Jewish Democrats’ New Ad Overlays Jewish Mourning Prayer with Trump’s Coronavirus Lies and Mounting Death Toll

WASHINGTON – Today, the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) released a new political ad focused on COVID-19. The ad, which includes false statements made by President Trump about coronavirus, highlights the rising American death toll as the Jewish mourning prayer, the Kaddish, is recited in the background.

The ad opens with a static image of stones being placed on a gravestone, a Jewish custom of remembrance. Over the solemn words of the Kaddish, viewers hear President Trump repeatedly downplaying the severity of the coronavirus, dismissing the lives lost, and promising that an end is in sight, all while the onscreen death toll ticks upward. The ad is part of a half-a-million digital ad buy targeting Jewish voters in key swing states including Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

The ad can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/cYiDuelGRUU

JDCA Chair Rep. Ron Klein said: “The Jewish community is in mourning due to the devastating human loss of coronavirus, and many of us are saying Kaddish. Each Saturday, my father and I attended shul together until he contracted and succumbed to the virus a few months ago. The Jewish community in South Florida, including my own family, has been deeply impacted by this devastating disease. The magnitude of this tragedy could have been avoided.”

JDCA Executive Director Halie Soifer said: “This ad highlights the recklessness and utter lack of leadership that has defined Donald Trump’s approach to the coronavirus. Even since he contracted the virus, the president has demonstrated a complete disregard for the sanctity of human life, which is a core Jewish value. Now the president is callously telling Americans not to let COVID ‘dominate their lives.’ This won’t be a problem for the more than 210,000 Americans whose lives have been tragically ended by this virus. Our hearts break for their families whose lives have been shattered, along with the millions of Americans suffering from illness. Jewish Americans mourn those lost due to COVID, and are committed to electing Joe Biden in order to restoring empathy, compassion, and leadership to White House.

JDCA Next Generation Leadership Council Member Rabbi Michael Latz said: “I wish the president and the first lady and their staff a speedy and full recovery from COVID-19. There is nothing more sacred in Judaism than human life. The fact that we are saying Kaddish for more than 210,000 Americans because of Donald Trump’s abject incompetence and failure to lead during this pandemic is an absolute shande. This is a moment that cries for competent moral leadership. Trump, tragically, has shown us repeatedly he is incapable of leading.”

JDCA Next Generation Leadership Council Member Rabbi Joel Simonds said: “After the killing of Abel by his brother Cain, God says that Abel’s blood cries out to God from the ground.  The blood of over 210,000 Americans continues to cry out to us from the ground and we honor their memory by lifting up their names and stories, by saying sacred words of remembrance and by holding the President accountable for his failure of leadership and compassion. We hear their cries, we see their blood, and we will not be silent. ”

For more information on JDCA’s strategy around the 2020 election or to speak with Halie Soifer, contact [email protected].