Peace & Justice Service
CMI’s annual Peace & Justice Service aims to educate and challenge the community by addressing current-day topics. Since its creation in 1967 by CMI’s then-Rabbi Robert E. Goldburg, guest speakers such as Daniel Ellsberg, Christopher Hitchens, Robert Jay Lifton, Julian Bond, Howard Fast, Paul Robeson, Jr., Linda Greenhouse, Arthur Miller, and William Sloane Coffin, Jr. have explored issues such as the economic consequences of war, LGBTQIA rights, racial discrimination, Palestinian rights, and governmental use of torture.
Featured speaker Amy Spitalnick is the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the national convener of Jewish coalitions working across communities to build a just and inclusive American democracy.
A nationally recognized leader on countering antisemitism, hate, and extremism and protecting democracy, Amy previously served as Executive Director of Integrity First for America, which won its groundbreaking lawsuit against the neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and hate groups responsible for the Charlottesville violence.
Amy has extensive experience in government, politics, and advocacy, including as Communications Director and Senior Policy Advisor to the New York Attorney General and spokesperson and advisor to the New York City Mayor. She serves on the Boards of Directors of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Tufts University Hillel, and the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University, as well as on Tree of Life’s Academic Advisory Council and Bedrock’s National Leadership Council.
Amy frequently appears in national media and has been awarded various fellowships and honors, including being named a Women inPower Fellow at the 92nd Street Y, a Truman National Security Project Fellow, a City & State 40 Under 40 Rising Star, and a NY Jewish Week 36 Under 36 Changemaker. She graduated from Tufts University.
During services, we will have an opportunity to say the mi shebeirach, read the kaddish list, and recite the mourner’s kaddish. If you wish to add additional names to the mi shebeirach or kaddish list, please email Sarah Legassey by 12pm on Friday.