Access to power and the ability to influence the political system are never guarantees. Power is illusive and power centers are constantly shifting, as societies change, and political systems evolve.

How might we measure Jewish political influence today within the United States?  There are multiple and, at times competing, Jewish advocacy interests. Within the Israel advocacy community, one can identify a variety of players [AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Council), J Street, AJC (American Jewish Committee), ZOA (Zionist Organization of America), IPF (Israel Policy Forum) etc.,] advancing an array of US-Israel positions and policies. Correspondingly, within the tenacles of Jewish advocacy interests, there exist today single-issue organizations (environment, religious educational concerns, food insecurity, etc.,) as well as multi-agenda structures (i.e., Religious Action Center of the URJ and JCPA, Jewish Council for Public Affairs).

A body of literature on “interest group politics” provides some useful insights into the characteristics that define successful organizing initiatives for such entities as organized labor, the business sector, and the gun rights lobby. For interest groups to achieve their political goals, they must produce “deliverables”: to mobilize their constituencies and to turn out voters, to galvanize funders, to shape elite opinions and public support, and to identify opportunities and threats. A core attribute involves community cohesion, where groups can demonstrate clear and consistent leadership messaging and the capacity to act collectively. Interest group politics are dependent upon access to financial, technical, and media resources.

Coalition building involving partnerships with a broad number........

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