2. Passover Corporate Communication
As part of JLens’ advocacy with corporations, we communicate with companies around issues relevant to Jewish holidays. During Tu Bishvat, JLens sent a communication to its corporate contacts addressing the importance in Judaism of Bal Tashchit (the Jewish value that encourages preserving the environment). Following this communication JLens spoke to over 20 companies about their sustainability work, including setting and meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets, setting net zero goals, incorporating renewable energy into their operations, reducing waste, and employing sustainable agricultural and sourcing practices.

Similarly, during Passover JLens sent out a communication to companies highlighting the importance of addressing modern slavery. JLens focused on the importance Judaism places on treating workers fairly. Passover, in particular, teaches us to remember the period we were enslaved in Egypt and ensure we do not participate in practices that promote modern slavery, child labor, and wage discrimination. 


3. JLens 2021 Impact Report

JLens is pleased to publish our annual impact report. Highlights include:

♦ JLens’ Jewish Advocacy Strategy surpasses $150M in assets in 2021 and achieves a six-year track record

♦ JLens files first anti-BDS shareholder resolution at Morningstar, an investment research company

♦ JLens represents the Jewish community by building relationships with 826 CSR professionals at 300 companies, and directly advocating with 75 companies on issues important to the Jewish community

♦ JLens publishes best practices for corporations on religious coexistence and names top 10 companies

♦ JLens’ Jewish Values CSR Awards given to 18 major public companies

♦ Over 40 North American Jewish institutions invest in JLens' Jewish Advocacy Strategy

4. Recent Investor Advocacy Meetings
JLens engages in ongoing dialogue with the 300 companies in JLens' Jewish Advocacy Strategy. All of the companies in JLens’ portfolio are scored on six Jewish value pillars: obligation to coexistence, obligation to society, obligation to the worker, obligation to the environment, obligation to ethical business, and support for Israel. Scores range from metzuyan (excellent), to tov (good), to tzarich tikun (needs improvement). Summaries of a few recent meetings are shared below: 

Apple (JLens Score Metzuyan): In a recent meeting, Apple updated JLens about its operations in Israel, which have grown due to the country’s reputation as a hub for technology talent and innovation. Israel is Apple’s largest R&D center outside of the United States. Apple exhibits some religious coexistence best practices, including active faith based employee groups. JLens discussed with Apple the importance of ensuring there is no discrimination or problematic content in its products, and Apple discussed at length the processes it has to moderate products in its app store and create inclusive content for Apple TV. Apple is working to increase inclusivity in its products through creating more accessible products, such as a product on its devices that helps blind users during the pandemic. 

Smuckers (JLens Score Tov): JLens has previously discussed religious coexistence best practices with Smucker, and was pleased to see that the company has made huge steps towards religious inclusion. Smucker has adopted one floating day, ensures in its dress code that employees can dress according to religious imperatives, and recently started an interfaith group. This group not only celebrates holidays, but also serves as a resource for the company in assessing and giving feedback on culturally relevant products. Most recently members of the Smuckers interfaith group were able to provide feedback on Kosher products and talk about their personal experiences. While Smuckers has various programs to create more sustainable supply chains, and has worked extensively with smallholder farms, JLens urged the company to think about the health of its customers and develop and assess the health of its products.

IBM (JLens Score Metzuyan): IBM has had a strong presence in Israel since 1949, and told JLens, “Israel is growing and one of our best areas for tech, we love what Israel brings to the IBM family.” In addition to being IBM’s strongest research center outside of the US, IBM was proud to share the initiatives the company has in Israel to recruit diverse talent from Arab and Ultra-Orthodox communities, as well as their community initiative to promote STEM education to youth. JLens also discussed IBM’s strong religious coexistence best practices, and the possibility of starting an interfaith group. IBM has strong sustainability targets, and is currently working with their suppliers to set their own targets.

Costco (JLens Score Tov): In a meeting with retailer Costco, JLens urged the company to respond to investor advocacy calling for the company to set near and long term climate targets. Costco told JLens it is currently working on scope 3 quantification, and JLens will continue to monitor Costco’s progress in this area. Costco has developed policies to address religious coexistence in the workplace, and JLens discussed with the company how it could create policies to ensure products and services did not incorporate any type of religious bigotry. JLens was pleased to hear that Costco is working on tailoring products to local community needs, such as Passover bakery items and Chinese New Year products in certain communities. When asked about its operations in Xinjiang, Costco addressed a recent controversy that had been misrepresented. A vendor of theirs had indeed used a facility in the region, but not for Costco products, and when Costco learned this they severed their relationship with this vendor.