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Reminder: "Can the Majority Take All?" on Tuesday |
We would appreciate your calling us at 215-635-2554 or e-mail us at
jspan@jspan.org so we can order the right amount of food for our guests.
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JSPAN Launches Ethnic & Religious Conflict Policy Center |
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On Monday, February 27th, the Jewish Social Policy Action Network launched the Ethnic & Religious Conflict Policy Center. Chaired by JSPAN Board member Deanne Comer, the policy center has enlisted Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and Ian Lustick, Professor of Political Science at University of Pennsylvania, as experts in the field.
The Ethnic & Religious Conflict Policy Center serves as a voice of conscience on behalf of the victimized around the world. By disseminating knowledge of the issues in these tragic conflicts, such as the ongoing genocide in Darfur, JSPAN hopes to raise awareness and promote strategies for change.
[read more]
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A Rally for Equality |
 On February 6, 2006, Senate Bill 1084 was introduced to the Pennsylvania Senate. This bill, in addition to defining marriage in the Commonwealth as "between one man and one woman," would also strip benefits granted to civil partners of state employees.
The Center for Lesbian & Gay Civil Rights is coordinating the Value All Families Coalition Rally opposing the anti-family state constitutional amendment. The rally will be held on March 14th in Harrisburg. The rally will include lobby training and legislative visits.
For more information please visit the Center for Lesbian & Gay Civil Rights.
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Gerrymandering Hits the Courts |
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In 2003, embattled ex-Majority Leader Tom Delay orchestrated an eggregious redistricting effort in Texas. The result of the unnecessary mid-decade redistricting was the ouster of five Democratic incumbents from Congress.
The effects of political gerrymandering on our democratic system have hit home as well. Only 10% of State House seats are considered competitive. On the national level, only 10 Congressional elections were decided by fewer than five percentage points. In addition, the now-infamous redistricting process in Pennsylvania has carved Montgomery County up into six different US Congressional Districts. Although the Supreme Court ruled political gerrymandering was not illegal, Justice Anthony Kennedy left the door open for future challenges based on partisanship.
New York Times Editorial: The Texas Gerrymander
Cornell Law School: Vieth et al. v. Jubelirer
Fair Vote Program: Defeating Pa. Incumbents Won't Be Easy
The Pennsylvania Marketing and Planning Center: Representative Government in Pennsylvania?
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Want to Join?
To become a voting JSPAN member, please go to www.JSPAN.org. On the right side of your screen you will be able to start a secure transaction and become a voting member.
Make all checks payable to:
JSPAN
2033 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
JSPAN Officers
Jeffrey Pasek
President
Kenneth Fox
Vice President
Kenneth Myers
Vice President
Joel Beaver
Treasurer
Stewart Weintraub
Secretary & General Counsel
Directors:
Susan Myers, Chair
Connie Beresin
Deanne Comer
Hon. Ruth Damsker
Helen Fox
Nancy Gordon
Jerome Kaplan
Eve Klothen
Judah Labovitz
Ruth Laibson
Theodore Mann
Sidney Margulies
Joshua Pasek
Jared Solomon
Rabbi David Straus
Barry Ungar
Rabbi Avi Winokur
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In This Issue