Article

Our four questions and answers (plus an advocacy seder plate!)

April 18, 2019

Friends,

As we prepare for Passover, we reflect on the story of freedom from oppression. We conduct the seder to teach our children the story of Passover by answering the four questions. In honor of the holiday, we have four questions (and answers) to share, as well as a JDCA advocacy seder plate below and for you to download to share at your seder here.

JDCA is committed to advocating for socially progressive, pro-Israel and Jewish values, and supporting policies, candidates and elected officials aligned with those values. If you agree with our mission, please join and support JDCA today so we can do even more to effect change in the 116th Congress and the 2020 election.
JDCA Board on the Hill
JDCA’s Four Questions & Answers

1) Q: How is the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) distinct from all other organizations?

A: JDCA is the distinct voice of socially progressive, pro-Israel, Jewish Democrats. JDCA is the only Jewish organization that combines a values-driven advocacy agenda and policy platform with a Democratic political agenda.

2) Q: How does JDCA’s mission relate to the story of Passover?

A: JDCA mobilizes the Jewish electorate to support policies, elected officials, and candidates aligned with our values. These are the same values – that of freedom, equality, and justice – that we will recount at the Passover seder when we recall that we were once strangers in a strange land.

At JDCA, we stand up for the most vulnerable in our society including immigrants, children torn apart from their families at the border, families in need of affordable healthcare, and those victimized by hatred and bigotry. We aim to ensure our government does not turn its back on others, and elect candidates who share these values.

We were successful in helping Democrats emerge from wandering the desert of Republican control by winning back the House in 2018, and we are preparing to launch a “values to victory” campaign for 2020 to help Democrats win back the Senate and White House.

3) Q: Why are Jews Democrats?

A: For decades, more than 70 percent of the Jewish electorate has supported Democrats because they represent our values: providing access to affordable healthcare, protecting the environment, ensuring social justice, equality and freedom from discrimination, protecting our communities against gun violence, supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship and more. For more about why Republicans are losing the support of Jewish voters, check-out last week’s wrap-up.

4) Q: How is Donald Trump different from all other presidents?

A: All other presidents have valued international alliances, but President Trump has demonized our allies, walked away from international agreements, and embraced dictators and autocrats. At home, President Trump has enacted policies that have betrayed our values, such as discriminating against refugees based on religion, demonstrating cruelty to immigrants and asylum-seekers, and reducing transparency and accountability in government.

On the day that the redacted version of the Mueller Report became public, we are redoubling our effort to protect our democratic institutions and ensure accountability of the administration. Bonus question: What makes Donald Trump exactly the same as his 44 predecessors? No one is above the law, including the president.

JDCA Speaks Out – Week in Review

  • JDCA responded to the release of the redacted Mueller Report, reiterating that it does not exonerate President Trump, and calling for the full report.
  • JDCA Board Chair Ron Klein issued a statement warning the Israeli government against annexing the West Bank and reiterating JDCA’s support of a two-state solution and full military aid for Israel.
  • JDCA Executive Director Halie Soifer explained why so many Jews are Democrats on the Jewish Journal’s podcast with David Suissa.
  • JDCA spoke out against President Trump’s exclusion of Jewish organizations, denominations and movements from his Jewish “outreach” meeting at the White House.
  • JDCA responded to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s assertion that cutting aid to Israel is “on the table” by encouraging her to speak with leaders in Congress on the issue – which she admitted she is not – such as Reps. Engel, Lowey and Deutch.
  • JDCA called out President Trump’s bigoted attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar, pointing out that while while we may not agree with Rep. Omar on Israel, “we strongly disagree with President Trump’s targeting of her with vitriol, conspiracy theories, and lies.”
  • JDCA condemned President Trump’s shameful suggestion that immigrant detainees might be released in sanctuary cities, and we condemned President Trump’s ban on transgender service members in the military.

Every week brings challenges, and every week, we meet them. Our work is not possible without your support, and we thank you for standing with JDCA as we fight for our values. We wish everyone a joyous and happy Pesach with family and friends.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,

Ron Klein
Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America

Halie Soifer
Executive Director, Jewish Democratic Council of America