BRIEFING ROOM

My First JAC Policy Conference: Insights, Inspiration, and Impact

March 14, 2025

by: Rachel Sotoloff

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I had the chance to attend my first JAC Policy Conference last week, and it was an unforgettable 48 hours. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but every speaker, every meeting, and every conversation exceeded my expectations. The JAC team not only provided detailed briefings and guidelines but also organized incredible speakers who allowed us to dive deeply into the critical issues that JAC passionately supports. 

The small group meetings with members of Congress gave me insight into the access and relationships JAC has built over the last 40 years. During these meetings, we thanked our elected leaders for their ongoing support and asked them to continue championing current bills. We also had the opportunity to discuss more challenging topics, such as Israel.

We were in DC the same week President Trump invited the released hostages for a White House visit. By pure coincidence, they were staying at our hotel. We introduced ourselves and invited them to speak at our dinner Wednesday night, which led to Aviva Siegel addressing our conference—a truly emotional and surreal experience that none of us will forget.

In our final meeting, my group sat down with Sen. Dick Durbin (IL) for a candid and respectful conversation about Israel. As one of the newest members of JAC and attending my first policy conference, I felt nervous to speak in such a prominent setting. But I couldn’t have been prouder of JAC Board President Susan Berk’s leadership in that meeting. She was persistent and graceful as she pressed the issue without overstepping. This meeting, like many others, provided me with the chance to learn directly from JAC’s seasoned veterans. 

Exhausted but exhilarated, I looked forward to a quiet flight home. As I settled into my seat, I looked up to find none other than Sen. Durbin sitting right behind me. When we made eye contact, I introduced myself as a JAC member whom he had just met hours before. With a mix of excitement from seeing a US Senator so close and still having questions about our conversation about Israel, I decided to write him a letter while on the plane. With just 10 minutes left on the flight, I turned around and handed Sen. Durbin my handwritten letter—the old-fashioned manner.

About an hour later, as I was in the car on my way home, my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. To my shock, it was from Senator Durbin. Not only had he read my letter, but he also sent me a lengthy response.

A week later, I’m still in awe of the impact we can make when we come together. Change may not happen overnight, but with open dialogue, a willingness to listen, diverse perspectives, and an unwavering commitment to JAC’s critical causes, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. The power of JAC is undeniable—and I already can’t wait to be back at the conference next year.