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JEWISH COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 131624104 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · jewishpublicaffairs.org
revenue
$2.9M
expenses
$1.9M
net assets
$2.0M
employees
28
volunteers
200
program ratio
55%
mission · from form 990

JCPA CONVENES AND MOBILIZES PARTNERS AND COALITIONS ACROSS COMMUNITIES TO COUNTER ANTISEMITISM AND BROADER HATE AND EXTREMISM, PROTECT DEMOCRACY, AND ADVANCE OUR SHARED VALUES RECOGNIZING THAT JEWISH SAFETY AND INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is a national advocacy organization that mobilizes coalitions to combat antisemitism, hate, and extremism while defending democratic norms and civil rights. It works to strengthen Jewish safety through policy advocacy, public education, and partnerships with institutions like teachers' unions and civil society groups. The organization emphasizes that Jewish safety and inclusive democracy are fundamentally interconnected.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $2.26M
    IN THE FACE OF IMMENSE SOCIETAL DIVISION, RESETTING THE TABLE (RTT) EQUIPS LEADERS AND COMMUNITIES WITH TOOLS TO ADDRESS ENTRENCHED POLITICAL DIVISIONS IN PUBLIC AND COMMUNAL LIFE. THROUGH RIGOROUS TRAINING, COURAGEOUS DIALOGUE, AND DEPOLARIZING MEDIA CONTENT, RTT ENABLES AMERICANS TO TRANSFORM POLITICAL DISAGREEMENT INTO A SOURCE OF STRENGTHENED RELATIONSHIP, CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND COLLECTIVE INSIGHT. RTT'S CORE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: TRAIN AND EDUCATE: RTT TRAINS FAITH LEADERS, ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, JOURNALISTS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS AND INFLUENCERS, EQUIPPING THEM TO FACILITATE AND CONVENE CONSTRUCTIVE COMMUNICATION ACROSS DIFFERENCES AND/OR PRODUCE NEW NARRATIVES FOSTERING EMPATHY, NORMS, AND HOPE FOR HEALTHY ENGAGEMENT ACROSS DIVIDES. CONVENE AND FACILITATE: RTT DESIGNS AND FACILITATES CAREFULLY CURATED FORUMS, OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COURAGEOUS, PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSION AND LEARNING ON CONTENTIOUS ISSUES. CREATE AND DISTRIBUTE: RTT PRODUCES FILMS AND OTHER CONTENT THAT ADVANCES MUTUAL RECOGNITION AND EMPATHY ACROSS POLITICAL AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVIDES.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Countering Online Antisemitism
Produces research and advocacy reports, such as "A Home for Hate," to expose and combat antisemitism on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Defending Voting Rights
Supports legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect democratic participation and prevent discriminatory voting laws.
Jewish American Security Act (JASA) Advocacy
Advocates for passage of the bipartisan Jewish American Security Act to strengthen security funding and civil rights protections for Jewish communities.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Advocacy
Urges Congress to fully fund and depoliticize the NSGP to ensure Jewish and other nonprofit institutions receive critical security support.
Partnerships with National Teachers’ Unions
Collaborates with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Education Association (NEA) to combat antisemitism in education through training, resource hubs, policy changes, and pilot programs.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 6 activities
    • Advocacy for NEA policy changes to protect Jewish delegates
      Worked with the National Education Association and its Jewish Affairs Caucus to advance rule changes for the 2026 Representative Assembly to better protect the safety and First Amendment rights of Jewish delegates.
    • Advocacy for federal legislation to combat antisemitism and protect democratic norms
      Advocates for the passage of the Jewish American Security Act and Senate Resolution 533 to enhance Jewish community safety, combat antisemitism, and reject white supremacy. Also supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act to protect voting rights and strengthen hate crime data collection.
    • Co-leadership of broad-based Jewish organizational statements on democracy and antisemitism
      Co-led and issued joint public statements with over 100 Jewish organizations expressing alarm over attacks on democratic norms and values, reinforcing collective advocacy for inclusive democracy.
    • Direct public education programming on antisemitism and Jewish identity
      Hosts public conversations, webinars, and events—often in partnership with the NEA and AFT—on antisemitism, Holocaust remembrance, Jewish American diversity, and the relationship between Jewish safety and democracy, including pilot continuing education programs with local unions.
    • National convening of Jewish coalitions for democratic engagement
      Serves as the national convener of Jewish coalitions, bringing together national and local partners to build a just and inclusive democracy and mobilizing the community relations network to advance democratic society.
    • Training program for Jewish educators on institutional advocacy
      Partnered with Project Shema to create a Changemakers Cohort that trains Jewish educators to engage institutional leaders on issues of antisemitism.
  • Criminal Justice Policy Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocacy for equitable and transparent funding for community safety programs
      Advocates for full, transparent, and non-politicized funding of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and restoration of government funding for hate crime prevention programs to support community safety, victim services, and justice.
  • Jewish Leadership Development 1 activity
    • Capacity building for local Jewish Community Relations Councils
      Provides professional development and capacity-building services to local Jewish Community Relations Councils, including skills training, crisis consulting, peer mentoring, and onboarding programs.
  • Combating Antisemitism and Hate 1 activity
    • Development and distribution of educator resources on Jewish heritage and antisemitism
      Launched a free educator resource hub in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, providing K–12 classroom-ready materials on Jewish history, antisemitism, and Jewish American diversity.
  • Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
    • Leadership of Action Networks for legislative and community advocacy
      Leads Action Networks through Steering Committees that mobilize stakeholders for advocacy and engagement on legislation and community programming.
  • Immigrant Rights Advocacy & Policy Reform 1 activity
    • Opposition to policies undermining democratic integrity and marginalized communities
      Advocates against the SAVE Act, MEGA Act, and similar legislation viewed as promoting discriminatory policies and election conspiracy theories. Opposes military deployment in cities, funding structures for ICE and CBP, travel bans targeting Muslim-majority countries, and government actions endangering transgender youth.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Research publication on digital antisemitism
      Co-published a report with the Center for Countering Digital Hate documenting the spread of antisemitism on X (formerly Twitter), and co-hosted a webinar to launch and discuss the findings.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.90M
Contributions & grants$2.86M99%
Program service revenue$35K1%
Investment income$4080%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.90M
Program expenses55%
Admin / overhead38%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$1.32M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.10M
Cash$2.01M
Investments$0
Liabilities$79K
Net assets$2.02M
Liquid reserves12.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +37.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 4
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
AMY SPITALNICK CEO 40 $305K
KAREN ELAM FORMER COO 40 $202K
RORI PICKER NEISS SVP 40 $192K
BETSEY EPSTEIN CFO 40 $149K
board members · 21
  • ARLENE FICKLER — MEMBER
  • BRUCE TURNBULL — MEMBER
  • COREY SHAPIRO — MEMBER
  • DANIEL GOLDWIN — MEMBER
  • DAVID BOHM — IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
  • DAVID STEIRMAN — TREASURER
  • DEBORAH GOLDMAN — MEMBER
  • DEBORAH PRICE — MEMBER
  • JORDANA HORN — MEMBER
  • JUDY SMITH — MEMBER
  • KAREN KASNER — MEMBER
  • KIYOMI KOWALSKI — MEMBER
  • LESLIE ANDERSON — MEMBER
  • LESLIE DANNIN ROSENTHAL — CHAIR
  • LESLIE KIRBY — MEMBER
  • MAGDA SCHALER-HAYNES — MEMBER
  • SHAWN LANDRES — SECRETARY
  • STACY BURDETT — MEMBER
  • SUSAN ABRAVANEL — MEMBER
  • TYLER GREGORY — MEMBER
  • WALTER SPIEGAL — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 29

