June 14-15, 2026 | New York City
JCPA 2026 National Summit
Event Schedule
Event Schedule
We’re excited to welcome you to JCPA’s 2026 National Summit. Below you’ll find the full agenda for the Summit, including session descriptions, speakers, and program details.
Please note that additional logistical information will be shared with registered attendees via email prior to the event. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email jcpainfo@thejcpa.org.
We look forward to gathering with you in New York this June.
Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Leslie Dannin Rosenthal, Board Chair of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Walter Spiegel, Incoming Board Chair of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Dr. Andrew Rehfeld, President of Hebrew Union College
At a time when democratic norms are under strain and polarization fuels fear, Jewish communal leadership is being called to embody moral clarity and principled action. This opening plenary explores what it means to lead with courage in an era of rising authoritarianism, societal division, and threats to vulnerable communities. Drawing on personal narrative, Jewish ethical tradition, and lessons from contemporary civic struggles, this conversation will examine how conviction, risk-taking, and communal responsibility can guide us through a dangerous moment for democracy. Participants will consider what courageous leadership looks like today—and how the Jewish community can help chart a path toward a more just and resilient future.
Panelists: Ami Fields-Meyer, author of On Courage and former White House senior advisor; Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute; Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Moderator: Kara A. Wilson, Chief Strategy Officer at Project Shema
1. Beyond One Story: Multi-Narrative Travel as a Catalyst for Dialogue
In increasingly polarized environments, Jewish community relations work calls for tools that foster empathy, complexity, and sustained dialogue across difference. This breakout session explores the “Multi Narrative” educational model, pioneered in the travel space by entrepreneur Aziz Abu Sarah. Drawing on his background as a Palestinian raised amid conflict, and his professional work designing itineraries across Israel-Palestine and in other divided societies, Aziz demonstrates how travel that honors multiple narratives within a shared reality can build relationships, cultivate trust, and foster peace. Participants will consider how lessons from this field can inform Jewish community relations, coalition work, and civic engagement at home, even in moments of deep disagreement.
Speaker: Aziz Abu Sarah, Co-Founder of InterAct International and MEJDI Tours
Moderator: Margaret Norman, Director of JCRC of the Birmingham Jewish Federation
2. Reimagining Jewish-Muslim Relations After 10/7
Over the past decade, the realities of our current politics and renewed tensions between diverse religious communities have created new challenges that ask us to reimagine how we engage in interfaith relationships. This work reached a crisis moment on and after October 7, 2023, as Jews, Muslims, Arab Christians, and others were deeply impacted by the horrifying violence and suffering in Israel and Palestine and fearful of rising hate and violence against their communities here in the U.S. Meanwhile, white Christian nationalists exploited this pain and exacerbated existing divisions around Israel/Palestine in service of an authoritarian agenda that relies on despair and division. This workshop will explore how Muslims, Jews, and allies might reimagine interfaith coalition building in 2026 to uphold the values of pluralism that underpin American democracy and to effectively counter authoritarian strategies that only work if we are divided.
Speaker: Maggie Siddiqi, Senior Advisor at Interfaith Alliance
3. Faith and Religious Freedom: How Jewish Values Shape our Advocacy for Reproductive Freedom and LGBTQ+ Rights
Legislation harming the trans community, curbing LGBTQ+ rights, and restricting reproductive freedom is progressing with alarming regularity in statehouses around the country. These laws are part of an intentional Christian nationalist agenda and conflict with our Jewish values and the protections guaranteed by the Constitution. Join this session with Keshet and National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) to learn how the fight against antisemitism, the fight for religious freedom, and anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion efforts are interconnected. Together, we can use our Jewish values and voices for effective advocacy and coalition-building.
Speakers: Lanie Cohen, Community Mobilization Manager at Keshet; Darcy Hirsh, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy at National Council of Jewish Women
Introduction: Tracey Labgold, Board Member of Jewish Council for Public Affairs
4. Building Bridges: Practical Strategies for Jewish Community Relations on Today’s Campuses
College campuses are complex, fast changing environments where relationship building across differences is both urgently needed and increasingly challenging. This session offers a hands on exploration of how community relations principles can be effectively applied in campus settings to strengthen partnerships, reduce polarization, and create space for authentic engagement among diverse student communities. This workshop focuses on concrete tools for coalition building with student groups representing other communities; strategies for navigating tensions around Israel-Palestine without withdrawing from engagement; and approaches for countering anti-normalization pressures while empowering students to foster trust, dialogue, and shared civic purpose. Participants will leave with practical frameworks, messaging approaches, and relationship building techniques tailored to the realities of campus life and the needs of Jewish students seeking connection, safety, and partnership.
