The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) (formerly the National Jewish Coalition), founded in 1985, is a political lobbying group in the United States that promotes Jewish Republicans. The RJC claims that it is the most important voice on conservative political issues for the Jewish-American community. The RJC has 44 chapters throughout the United States.
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The official mission statement of the RJC is to foster and enhance ties between the American Jewish community and Republican decision makers in the United States. According to its website, the RJC "works to sensitize Republican leadership in government and the party to the concerns and issues of the Jewish community, while articulating and advocating Republican ideas and policies within the Jewish community."
The RJC is also striving to build a "strong, effective and respected" voice of Jewish Republicans that can influence activities, policies and ideas in Washington and across the country. :[1]
The group's policy platform objectives include terrorism, national security, United States-Israel relations, Mideast peace process, The Palestinian Authority, Syria, Iran, immigration, energy policy, education, school prayer, affirmative action, the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, adoption, crime, taxes, welfare reform, faith-based initiatives, health care, Medicare reform, Social Security reform, and government reform.[2]
The RJC has hosted successful activities and events such as the Presidential Candidates Forum, leadership trips to Israel for Members of Congress, governors, and other political leaders, and creating a high-level presence at the Republican National Convention. In 2005, President George W. Bush attended the RJC's 20th anniversary celebration.[3]
In certain state and local elections, Republicans have received support from the Jewish community:
During the 2008 election campaign, the RJC ran a series of advertisements in Jewish newspapers around the United States, mostly critical of Barack Obama and linking him to individuals such as Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and Patrick Buchanan.[8] Salon.com also claimed the RJC was participating in polling phone calls ("push polls") made to potential voters in Pennsylvania and Florida that reportedly asked negative questions about Obama.[9]
In an effort to marginalize the only GOP candidate that supports the self-reliance and self-determination of Israel to function freely without U.S. intervention, The RJC has hosted a debate and for the second time has not extended an invitation to top-tier GOP contender Ron Paul who is polling in the Top 3 in both Iowa and New Hampshire and is currently the most likely to defeat President Obama in the 2012 General Election. http://reason.com/blog/2011/12/01/republican-jewish-coalition-bars-ron-pau
The RJC has been very critical of the Obama administration's policies, and have questioned Obama's relationship with Zbigniew Brzezinski, Samantha Power, and Chas Freeman, whom the RJC believe to "possess strong anti-Israel biases that are well documented."[10] The RJC also attacks Hillary Clinton for having made remarks regarding the US putting more pressure on Israel. These arguments received a lot of attention and were significantly challenged by the National Jewish Democratic Council.[11]
The Republican Jewish Coalition is fervent in its support of Israel. At a RJC event in Los Angeles on February 1, 2010, guest speaker Rep. Michele Bachmann answered a question propounded to her by stating that "if the United States fails to stand with Israel, that is the end of the United States."[12]
http://reason.com/blog/2011/12/01/republican-jewish-coalition-bars-ron-pau