Who they work with

  • American Federation of Teachers Partner — Partnered on public programs, resource hubs, and pilot programs to address antisemitism and support Jewish educators.
  • American Federation of Teachers Partner — Partnered to launch a free educator resource hub with materials on Jewish history, antisemitism, and Jewish American diversity.
  • Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Bnai Keshet Partner — Co-sponsors a JCPA event on antisemitism and democracy.
  • Center for Countering Digital Hate Partner — Collaborated with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs to launch a report on antisemitism on X.
  • Center for Countering Digital Hate Partner — Teamed up with JCPA to publish a report on antisemitism on X (formerly Twitter).
  • Congress Government — Primary legislative body being lobbied to pass or oppose specific legislation related to civil rights, security, and hate crime prevention.
  • HIAS Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • J Street Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Jewish Community Relations Councils Partner — Collaborates with JCRCs as key stakeholders in leading and mobilizing the Action Networks.
  • Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Jews For Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ) Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Montclair Jewish Community Relations Council Partner — Co-sponsors a JCPA event on antisemitism and democracy.
  • National Council of Jewish Women Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • National Education Association Partner — Co-hosts a webinar with JCPA on antisemitism and Holocaust remembrance.
  • National Education Association Partner — Collaborated on webinars, resource hubs, policy changes, and public statements to counter antisemitism and strengthen inclusive education.
  • New York Jewish Agenda (NYJA) Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Project Shema Partner — Partnered to launch a Changemakers Cohort training Jewish educators to engage on antisemitism within their institutions.
  • Rabbinical Assembly Coalition — Co-led a statement with JCPA and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Coalition — Co-led a statement with JCPA and the Rabbinical Assembly expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Senator Jacky Rosen Government — Participates in a JCPA-hosted briefing on the Jewish American Security Act.
  • T'ruah Partner — Joint signatory on a public statement expressing concern over attacks on democratic norms.
  • Temple B'nai Jeshurun Partner — Co-sponsors a JCPA event on antisemitism and democracy.
  • Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel Partner — Co-sponsors a JCPA event on antisemitism and democracy.
  • Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Partner — Co-developed a resource hub with AFT and JCPA to support educators teaching Jewish heritage and antisemitism.
  • Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Partner — Partnered with JCPA and the American Federation of Teachers to launch a free educator resource hub.
  • national and local partners Partner — Collaborates with national and local partners to address community issues and advance shared values.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Civil Rights Infrastructure Investment
    methodology: civil_rights_investment
    By restoring investment in civil rights tools and separating security funding from immigration enforcement, we protect Jewish and vulnerable communities from hate, because equitable and accountable resource allocation strengthens community-led safety solutions and avoids harmful state overreach.
  • Coalition-Based Relational Approach
    methodology: coalition-based-relational-approach
    By building coalitions through relational work with diverse communities and institutions, we achieve shared safety and democratic goals, because durable change emerges from trust-based partnerships rather than zero-sum frameworks.
  • Intercommunity Solidarity Model
    methodology: intercommunity_solidarity
    By fostering solidarity across communities, we advance safety and freedom for Jews and all people, because Jewish security is fundamentally interconnected with the health of democracy, pluralism, and the safety of all marginalized groups.