The National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs (COLPA) is a voluntary association of attorneys whose purpose is to represent the observant Jewish community on legal, legislative, and public-affairs matters.[1]

It was founded by Dr. Marvin Schick in 1965,[2] who served as its first president. Successors to Schick include Howard Rhine[3][4] [5] and Sidney Kwestel[6] Others who have served in that capacity include Julius Berman,[7] Howard J. Zuckerman,[8] and Allen Rothenberg, its current president.[9]

Dennis Rapps is COLPA's Executive Director.[10]

Accomplishments

COLPA has represented, without fee, thousands of individuals and institutions in appearances before Federal and State courts and regulatory agencies throughout the United States [11] and has made presentations before the Supreme Court of the United States, including by renowned constitutional attorney Nathan Lewin.[12] Sabbath observance in work situations is among the areas they've given assistance.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Nat'l Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs (COLPA)". Jewish Information and Referral Service. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  2. ^ "Forty Years Ago". Cross-Currents. September 15, 2005. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  3. ^ "U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Schechita". JTA.org (Jewish Telegraphic Agency). October 17, 1974.
  4. ^ "Hasidic Jew fights job loss; he refused to shave beard". National Library of Israel (nli.org.il). June 17, 1976.
  5. ^ "Obituary". The New York Times. October 17, 1979.
  6. ^ "Hasidic Jew fights job loss; he refused to shave beard". National Library of Israel (nli.org.il). June 17, 1976.
  7. ^ "The Evolution of RIETS: An Interview with Julius Berman, RIETS Board Chairman". The Commentator. April 3, 2006. Archived from the original on June 10, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  8. ^ "Obituary". The New York Times. October 17, 1979.
  9. ^ "Form Profile". InjuryLawyer.com. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  10. ^ "Paid Notice: Deaths – Klass, Sholom, Rabbi". The New York Times. January 21, 2000. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  11. ^ "JIRS: National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs (COLPA)". Archived from the original on September 26, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  12. ^ "Jewish Law - Commentary/Opinion - Religious Use of Public School Buildings". www.jlaw.com.
  13. ^ "NBC Agrees to Hire Orthodox Jew After Colpa Complaint". JTA.org (Jewish Telegraphic Agency). June 27, 1973.
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