October 2006

American Jewish Committee Task Force

The American Jewish Committee has named GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg the first chair of its National Service Task Force. The American Jewish Committee was established in 1906 to safeguard and strengthen Jews and Jewish life worldwide by promoting democratic and pluralistic societies that respect the dignity of all peoples. The newly created task force has a goal of encouraging young people to engage in national service.

“A plan for national service will strengthen tolerance and give young Americans a heightened sense of appreciation for our country,” says Trachtenberg. “It is an honor to chair this important task force and continue to move a commitment to national service forward.”

The task force will study previous national service efforts, seek guidance from those who have participated in national service, and formulate a plan that identifies the specific contributions the committee can make toward promoting a national commitment to service.

To that end, it will issue recommendations on how to make voluntary national service a permanent opportunity for Americans between the ages of 18 and 22 and devise an action plan to establish a coalition of non-governmental organizations, institutions, and individual advocates. The task force will be composed of 20 people, more than half of whom will be members of the American Jewish Committee.

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