JEWISH DEMS
AT THE DNC

August 19 - 22 Chicago, IL
    • JDCA at the DNC
    Since its founding in 2017, JDCA has established itself as the home and voice of Jewish voters in support of Democrats who share our core values. Join us and be a part of history at the Democratic National Convention this August in Chicago as we nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president.
    • Speakers
    Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff
    As Second Gentleman, Mr. Emhoff is working to share the priorities of the BidenHarris Administration with people across the country and around the world. During his first year as Second Gentleman, Mr. Emhoff traveled to dozens of states and two countries. He has met with health care professionals, front-line workers, parents, teachers, caregivers, community leaders, legal aid providers, and smallbusiness owners in urban and rural areas, communities of color, and Tribal communities to hear their stories and to share how the Administration is working to help their families. As the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president, Mr. Emhoff has been honored to share his Jewish heritage and culture—from celebrating Passover in the White House to hanging a Mezuzah on the front door of the Vice President’s Residence. He regularly engages with individuals from the Jewish community as well as other faith-based groups to discuss the Administration’s priorities to strengthen religious tolerance and protect religious freedom.
    Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08)
    Congressman Jamie Raskin is running for reelection in the Maryland 8th Congressional District. Rep. Raskin believes that providing quality healthcare is an essential requirement of a modern society and is working to ensure that every American is able to access affordable and quality healthcare.  Rap Raskin is also a leader in the fight against climate change.  Rep. Raskin was chosen by the Democratic Caucus to be the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability in the 118th Congress. This is his fourth term serving on the Oversight Committee. Rep. Raskin was the lead impeachment manager in the second impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump and served on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. As a Maryland State Senator, he wrote the Green Maryland Act and was an original cosponsor of the Green New Deal in Congress.  He has also worked extensively on gun control, and wants to provide for universal background checks, red flag laws, close gun sale loopholes, and ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines.  Jamie is a supporter of a two-state solution and opposes the BDS movement, believing that dialogue is the best way forward to ensuring a lasting and equitable peace between Israelis and Palestinians. 
    Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06)
    A strong friend of JDCA, Representative Kathy Manning was first elected to Congress in 2020. Throughout her time in Congress, she has been a strong advocate for childhood education and investments in school infrastructure, democracy and maintaining strong relationships with United States’ allies, and has served as the Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Taskforce for Combatting Antisemitism. Prior, she worked as a lawyer, small business owner, and a leader in the Jewish community, leading major Jewish philanthropic organizations like JFNA and Prizmah. She’s proven through her work in Congress and on countless boards and organizations that she is committed to serving the people of her district and the American Jewish community.
    Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-12)
    Representative Jerry Nadler has served in the House of Representatives since 1992. Prior, he served in the New York State Assembly. Rep. Nadler is among the highest-ranking Jews in Congress and leads the unofficial Jewish House Caucus. As such, Rep. Nadler plays a key role in mediating between Jewish members of Congress. In addition, he is the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and has played a crucial role in the impeachment proceedings of Donald Trump, tamping down on white supremacism and antisemitism, protecting abortion rights, and implementing criminal justice reform. Rep. Nadler has cosponsored numerous pieces of pro-Israel and anti-BDS legislation. He has been a friend of JDCA since our founding, and we are proud to endorse him.
    Jeremy Bash, Former CIA and Department of Defense Chief of Staff
    Mr. Bash has spent the past 20 years advising national leaders and chief executives on a range of strategic, management, legal, and policy issues. He served as Chief of Staff in two national security departments or agencies: first as Chief of Staff to the Director of the CIA (2009-2011) and as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (2011-2013). As a senior advisor to Leon E. Panetta in both roles, Mr. Bash worked on a number of key initiatives, including the creation of a new defense strategy, formation of two defense budgets, the drawdown of two wars, counterterrorism operations, a new cyber strategy, and a range of sensitive intelligence operations. Mr. Bash is now a founder and managing director at Beacon Global Strategies LLC.
    Ruby Chen
    Ruby Chen is the father of Itay Chen. Itay Chen, a 20 year old dual Israeli-American citizen, was kidnapped on October 7th. Itay is the middle child of three boys and is very close with both his siblings. On October 7th, Itay was on active duty on the Nahal Oz army base. In the early hours of October 7th, Itay’s base, which is very close to the border with Gaza, came under attack. Israeli officials have since declared that Itay died on the 7th. His body was then taken into captivity by Hamas. We pray for Itay’s return home.
    Jonathan Dekel-Chen
