Light amid the darkness at JDCA’s Leadership Summit

This week, JDCA’s leadership convened in Washington to strategize on the path forward for our community and country. We came together to reflect on the critical importance of JDCA’s work 100 days into Trump’s second term and 550 days before the midterm elections.

We concluded that JDCA has never been in a stronger position to help Democrats win in November 2026, which is the best path to taking back our country. We’re fighting using our values, voices, and votes to defend our democracy.

Amid the darkness of the past 100 days, there has been some light. Democrats have proven successful at beating Trump in the courts and at the ballot box, including in Wisconsin, as his approval numbers continue to plummet. Simultaneously, JDCA is growing in numbers and strength, thanks to all of you and Democratic leaders who share our values. We can and will succeed in this fight.

Check out the image below to see who joined JDCA’s Leadership Summit, and invest in our work so we can do even more to ensure Democrats win.

At the Summit, we considered the implications of Trump’s recklessness and dangerous policies, which threaten our values and make Jewish Americans less safe. We also considered the strongest Democratic policies, strategies, and messaging to employ in order to win. Opposition to Trump is not enough, and we stand with Democrats offering a better vision for the American people and our future.

At the Leadership Summit, we were joined by Sens. Chris Coons, Chris Murphy, Jon Ossoff, Jacky Rosen, and Brian Schatz, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Reps. Dan Goldman and Haley Stevens, Sec. Gina Raimondo, and key national security, economic, and legal experts. We discussed a range of issues, including the fight for our democracy and the rule of law, the economy and national security, and Democrats’ role in combating antisemitism and supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship.

We honored Sen. Adam Schiff and Amb. Norm Eisen with our Jewish Defender of Democracy Award for their tireless efforts standing strong against the tyranny of Trumpism, and recognized the vital role they continue to play in protecting our democracy and freedoms. We also heard from DNC Chair Ken Martin, who reaffirmed his partnership with Jewish Americans. Sen. Cory Booker made a surprise appearance and gave a powerful and inspiring speech rivaling the moral clarity (but not length) of the one he recently gave in the Senate.

What was the biggest takeaway from JDCA’s Leadership Summit? We’re fighting for the future of our country, we’re taking the fight to the ballot box, we’re preparing to ensure Democrats win, and JDCA is in a better position than ever before to succeed. On top of all of this, the American people are rejecting Trump’s volatile and chaotic attacks on our economy, national security, democracy, and the rule of law. Democrats share the interests and values of the vast majority of Jewish Americans, which is why Jewish Americans are going to play a key role in ensuring Democrats take back control of Congress and serve as a critical check on Trump’s agenda.

Decades from now, when each of us is asked by the next generation what we did to stop Trump’s tyranny, our answer must be that we did all we could to stand up, speak out, defend our values, and elect Democrats who share those values.

JDCA is your political home and community to do just that. If you haven’t already, now is the time to become a 2025 JDCA member.