4 key takeaways from JDCA’s 2024 Leadership Summit
At last week’s JDCA’s 2024 Leadership Summit, we were joined by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senators Coons, Casey, Peters, Rosen, Fetterman, and Baldwin, numerous Representatives and candidates, as well as key policymakers, Democratic strategists, and experts.
All of our speakers recognize the incredibly important role JDCA plays, advocating for Jewish values and electing Democrats who share those values. Our work mobilizing the Jewish vote in support of Democrats will play a critical role in reelecting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, increasing Democrats’ Senate majority, and taking back the House. The election is 159 days away, and we need your help.
Four key takeaways from our Summit include:
1. Democracy is on the line. Donald Trump has attacked our democracy, incited an insurrection, attempted to steal an election, and recently pledged to be a dictator “on day one.” Republicans are trying to make it harder to vote through voter suppression and election subversion, and Donald Trump is already refusing to accept the results of the 2024 election if he loses. Nothing less than the future of American democracy is at stake in this election.
It’s up to us to remind everyone to vote for Joe Biden and Democrats in order to defend democracy.
2. Democrats support Israel; Republicans politicize support of Israel. JDCA was joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and many key Democrats. They all emphasized that Democrats stand with Israel, while Republicans continue to use Israel to score cheap political points.
Leader Jeffries reminded us that in the aftermath of October 7, Republicans delayed the unprecedented level of security assistance pledged by President Biden for Israel for months. When Israel needed our support, House Republicans refused to take action and vote for this critical funding. Leader Schumer made the same point, saying that Republicans “seem to care more about attacking Democrats on Israel than they actually care about keeping U.S.-Israeli relations strong.” We’re proud that the leaders of our party, President Biden and Leaders Schumer and Jeffries, stand strongly with Jewish Americans and Israel.
3. We must bring the hostages home. At the Summit, JDCA was honored to hear from Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen held hostage by Hamas. They encouraged us to share the stories of all the Americans still held by Hamas in Gaza – including their son – and to continue our work fighting for their return.
We must bring home Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Keith Siegel, Omer Neutra, Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Itay Chen, Judith Weinstein Haggai, and Gad Haggai. May the memories of Itay Chen, Judith Weinstein Haggai, and Gad Haggai forever be a blessing. We will continue to advocate for their return until all the hostages are home.
4. Our work at JDCA will help Democrats win. We are 159 days away from Election Day. Now through November 5, our work will make a critical difference in close races around the country. JDCA has made – and will continue to make – a critical difference.
As Leader Schumer said at our Leadership Summit,
“It’s really remarkable what you’ve [at JDCA] accomplished in the past six years…You’ve been a voice for Jewish Democrats at a time of profound change for our country. Through COVID, the election of 2020, January 6, and now the aftermath of October 7. You’ve been on the front lines advancing Jewish and Democratic causes. For Israel, of course, but also for abortion access, for fighting for and defending democracy at home and all around the world.”
“This year, the Jewish American vote will make all the difference. And we all have to work together to make sure Jewish Americans stand together to support Democratic priorities.” Join us in making sure we stand together.
We’re doing more than ever to ensure Democrats who share our values – including President Biden – win in battleground states and districts throughout the country. With your help, we can do even more to engage Jewish voters to make sure they are ready to vote for President Biden and Democrats for the Senate and House.
In solidarity,
Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America