    Jonathan Dekel-Chen is the father of Sagui Dekel-Chen, who is currently held hostage by Hamas. Jonathan has been endlessly calling for the release of his son. Speaking directly to Sagui, his father says: "you're not alone. The entire country is mobilized to try however we can to get you home, and just like you, we love you. Your wife, your daughters, your daughter to be, are waiting for you, and so do what you have to do to get home." Professor Jonathan Dekel-Chen is the Rabbi Edward Sandrow Chair in Soviet & East European Jewry at the Hebrew University. He holds a dual appointment in the Department of Jewish History and in the Department of General History. He served as the Academic Chairman of the Leonid Nevzlin Research Center for Russian and East European Jewry from 2009-2015 and Chairman of the Russian Studies Department and Jewish History Department. Prof. Dekel-Chen has held visiting professorships and research fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania (2008-2009), Columbia University (2015-2016) and Rutgers University (2021-2022). His research and publications deal with the modern Jewish world, Applied Humanities, transnational philanthropy and advocacy, non-state diplomacy, agrarian history and migration.
    Sharon Nazarian, Antisemitism Expert
    Dr. Sharon S. Nazarian is the President of the Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation, with a regional office in Israel named the Ima Foundation. The focus on education and public policy is core to Sharon's philanthropic perspective. She is the founder of the Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). The Center is housed in the International Institute at UCLA in order to provide a systematic and academic study of Israel. In 2017, ADL appointed Sharon as its new Senior Vice President in International Affairs. Sharon served in this role for five years, meeting with heads of state, foreign ministers and leaders of Jewish communities across the globe and heads ADL’s work fighting antisemitism and racial hatred globally. She also oversaw ADL’s Israel office.
    Orna and Ronen Neutra
    Orna and Ronen Neutra are the parents of Omer Neutra. Omer Neutra, a 22 year old American-Israeli, was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th. Omer, who was born and raised in Plainview, New York, was abducted while serving in an outpost near the border of Gaza. Omer is one of six American citizens currently being held hostage by Hamas.
    Amy Spitalnick, CEO of JCPA
    Amy Spitalnick is the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the national convener of Jewish coalitions working across communities to build a just and inclusive American democracy. She previously served as Executive Director of Integrity First for America, which won its groundbreaking lawsuit against the neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and hate groups responsible for the Charlottesville violence. Under Amy’s leadership, IFA became a powerful national voice in the fight against white supremacy and extremism – and its Charlottesville case has emerged as a model for accountability.
    Alan Solow, Antisemitism Expert
    Alan P. Solow is an experienced problem solver as a counselor, attorney and civic leader.  In recent years, his practice increasingly focused on government relations and strategic communications assignments. Solow is a past Chairman of the Conference of President of Major American Jewish Organizations, the umbrella group for more than 50 other agencies. In that capacity, Solow acted as the designated representative of organized American Jewry to the US government and he travelled extensively throughout the world meeting foreign leaders. He is also a past Board Chair of the Jewish Community Centers Association of North America and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Chicago, among other leadership roles. Solow has had extensive involvement in politics. He served as a National Co-Chair of the 2012 Obama-Biden campaign and was a charter member of the 2008 and 2012 Obama Finance Committees. He acted as an outside advisor to President Obama on Middle East issues, working with the senior West Wing staff and National Security team as well as many members of the House and Senate. He has been actively engaged in campaign work for decades.
    Amanda Tyler, White Supremacist Expert
    Amanda Tyler is executive director of BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty), leading the organization as it upholds the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty: defending the free exercise of religion and protecting against its establishment by government. She is the lead organizer of BJC’s Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign and co-host of BJC’s Respecting Religion podcast. Tyler is the author of How to End Christian Nationalism, which will be published by Broadleaf Books on October 22, 2024. The book is available for pre-order now. Tyler’s constitutional law analysis and advocacy for faith freedom for all have been featured by major news outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CBS News, ABC News, CNN, and MSNBC. Religion News Service named Tyler one of “2022’s rising stars in religion,” and she regularly preaches in Baptist churches, speaks at denominational gatherings, and leads sessions on college campuses and with community groups of all sizes.
    Thursday Schedule
    • Thursday August 22 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
      Dempalooza: Jewish Values and Domestic Policy: What's at Stake
    • Thursday August 22 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
      Antisemitism, Extremism, and the 2024 Election featuring Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff
    • Thursday August 22 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
      JDCA Reception Featuring Members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum

    JEWISH DEMS
    AT THE DNC

    August 19 - 22 Chicago, IL