Latino and Jewish groups want to join forces to push legislative issues important to both communities, including immigration reform.

The American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Community Relations Council sponsored a roundtable today at the GOP convention in St. Paul, Minn., aimed at finding common ground between the two ethnic groups. Common interests such as immigration reform and political and economic empowerment could allow for a growing Latino-Jewish coalition to push a joint agenda.

“Latino and Jewish immigrants share a desire for a better life in the U.S.,” said Josh Norrick of Voto Latino, a nonprofit voter enfranchisement organization.

As a nonpartisan organization, AJC has not formally endorsed any candidate for the 2008 election and will instead focus on how to work with the next president and Congress. “We will work with whatever White House we’ve got,” said Richard Foltin, legislative director for AJC, saying the group would aim efforts at lawmakers, national and local media, and the grass roots.