Speakers: Jeremy Burton, CEO of JCRC of Greater Boston; Samantha Przybisiki, student leader at Brandeis University
Moderator: Julia Jassey, co-founder and CEO of Jewish on Campus
1. The Weaponization of Federal Civil Rights: States Stepping Into the Breach
The civil rights movement was built on the idea that an empowered federal government was necessary to enforce equal protections and opportunities, particularly in states that were unwilling. But, an increased weaponization of the FBI and DOJ has undermined the confidence in the civil rights infrastructure we built, forcing some to abandon faith in institutions like the FBI to be a neutral enforcer. This session will explore the future of civil rights, including where things have gone wrong and what fixes at the state and federal level need to be pursued to improve or fix the situation. Join us to learn more about what steps states need to take now to compensate for a federal government that ignores civil rights concerns and is even attacking civil rights groups and minority communities, what role and powers for the federal government we should moving forward, and more.
Speakers: Michael Campion, Deputy Director of the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights; Ryan Greer, Chief Strategy Officer at PERIL and Chair of Bedrock; Michael Lieberman, Director of Field Advocacy at National Council of Jewish Women
Moderator: Jill Dash, Chief of Staff at Jewish Council for Public Affairs
2. Messaging Democracy: Framing Narratives, Building Calls to Action, and Generating Momentum for Change
Inclusive, pluralistic democracy in America is under threat — and Jews know that our communities, and the safety of all communities, are only secure when democracy is secure. But talking about democracy can be complicated — mired in political ideologies, saddled with the baggage that comes with the news of the day, and buried below more immediate-feeling concerns. Participants in this session will learn the best ways to frame the importance of a strong, secure democracy for local communities — and how to build calls-to-action that communities will actually participate in.
Speaker: David Solimini, Executive Director of Democracy Communications Collaborative
Moderator: Blake Goodman, Director of Communications at Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Introduction: Stacy Burdett, Board Member of Jewish Council for Public Affairs
3. Confronting Campus Antisemitism While Defending Inclusive Civic Values
College campuses are unique civic spaces where democratic ideals, civil liberties, and student identities intersect—often under intense pressure. As concerns about antisemitism rises across the United States, campus communities face the challenge of safeguarding Jewish students while navigating institutional norms that differ from the broader public sphere, including academic freedom policies, speech regulations, and the dynamics of student activism. This workshop examines the relationship between antisemitism and broader anti-democratic trends and offers strategies for countering antisemitism in ways that protect Jewish students, strengthen cross-community relationships, uphold democratic values, and sustain the open dialogue essential to a thriving academic environment.
Speakers: Beth Gellman-Beer, Esq., co-founder of Evergreen Education Solutions and former regional director of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Philadelphia regional office; Ellie Sweet, former co-Chair of J Street U at American University
Moderator: Michael Berkowitz, Partnerships Manager at Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Introduction: Magda Schaler-Haynes, Board Member of Jewish Council for Public Affairs
4. Safeguarding Values While Securing Grants: The Legal Side of NSGP and DEIA
As nonprofits navigate both rising security needs and rising political scrutiny, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) has become a critical tool—and a source of confusion. This session offers a clear, practical primer on how Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) fits within the legal requirements and limitations of NSGP. Drawing on JCPA’s national work and ongoing guidance to communities, we will explore: What program rules actually require, what they restrict, what’s legally protected, and where organizations must tread carefully amid intensified backlash. Participants will leave with a grounded understanding of NSGP terms and conditions, real-world compliance scenarios, and strategies for responsibly integrating DEIA values while staying well within federal expectations.
