News Release

Friday, December 14, 2001

Without a word to its local leaders and members, the national office of the American Jewish Congress summarily fired Sheila Decter, who had been the executive director of the New England Region for 22 years. Members of the region saw the expulsion of Decter as another in a series of purges of regional AJCongress chapters that the national organization decided had failed to follow a national swing to the right. Similar purges have occurred in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, New Jersey, and Metro New York.

“Decter's dismissal was an attack on the New England leadership,” said AJCongress New England Region President, Sumner Z. Kaplan. “It was a direct reflection of the national office's move to the political right. Sheila has paid the price for our Region's standing up for civil rights and social justice despite changes at the national level."

“Their reasons changed almost daily,” said Judge Kaplan. “They initially claimed that she was too critical of conservative Attorney General John Ashcroft. They also said that they felt that both Sheila and I were too old. Later on, they claimed that we hadn’t met our fundraising goals, even though they never articulated those goals - and that our region had long been the most financially sound in the organization.”

Other long-term members of the AJCongress were equally critical of the move. “It’s clear that Ms. Decter’s abrupt discharge was part of a larger strategy,” said local attorney Andrew Fischer. “[AJCongress’ president] Jack Rosen wants to change Congress from a membership-based progressive organization into a centrally-controlled, conservative lobbying tool. They have no interest in local chapters.”

News of Decter’s firing drew harsh words from many outside AJCongress.

"For a non-profit organization summarily to dismiss a loyal, dedicated, hard-working employee of decades of service and outstanding reputation is itself a repudiation of the values for which the American Jewish Congress ought to stand - and which I had up until now thought it did stand," said Congressman Barney Frank.

"She is an extraordinarily effective leader in the Jewish community as well as one of the most persuasive and tireless advocates for social justice in New England,” said Jonathan Fine, founder of Physicians for Human Rights. “Sheila epitomizes what the leader of a social agency should be.”

Traditionally, the American Jewish Congress had been a progressive advocacy organization, pressing the cause civil rights. Over more than five decades, the Congress has been a major player in using law and social action to promote free speech, freedom of the press, fair housing, fair employment practices, the rights of women and minorities, and separation of church and state.

“AJCongress’ principles included democratic values and practice in the USA, in Israel, and in its own organizational structure. AJCongress' national leadership showed no respect for those values when, with no consultation with local leadership, they terminated our Director who is held in such high esteem in our area,” said Gail Simon, longtime member of both AJCongress' Pennsylvania and New England Regions.

One result has been the formation by members of Congress in New England of a new organization, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action. "Our new organization will be true to the progressive heritage of the American Jewish Congress," said Joel Z. Eigerman, a founder of the Alliance and vice-president of AJCongress and chair of its Commission on Law and Social Action. "JALSA," he added, "will focus on domestic policy issues at the local and national levels. It will be a strong, progressive, inter-generational voice within the Jewish community to speak out on social justice, civil rights, and civil liberties issues."

Two years ago, AJCongress disbanded their Los Angeles regional office. The members formed the Progressive Jewish Alliance. "The Progressive Jewish Alliance is extremely pleased by the creation of JALSA, and we eagerly welcome the opportunity to work with our colleagues on the East Coast. Said Douglas Mirell, President of the Progressive Jewish Alliance. “Especially at this precarious moment in our nation's history, it is vital that those within the Jewish community who care about civil rights and social justice stand together in speaking truth to power. We at PJA look forward to pursuing with JALSA the many issues of national and international significance as to which we have a common interest and a shared perspective."

###

More information about the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action is available at www.jewishalliance.org

Read our News Release announcing our formation