Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations - History

History

The conference was created in 1956 in response to requests from President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his administration. The American Jewish community of the period was experiencing a large growth in its similar policy groups (such as the American Jewish Committee and American Jewish Congress) and the increasing influence of the Jewish denominations on politics (particularly from Orthodox and Conservative Jews). The Eisenhower administration wanted an easier method to gauge the opinion of the community, without having to wade into the internal politics of the community, and polling leaders of each organization. The conference established a unified voice for the community, one that government officials could consult on important matters.

For its first 30 years the conference was led by one man, Yehuda Hellman. After his death in 1986, Malcolm Hoenlein became Chairman; Hoenlein remains the conference's Executive Vice Chairman. Hoenlein took a much stronger role in shaping U.S. policy, especially within the executive branch.

The Presidents' Conference and AIPAC work together closely, with all members of the conference sitting on AIPAC's executive committee, which is distinct from its board of directors. The two organizations follow a clear division of labor, however; the conference focuses on the executive branch of the U.S. government, while AIPAC concentrates its lobbying on Congress.

The conference's chairperson is Richard Stone.