Sunday 15 March 2015

Jewish America


American Jewish Committee 


The AJC are a global Jewish advocacy organisation, formed in 1906. "With offices across the United States and around the globe, and partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide, AJC works to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and to advance human rights and democratic values for all." It is one of the oldest Jewish advocacy organisations in the United StatesBesides working on behalf of the Jewish people, the organisation has a history of fighting against forms of U.S. discrimination and working on behalf of social equality. AJC was established in 1906 by a small group of influential American Jews concerned about pogroms aimed at the Jewish population of Russia. The official committee statement on the purpose was to “prevent infringement of the civil and religious rights of Jews and to alleviate the consequences of persecution."


The homepage of their website shows up to date information involving their organisation and their actions within America as well as across the globe, as well as a focus on the Israeli elections, showing a strong relationship with Jewish people around the world along with giving them a legitimacy and proof of their intentions to support these people, exemplified by a quote from the President of Israel supporting the group. Also on the page is a link to how you can help combat Anti-Semitism, giving options in an efficient manner, making it feel easy for the reader to help their cause, and it does it in an un-patronising way which I feel helps the reader as they don't feel pressured to donate. 

The major thing that defines it as 'American' is its name being the American Jewish Committee. This declaration gives a clear statement of its identity and has remained in its name ever since their inception. However, this would most probably just be down to its location of origin and its hopes to become a national force. As far as defining itself as 'American' on the site, there is nothing blatant that jumps out. The site's focus is on stopping discrimination, so the idea of focussing on just the American Jewish population could be discriminating the others from everywhere else. On the 'About Us' page, the primary picture shows a group of people diverse in ethnicity, personifying their pursuits. Although, an argument could be made that this indefinitely portrays an American personality due to the 'melting pot' ideal of the country and its great variance of cultures contained within. However I do just think that this inclusiveness comes from the organisations history of aims as well as the support they offer everyone to this day and its image of being accessible by everyone, and not particularly just because of American identity.


The only real mention of solely the U.S. is their page saying that their head office is in New York and stating their presence in 22 states of the country, but the same page shows links to its other bases in the world, again trying not to pigeon-hole itself and broadening its base.

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