By: Joby Bernstein and The Board of CJD

For generations, Jewish Americans have played an important role in building the Democratic Party. Our community has found a political home in a party that reflects many of the values deeply rooted in Jewish tradition: pursuing justice, protecting the vulnerable, welcoming the stranger, defending civil rights, and working toward a more equitable society.

But today, many Jewish Democrats are asking a difficult question: Is the Democratic Party still a place where we can be fully Jewish, openly connected to Israel, and unequivocally opposed to antisemitism?
Jewish Democrats across California have witnessed a disturbing rise in rhetoric directed at Israel and, and towards Jews themselves. We have encountered political spaces where legitimate concerns about antisemitism were minimized or dismissed. We have heard that criticism is directed only at "Zionists," as though Zionism and Jewish identity can be neatly separated. We have seen disagreements over Israel and Gaza become tests of political loyalty even in races and organizations whose primary concerns have nothing to do with foreign policy.
These experiences have left many Jewish Democrats frustrated, angry and, in some cases, wondering whether they still belong.
Our answer is yes.


We don't believe Jewish Democrats should walk away from the Democratic Party.  Leaving surrenders our voice at precisely the moment when that voice is needed.
The Democratic Party is not monolithic. It contains disagreements, competing perspectives also people whose rhetoric can be hostile toward Jews or dismissive of Jewish concerns. It also contains millions of Americans and elected officials who stand firmly against antisemitism, support a strong U.S. Israel relationship, defend religious freedom and believe that Jewish Americans should be able to participate fully in public life without hiding any part of their identity.
Our commitment to the Democratic Party is not simply about partisan loyalty. It is about the values that brought generations of Jewish Americans into Democratic politics.
We believe in protecting civil rights and voting rights. We believe women should have control over their own reproductive decisions. We believe LGBTQ+ Americans deserve equal rights, that immigrants and refugees should be treated with humanity. We believe working families deserve economic opportunity, and that our environment is a responsibility to future generations.


And we believe in democracy itself: free and fair elections, representative government, equal treatment under the law and institutions that serve all Americans—not simply those with the greatest wealth or political power.
These are values we recognize from our Jewish history and tradition.
We can oppose policies of the Israeli government without questioning Israel's legitimacy, and demand and recognize the right of Isreal to exist in security. We can advocate for Palestinian rights and humanitarian assistance while rejecting rhetoric that demonizes Jews or Israelis. And we can oppose antisemitism wherever it comes whether from the political left, the political right, or anywhere else.
We have profound disagreements with Trumpian efforts that undermine the core of Democracy. We are also deeply concerned when conservative voices traffic in antisemitic conspiracy theories, white nationalist ideas or rhetoric that divides Americans along racial or religious lines.
So we have chosen a clear pathway: organize, speak up, build alliances and stay engaged.


We are working to elect candidates and delegates who understand the complexity of issues affecting Jews and Israel. We are encouraging Jewish Democrats to participate and become ADEM candidates, and be part of party organizations and actively engage in their county and state Democratic organizations.
We are also building relationships beyond the Jewish community, with Democrat as part of our big tent who understand that fighting antisemitism is part of the broader struggle for civil rights and inclusion.
If we organize, we can make a critical difference.
We can insist that antisemitism be recognized and confronted wherever it appears. We can advocate for policies that protect Jewish students and other vulnerable communities. We can engage seriously in conversations about Israel and the Middle East without accepting false choices that undermine our Jewish values.
And we can demonstrate that being Jewish and being a Democrat are not competing identities.
We do not need to agree with every Democrat, or defend every Democratic position. And we should never remain silent when antisemitism appears within our own political community.
But neither should we surrender our place as Democrats.
The Jewish community has spent generations building alliances, participating in civic life and fighting for a more just America. That work does not end because today's political environment is difficult.

We hope Jewish Democrats throughout California will join us.