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The Jewish Federations of North America's Washington office

Our Washington office promotes the interests and concerns of The Jewish Federations of North America, the umbrella organization uniting 157 Jewish Federations and 400 independent communities, to members of Congress and the Administration. Jewish Federations of North America Washington works to ensure that the voice of the Jewish federations is a prominent force in health and human service policy decisions. 

Download our brochure to learn more about the work of Jewish Federations of North America Washington.


Our Public Policy Priorities 

Our Washington office advocates on issues of concern to the Jewish federations, including long-term care and prescription drug benefits for Jewish elderly, assistance to Jewish families at risk and strengthening the capacity of the not-for-profit sector.  Following are just some example of how Jewish Federations of North America Washington promotes the interests of the Jewish federations system in Washington, D.C. 
Click here for our public policy priorities

Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities
Faced with the prospects of increased service demands and associated costs with the expected doubling of the older adult population over the next 20 years, Jewish Federations of North America launched in 2000 its National NORCS Aging In Place Initiative to test the efficacy and adaptability of the NORC-SSP paradigm. The Initiative, funded through federal demonstration grants and a host of local matching sources, involves more than 40 projects in 25 states that are projected to serve upwards of 20,000 older adults during the demonstration periods.  To learn more about NORCs, please visit the NORC National Aging in Place Initiative website at www.norcs.com.

Washington Office E-newsletter
Throughout the year, Jewish Federations of North America Washington distributes E-newsletters updating our network on the work of the Domestic Affairs Pillar and Public Policy department.  Included in each newsletter is an interview with an elected official, a spotlight on a community program, and a legislative update from Washington.  To view the most recent newsletter please click here.

Advocacy in Washington
Every year Jewish Federations of North America Washington brings hundreds of volunteer and professional leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C. Participants of Jewish Federations of North America's Washington Missions Program come from far and near to tell their representatives about concerns facing their local communities.

Contact the Jewish Federations of North America Washington Office at 202-785-5900 if you have any questions about our advocacy work or drop us a line to receive policy updates and action alerts. To read the biography of Willam Daroff, Vice President for Public Policy & Director of the Washington Office, click here.


Congressional recesses provide an excellent opportunity for you to visit your Members of Congress and their staffs in their home offices, reintroduce yourselves, and talk about your federation’s priorities.  Congress is expected to leave DC on July 31 for their “summer work period” and will be at home until Labor Day.  We urge you to set up meetings with your Members now.  Plan to discuss with them and urge support for:   

  • Renewal of Tax Extenders, particularly the IRA Charitable Rollover   
  • Extension of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) as state fiscal relief
  • Support for Senior Transportation 
  • Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP) 
  • Iran Sanctions
Read the full Alert

The Jewish Federations of North America
Legislative Update
Summer 2010

With Congress out of session for the Summer District Work Period (“August Recess”), The Jewish Federations of North America Washington Office legislative team is providing this update on our legislative and policy priority accomplishments and ongoing efforts during the Second Session of the 111th Congress.
The update covers a range of issues we have completed this Session or will continue to advocate for in the fall, including: 

• Appropriations on Aging
• Homeland Security
• Housing
• Transportation
• Charitable Giving
• Foreign Policy
• Health & Long-Term Care Issues  

Read the update here.