It is indeed a new list.  Not spam.  But you (implicitly) raise a good point Jameela: inclusion in the list was automatic and unsolicited: anyone who doesn't want to be on the list can request to be removed. Conversely, the list was derived from the e-mail addresses the JDS has been able to collect (rather unsystematically), so not every JDS member/associate will be on it.  If you (all) know of anyone who might not be on the list but might want to be, please feel free to invite him/her to join.