Eyes on the Prize – Growing Our Majority & Movement
We have much to celebrate as we head into Shabbat and reflect on the past week. At JDCA, we’re excited about the growth of our movement and recent endorsements of 17 candidates for House, Senate, and Governor. So far, we’ve endorsed 48 candidates this election cycle and will continue to increase our support for candidates who share our Jewish and Democratic values each month in the lead-up to November. See our full list of endorsements below.
No defeat in November. While pundits have long speculated about a possible Democratic House defeat in 2022 due to congressional redistricting, after this week, we are even more optimistic about November. Now that reapportionment is nearly complete, it’s clear the new congressional map will be the most fair and democratic map in a generation. While Republicans have historically gerrymandered to ensure they win as many seats as possible despite losing the majority of votes, that will not be the case in 2022, where redistricting has resulted in a near-even split between seats that lean toward both parties.
Our eyes are on the prize. As we approach the election, JDCA is laying the groundwork to get out the Jewish vote and expand the Democratic majority in the House and Senate while growing our national movement. We’re expanding our team ahead of the November elections and continuing to bring you opportunities to advocate for our shared values. Keep reading to see JDCA’s response to Ambassador Lipstadt’s confirmation, what President Biden’s proposed budget tells us about his values, and job and fellowship opportunities with JDCA.
AFTER EIGHT MONTHS, AMBASSADOR LIPSTADT FINALLY CONFIRMED
After eight months of Republican obstruction, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt has finally been confirmed to serve as the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. This critical position, which now holds the rank of Ambassador, was needlessly blocked by Senate Republicans for eight months. In the end, Republican opposition to Lipstadt was no more than a paper tiger — she was confirmed unanimously by the Senate, by voice vote. Read our full statement congratulating Ambassador Lipstadt and join us in condemning Senate Republicans for playing politics with the fight against rising antisemitism.
WISH AMBASSADOR LIPSTADT MAZEL TOV
“SHOW ME YOUR BUDGET & I’LL TELL YOU WHAT YOU VALUE.”
When President Biden released his proposed 2023 budget, he said, “Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget and I’ll tell you what you value.” President Biden’s budget shows us that he values and prioritizes the safety and security of Jewish Americans. The President proposed $360 million for federal funding for security for nonprofits, which will help keep our synagogues safe and ensure Jews do not have to pray in fear. JDCA advocated for this increase in funding, and we’re grateful for President Biden’s commitment to ensuring our safety and security.
CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT & INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS
We were honored to celebrate the end of Women’s History Month with Vice President Harris and the Second Gentleman. At the gathering of women leaders, Vice President Harris spoke about breaking glass ceilings and how even if we are the first – as she is – we must ensure we are not the last. All of us stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and must support the next generation of leaders. That is our approach at JDCA, and we hope you’ll join us in investing in the next generation of JDCA leaders by supporting our Jewish Dems college fellows program today. Our fellows are integral to our voter mobilization work. Sponsor a college fellow by supporting our program and check out our JDCA fellows video here.
JDCA IN THE NEWS
As the Democratic Party considers the order and structure of the 2024 primary elections, states with large Jewish and diverse populations could be moved earlier in the primary season. JDCA commented that proposed changes “underscore Democrats’ commitment to strengthening our democracy and ensuring our institutions reflect America’s diversity” and “ensuring that all Americans feel represented in the electoral process.” Read our full comments in Jewish Insider.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
As our movement grows, so does our staff. JDCA is hiring for four full-time staff positions and more than 30 college students to join our internship and fellowship opportunities. If you’re ready to join our team and advocate for our Jewish and Democratic values in advance of the midterm elections, apply today. If you know someone who would be a good fit for one of these positions, we encourage you to share these opportunities with your network.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Shabbat Shalom,
Hon. Ron Klein,
Board Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America
Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America