Speakers: Donya Khadem, Lawyer at Legal Defense Fund; Ben Suarato, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs at Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Introduction: Walter Spiegel, Incoming Board Chair of Jewish Council for Public Affairs
1. Staying in the Work: Advancing Jewish Interests Through Social Justice
In a moment of heightened division within Jewish communities, many leaders are being challenged to justify continued engagement in broader social justice efforts. Critics argue that securing the Jewish future and combating antisemitism require withdrawing from coalitions and focusing solely on Jewish concerns, while others believe that sustained partnership across communities is both a Jewish value and a strategic necessity. Drawing on the community organizing approach developed by JOIN for Justice (the Jewish Organizing Institute and Network), this session offers practical frameworks for navigating these difficult conversations. Participants will learn tools to move beyond debate, clarify core Jewish interests, engage respectfully across deep disagreement, and articulate how continued engagement in justice work can strengthen Jewish safety, power, and values—especially now.
Speakers: Jeannie Appleman, Senior Trainer and Organizer at JOIN for Justice and the National Lead for the SEA Change initiative
Introduction: Corey Shapiro, Board Member of Jewish Council for Public Affairs
2. Navigating Contentious Political Moments: Strategy, Compliance, and Community Trust
In polarized election cycles, community relations leaders must make strategic choices about political engagement that can carry significant legal, reputational, and relational consequences. This session explores how issue advocacy, endorsements, and other forms of political activity—within existing regulatory requirements—can influence community trust, coalition dynamics, and long-term institutional credibility. Participants will examine common trade-offs organizations face in high-stakes moments, particularly when issues related to Israel or antisemitism become sources of heightened tension, and will learn best practices for navigating disagreement while remaining compliant, values-aligned, and focused on mission.
Speakers: David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California (formerly JPAC); Amy Rutkin, Principal at Rutkin Strategies
Moderator: Douglas Greene, Director of Jewish Community Relations at the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Introduction: Bruce Turnbull, Board Member of Jewish Council for Public Affairs
3. If ICE Comes: Preparing Jewish Nonprofits and Communities
Changes in immigration enforcement are raising urgent concerns and questions in communities, including how can we be most impactful in responding and what are your rights and responsibilities if ICE shows up? This session offers expert analysis of the status of immigration laws and enforcement, including a focus on practical ways Jewish nonprofits should or can engage, legal obligations, staff training, and solidarity with immigrant communities.
Speakers: Maribel Hernández Rivera, National Director of Immigrant Community Strategies at ACLU; Merrill Zack, Vice President of Community Engagement at HIAS and Executive Director of HIAS NY
Moderator: Lynn Davis, Interim Executive Director of Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center
4. The Federal Food Safety Net Frays, and The Strapped State Budget Pays
Since unprecedented SNAP cuts were enacted in the budget and tax law last summer, millions of food insecure Americans have lost their food benefits. As state agencies and emergency food providers (including many in the Jewish community) scramble to meet the growing need, hunger is skyrocketing. As state budgeters brace for additional provisions of the law to take effect, experts anticipate millions more — including children, veterans, working parents, immigrants, seniors, people with disabilities — will lose the assistance they need to put food on the table. Led by experts from MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, the session will break down the law and its impacts, outline effective advocacy and community mobilization strategies, and offer election-year tactics — along with concrete tools — to help communities protect and advocate for the most vulnerable.
Speakers: Sammi Goldsmith, Deputy Director of Public Policy at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger; Rabbi Joel Pitkowsky, Rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom in Teaneck, NJ and Past Chair of the Board of MAZON
Introduction: Susan Abravanel, Board Member of Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Allyship is not a title to claim; it is a courageous discipline that demands humility, accountability, and sustained commitment. This session explores the transformative power of standing with others when the work is challenging, when truths are uncomfortable, and when relationships require repair rather than retreat. Together we will examine how communities nurture trust across difference, confront harm without abandoning one another, and build partnerships rooted in integrity and shared purpose. In a time that calls for deep resolve, this conversation lifts up the strength that emerges when we choose solidarity over separation and collective action over despair.
Speakers: Pastor Carl Day, Pastor of Culture Changing Christians Worship Center in Philadelphia; Rabbi Sandra Lawson, Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice; Haris Tarin, Vice President of Policy and Programming, Muslim Public Affairs Council
Moderator: Rabba Rori Picker Neiss, Senior Vice President and Rabbi in Residence at Jewish Council for Public Affairs
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