Peru Earthquake Relief
A state of emergency remains in effect for the Pacific shore areas of Peru (Pisco, Canete, Chincha and Ica) damaged by the earthquake which had a magnitude 8.0 on the Richter scale. As of August 20, 2,700 have been injured and 561 Peruvians have died. The earthquake destroyed nearly 34,500 houses, leaving thousands of people homeless in one of the country's most impoverished areas. Infrastructure in the impacted region has been largely destroyed, resulting in electricity and water shortages and a scarcity of health facilities.
To find out how you can make a difference click here.
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Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act
Success! With the help of AJWS supporters like you, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act (H.R. 180) passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 31, by a vote of 418 to one. This important bill would:
• Create a list of foreign companies helping to fund the genocide;
• Prohibit U.S. government contracts with these companies;
• Provide federal protection to states that choose to divest.
Click here to find out more.
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What Would You Tell the Presidential
Candidates?
From Progressive Jewish Alliance and Jewish Funds for Justice
More than a dozen men and one woman are seeking the nomination of their parties for President of the United States. In the coming months, they will develop and present their platforms and priorities.
Jspot imagines thousands of Jews coming together to create a domestic agenda that represents our interests. We will send this agenda to every presidential candidate and request a written response. As candidates reply we publicize their views on our websites, via email, and through the press. To take part in this initiative, click here.
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Targeted Divestment from Sudan
Unbelievable as it might sound, the crisis in Darfur has entered its fifth year. Unable to stand by while the genocide rages, AJWS recently endorsed targeted divestment from Sudan and, in the process, became the first national Jewish organization to take this step. Targeted divestment is a new and powerful tactic in the ongoing efforts of AJWS to stop the genocide in Darfur. The Sudanese government depends heavily on foreign investment to fund its genocidal campaign in Darfur. And the vast majority of this money comes from companies that many individuals and institutions invest in. Click here to take action on this issue.
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Keep the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Free From Drilling
On January 4, 2007 Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 39). This bill would designate the coastal plain (area 1002) within the Arctic Natural Wildlife Reserve as “wilderness” and would thus make it illegal for anyone to drill on the land. According to the definition of “wilderness” by the National Wilderness Prevention System, areas so designated are protected from any development that would harm the people, animals, plants, or landscape of the area. Currently, Rep. Markey is looking for cosponsors for this bill. Write to your congressional representative to join Rep. Markey and protect America’s treasured wilderness.
Click here to take action on this issue. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Support Better Gun Purchase Background Checks
In the United States, approximately 30,000 people die every year from guns, of which approximately 11,000 are murders. The gun related death rate for children under the age of fifteen is nearly twelve times higher in the United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined. The United States has some of the most lax gun laws in the world, and the result is more gun deaths than most of the rest of the industrialized world combined.
Take Action
In emails, faxes, and phone calls, please contact your members of Congress and urge him or her to make smarter gun control a legislative priority in the 110th Congress. The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 202.224.3121. You can also send an e-mail by entering your Zip Code.
For more information, please contact Legislative Assistant Matt Weinberg at 202.387.2800.
Click here to take action.
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Let's Talk! 
American Jews Call for U.S. Diplomatic Engagement to Resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
We’ve heard the excuses. We’ve witnessed the results of diplomatic neglect. We’ve seen the limitations of military action. We know there is only one way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: It is time for diplomacy. It is time to talk. "Let’s Talk" is a new campaign from Brit Tzedek v’Shalom that urges the Bush Administration, in its final two years, to urgently promote and facilitate talks between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as Israel and Syria, and Israel and Lebanon. To learn more or take action, click here.
