5 Years Since Pittsburgh, 3 Weeks Since Hamas Terror

Dear Friends,

Five years ago today, an antisemitic right-wing extremist perpetrated the most deadly antisemitic attack in United States history at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. The pain we feel on this solemn anniversary is exacerbated by Hamas’s brutal terrorist attacks in Israel — the worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust — three weeks ago tomorrow.

The Jewish community is grieving, but we take a measure of comfort knowing that the Biden Administration refuses to tolerate antisemitism and stands with Jewish Americans and Israel. President Biden, Leaders Schumer and Jeffries, and Democrats have been unequivocal in their support for Jewish Americans and Israel’s security, and we’re deeply grateful for their support. Read and share our key facts on the crisis in Israel and antisemitism. These are talking points that can help to guide your conversations at this difficult time.

Meanwhile, after three weeks of chaos and disarray, Republicans FINALLY chose a Speaker of the House. Unfortunately for Americans, the new Republican leader, Mike Johnson is a Trump-aligned extremist and election denier. He was an architect of Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election, supports a nationwide abortion ban, opposes LGBTQ+ rights, is a climate change denier, and supports cutting Social Security and Medicare. Mike Johnson, whom some of his colleagues hadn’t heard of before this week, is a dangerous MAGA extremist who will continue to promote policies and values antithetical to Jewish and Democratic values, and he’s now third in line for the presidency. His election as Speaker epitomizes just how important it is that Democrats take back control of the House in 2024. Read our quote about Johnson’s dangerous extremism in The Forward.

On Wednesday, JDCA hosted Senator Jacky Rosen and Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Kathy Manning for an emergency briefing on the war in Israel. We were honored to host this important discussion about rising antisemitism in the United States and Democrats’ strong support of Israel. We are grateful to convene each week with hundreds of you, and encourage you to sign up for next week’s briefing on Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT. Click below to watch the recording of this week’s briefing.

This is a critical time for Jewish Americans, and we refuse to ignore the extremism, bigotry, and threats to our national security emanating from the Republican Party. Now is the time for us to support Joe Biden and Democrats, who are stepping up for Jewish Americans and Israel to ensure their victories in 2024. Supporting JDCA allows us to grow our national movement, advance our advocacy agenda, and expand our organizing efforts in key districts and states to engage Jewish voters and win elections. Support JDCA today and help us win in 2024.

Shabbat Shalom,

Hon. Ron Klein, JDCA Board Chair
Halie Soifer, JDCA CEO