The 5 Most Critical Ways The Conference Of Presidents Shapes US-Israel Policy In 2025
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CoP) remains the single most powerful and influential umbrella group representing the diverse interests of the American Jewish community on the global stage, especially concerning the US-Israel relationship. As of late 2025, the organization is not merely reacting to events but actively shaping policy debates, navigating the complex political landscape in both Washington D.C. and Jerusalem, and addressing a pivotal internal "moment of reckoning and renewal" for American Jewry.
This coalition acts as the primary conduit between the American Jewish institutional establishment and the highest levels of government in the United States, Israel, and the United Nations, ensuring a unified voice on critical issues like Israel's security, combating global antisemitism, and maintaining the bilateral alliance. Led by Chair Betsy Berns Korn and CEO William C. Daroff, the Conference's recent activities—including its 50th-anniversary mission to Israel—highlight its central, non-partisan role in a period of unprecedented geopolitical tension and internal communal debate.
The Leadership and Foundation of American Jewish Advocacy
The Conference of Presidents (CoP) was established to provide a unified, consensus-driven voice for American Jewry. It serves as an essential forum for dialogue between religious, social, and ethnic Jewish groups, allowing them to present a consolidated front to world leaders and policymakers on key issues.
Current Leadership Profile
- Chair: Betsy Berns Korn
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO): William C. Daroff
- Role: Korn and Daroff lead the organization's strategic direction, overseeing its missions to Israel, high-level meetings with U.S. and Israeli officials, and public advocacy campaigns against antisemitism and for the US-Israel alliance.
The Power of the Umbrella: Key Member Organizations
The CoP's influence stems from its massive coalition, consisting of over 50 major national Jewish organizations that span the religious, political, and service spectrum. This collective power ensures that when the Conference speaks, it carries the weight of the vast majority of American Jewish institutional life. The member organizations represent a broad range of viewpoints, from Zionist and defense groups to social-service and religious bodies.
A partial list of its member entities includes:
- Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
- Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America
- Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA)
- Israeli American Council (IAC)
- StandWithUs
- World ORT
- Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi)
- B'nai B'rith International
- Jewish United Fund (JUF) of Metropolitan Chicago
- MERCAZ Olami
- RZA-Mizrahi
- Iran American Jewish Federation
- Israel Bonds (Development Corporation for Israel)
- Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
- The Rabbinical Assembly
- Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)
The 5 Most Critical Ways The CoP Shapes US-Israel Policy In 2025
In late 2025, the Conference of Presidents is actively engaged in several high-stakes areas, defining its role as a crucial geopolitical actor. These activities go beyond mere statements to include direct lobbying, diplomatic missions, and internal community building.
1. Direct Engagement on the U.N. Anti-Israel Bias
The Conference continues to be a vocal proponent for combating the institutional anti-Israel bias at the United Nations. In a highly current example, the CoP publicly applauded the U.S. opposition to a "one-sided U.N. Resolution Targeting Israel" in December 2025. This action highlights the CoP's successful behind-the-scenes lobbying to ensure the U.S. administration uses its diplomatic power to veto or oppose resolutions deemed prejudiced and unbalanced against the Jewish State. This advocacy is a core function, ensuring that the U.S. policy aligns with the security and diplomatic interests of Israel, particularly in forums like the U.N. General Assembly.
2. The 50th-Anniversary Mission and Internal Israeli Debate
The CoP's annual mission to Israel is a cornerstone of its work, bringing American Jewish leaders face-to-face with Israeli government officials, military figures, and academic leaders. The 50th-anniversary mission in February 2025 proved to be particularly significant, described as an "extraordinary experience" and a moment of "reckoning and renewal" for the American Jewish community.
During this mission, the CoP’s delegation met with top Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Israel Katz. More strikingly, the delegation was exposed to critical internal Israeli debates. Former President Reuven Rivlin addressed the conference and "blasted Haredi draft refusal," linking the issue to the deep divisions within Israeli society. By hosting such candid discussions, the CoP ensures American Jewish leaders are fully informed on the complex social and political realities within Israel, fostering a more nuanced and resilient form of support.
3. Combating Antisemitism and Campus Activism
In the wake of heightened global tensions, the CoP has intensified its efforts to combat rising antisemitism across the United States, especially on college campuses. The organization works to secure federal funding for security at Jewish institutions and advocates for the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism by universities and government bodies. Their role is to centralize the response of major Jewish organizations, ensuring a coordinated and powerful pushback against anti-Jewish rhetoric and actions, which is now a major focus of American Jewish advocacy.
4. Defining the Future of the US-Israel Alliance
The Conference is a non-partisan entity, yet it plays a crucial role in managing the relationship between the American Jewish community and whichever administration is in power. Following the recent U.S. elections, the CoP issued statements trusting the new administration would "work diligently to combat antisemitism and advance the bilateral U.S.-Israel relationship." This diplomatic engagement ensures continuity in support for Israel, regardless of the political party in the White House. They continually press for policies that reinforce Israel's qualitative military edge (QME) and support for a strong security partnership.
5. Fostering American Jewry's "Moment of Reckoning"
Beyond policy, the CoP is central to the ongoing internal discussion within the American Jewish community. The term "American Jewry's moment of reckoning and renewal," which emerged from their 2025 mission, signifies a period of deep reflection on the community's identity, its relationship with Israel, and its role in a divided America. The Conference provides the necessary forum for leaders from diverse Jewish streams—Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and secular—to debate and forge a common path forward, ensuring the institutional framework of American Jewry remains cohesive and relevant for the next generation.
Conclusion: The Enduring Influence of the CoP
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is far more than a ceremonial body; it is a vital, active diplomatic and advocacy powerhouse. In 2025, its work is characterized by high-level engagement on sensitive issues, from the political complexities of the Haredi draft in Israel to the diplomatic battles at the United Nations. By unifying the voices of its dozens of member organizations, the CoP ensures that the core interests of American Jewry—Israel's security, the fight against antisemitism, and the strength of the US-Israel alliance—remain at the forefront of global policy discussions.
The continued leadership of Betsy Berns Korn and William C. Daroff, alongside the collective strength of its member entities, guarantees the Conference will remain the indispensable "umbrella organization" for American Jewish leadership for the foreseeable future, driving both policy and communal renewal.
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