to how to accomplish this.

III. Developing a Relationship with your Elected Official

a. The Key Contact Person

A key contact person should be selected for each elected official (Congressman, Senators, local officials). Their role is to write and call to discuss current issues and keep a file of that elected official's record on issues that concern the community. Communication should be maintained with officials at all levels -- today's city clerk may be tomorrow's mayor and state legislators become Congressmen, Senators and governors.

b. Synagogue Bulletin/Column - "Our Elected Officials Speak Out"

On a quarterly basis your synagogue bulletin should have a column which discusses the recent votes and public statements of your elected officials. A copy of the bulletin should be sent to the elected officials to let them know that the community is politically aware. It is important that we express our concern (and explain our position) to those who have adopted adverse positions.

c. Meetings with your Elected Officials

It is beneficial to arrange meetings in your synagogue with your elected officials to exchange views, discuss issues and to offer constructive suggestions and solutions. Let them know how you feel and what you consider important. You elect them -- help keep them accountable to you.

d. Relationship with the Staff Person of Elected Official

The liaison should attempt to establish a positive relationship with your Senators and the Congressman, and with their staff members. The liaison should not underestimate the importance of the staff members because it is the staff who do the research and make the most significant recommendations to our elected officials.

IV. Getting Others Involved

A liaison will be more effective (and his or her job will be much easier) in direct proportion to the number of devoted workers in the community who get involved. Ideally, there should be a "Synagogue Public Affairs Committee," or the liaison could form an informal committee. Individuals with particular interests, talents, or resources could be delegated the responsibility for particular projects. Furthermore, with some supervision, projects could be delegated to the youth of the synagogue (especially to those of high-school and college age). In the past, we have found that our youth are idealistic, reliable, creative and enthusiastically appreciate the importance of helping other Jews and Jewish communities.

a. Meeting of Public Affairs Committee

Personally ask 5-10 people to join your Synagogue Public Affairs Committee. In addition, send a mailing inviting all synagogue members to join the committee. Contact the IPA to arrange for a speaker at your kickoff meeting.

b. Formation of the Response Task Force

Ask individuals to commit to responding periodically (e.g. write one letter a month - a task that should not take more than 15 minutes). Post a list of the names on the synagogue bulletin board, so it now becomes more of a community project and a deeper and more keenly felt responsibility to actually write a letter is formed.

c. Establish a Community Bulletin Board

Ask for an IPA bulletin board to be set up in your synagogue. Post articles of interest, notices of IPA meetings, as well as IPA information, action memoranda, and talking points on important topics.

Please feel free to contact the IPA at any time for any assistance you may need. We can be reached by e-mail at ipa@ou.org or at 212-613-8128.

LIAISON INFORMATION SHEET

Yes, I agree to serve as the Institute for Public Affairs Liaison for my synagogue.

Name
_________________________________________________________

Address
_________________________________________________________

Phone - Day
_________________________________________________________

Evening
_________________________________________________________

Fax
_________________________________________________________

Synagogue Name
_________________________________________________________

Synagogue Address
_________________________________________________________

Synagogue Rabbi
_________________________________________________________

I plan to work on the following (Check those you are interested in pursuing):

1. Write periodic column in my synagogue's bulletin on positions and activities of local elected officials (information supplied by IPA)/

2. Submit articles to my synagogue's bulletin or for synagogue mailings on updates of current affairs (information supplied by IPA and/or JCRC).

3. Organize synagogue letter writing campaign to elected officials on issues of concern (IPA will supply information and talking points).

4. Organize synagogue telegram bank to respond on issues calling for immediate action.

5. Organize synagogue voter registration drive.

6. Form a synagogue committee for public affairs (IPA will send a manual with detailed suggestions and provide necessary materials and updates).

• IPA Front Page

• OU.ORG Front Page