ABOUT:
Advocacy in Action is a newly launched initiative of Jewish Federation Los Angeles that will strengthen our community’s engagement in political activism. The initiative will provide Jewish leaders with an exciting, intensive eight-month training program aimed at developing participants’ advocacy muscles, while exploring the legislative priorities of the Federation and the Jewish community.
Participants will learn what makes advocacy effective and impactful through intimate meetings with elected officials and community leaders, and through one-on-one sessions with mentors from the Federation’s leadership. Participants will also learn the intricacies of the government landscape at the city and state levels and will gain the skills and expertise needed to represent Jewish community issues to elected officials.
HIGHLIGHTS OF ADVOCACY IN ACTION:
- Monthly meetings with community leaders, elected officials, and academics
- Welcome conference on effective advocacy and the Jewish community’s legislative priorities, November 12, 2023
- Participation in the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California Capitol Summit, May 14-15, 2024
- Optional participation in The Jewish Federations of North America’s Washington Conference, February 28-March 1, 2024
- Joining a dynamic cohort of Jewish leaders committed to Jewish communal issues
- Opportunities to share best advocacy practices, success stories, and lessons learned
- Mentorship from Federation’s leadership network, with experience in advocacy, government relations, and Jewish communal issues
- Participation in cohort-led project to connect the Federation and Jewish community to candidates running for political office
IDEAL CANDIDATES:
You are a Jewish leader in your 30’s or 40’s who cares about addressing the needs of the Jewish community via advocacy and government relations. You have a passion for and experience with politics, policy, and developing relations with elected officials. You are excited by representing the Federation to elected officials and strengthening the Federation’s ties with them. You also care deeply about issues of importance to the Federation, including: Jewish community security, supporting Holocaust survivors and Holocaust education, caring for Jews in need, Israel, Zionism, combating antisemitism and hate directed at all communities, and tikkun olam (repairing the world).
PROGRAM GOALS:
- Understand complexities around government and advocacy
- Develop mastery of the legislative process and cycle, including how bills are passed and how programs receive funding
- Learn about elected officials’ priority areas, and how elected officials advance legislative priorities
- Acquire communication and outreach skills to effectively convey the needs, priorities, and values of the Jewish community to elected officials and staff
- Foster a powerful network of advocates to amplify impact and voice of the Jewish community
- Become an active listener who understands the needs of elected officials and/or other communities
- Develop the expertise to represent the Federation to government leaders so they can more effectively mobilize around Jewish community advocacy needs
PROGRAM DATES:
- Wednesday, November 8, 2023, welcome reception, 6pm
- Sunday, November 12, 2023, all day kick-off conference
- Wednesday December 13, 2023, 6-9pm
- Wednesday January 3, 2024, 6-9pm
- Wednesday February 7, 2024, 6-9pm
- Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 6-9pm
- Wednesday April 10, 2024, 6-9pm
- Wednesday May 8, 2024, 6-9pm
- Wednesday June 5, 2024, 6-9pm
To learn more and apply, contact Rachel Wallace, Director, Civic Engagement, at RWallace@JewishLA.org.
Applications close on October 17th, 2023