National Jewish Democratic Council
Encyclopedia
The National Jewish Democratic Council works as lobbying organization for the country of Israel in the United States of America and the Democratic Party and its mission is to promote pro-Israeli policies within the Party, and to promote the Democratic Party within the jewish community.
The NJDC is outspoken in support of a strong U.S.-Israel
relationship, Separation between Church and State
(in the US), and reproductive freedom
.
The NJDC engages in voter education efforts and works with secular and Jewish media to promote the Democratic Party and its ideals.
The organization also serves as a resource to candidates throughout the country, helping them understand issues of importance to the Jewish community.
In addition, the NJDC serves as a liberal watchdog on the lawful activities of the religious portion of the Right, acting to raise public awareness about efforts to undermine the wall between church and state. These efforts are in furtherance of a solidly liberal agenda that NJDC promotes.
In 2007, its Annual Washington Conference attracted every major Democratic candidate for president, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States
, and several party leaders, including Democratic National Committee
Chairman Howard Dean
and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
.
NJDC worked on the national level to help turn out Jewish voters in the 2004 elections
and 2008 elections
, provide voter education, and fight against the radical right at every level. NJDC also works to send voter guides and direct mail to targeted Jewish households. In 2004, NJDC targeted 250,000 Jewish households in swing states with an intensive direct mail campaign.
was the keynote speaker. Other notable speakers included Al Franken
and Governor Howard Dean
.
It was noted that "In 2008, The NJDC trained nearly 100 surrogates to speak around country, according to Forman, ran newspaper ad campaigns in pivotal swing states, sent 350,000 targeted pieces of mail to Jewish households, dropped 35,000 pieces of literature in key Jewish neighborhoods and ran Internet and Google word search campaigns."
In an article written on November 9, 2008, it was mentioned that "American Jewish voters have once again overwhelmingly supported the Democratic presidential nominee" and that "with Obama's victory, we selected a candidate who shares the values of the vast majority of American Jews, including the separation of church and state, a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, and reproductive freedom."
During the final days of the 2008 presidential campaign, an article came out explaining that "The National Jewish Democratic Council is sending out more than 350,000 mailers to Jewish households in key swing states, re-asserting the Democratic nominees stance on a number of issues." This article includes many fliers put out by the NJDC in order to inform voters about Barack Obama and Joe Biden's positions on Israel relations.
Marc Stanley, Chairman of the NJDC, wrote an op-ed in the JTA
entitled "Why Jews Voted for Obama." In the article, he gave two explanations. "First, Obama’s performance in the debates belied the GOP narrative that he could not be trusted, while McCain’s pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate undermined his Jewish support. Second, Jewish Democrats—the National Jewish Democratic Council, along with the Obama campaign and other independent efforts—were better organized than ever."
administration's policies such as the 2009 stimulus package, and the president's decision to pull out of Durban II, the UN conference against racism which has been known to be a forum for anti-Israel discussion. The NJDC has stated its trust in Obama's support for Israel, and has charged other organizations like the Republican Jewish Coalition of distorting information about Barack Obama and his support for Israel.
The NJDC is outspoken in support of a strong U.S.-Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
relationship, Separation between Church and State
Separation of church and state in the United States
The phrase "separation of church and state" , attributed to Thomas Jefferson and others, and since quoted by the Supreme Court of the United States, expresses an understanding of the intent and function of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States...
(in the US), and reproductive freedom
Pro-choice
Support for the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-choice movement, a sociopolitical movement supporting the ethical view that a woman should have the legal right to elective abortion, meaning the right to terminate her pregnancy....
.
The NJDC engages in voter education efforts and works with secular and Jewish media to promote the Democratic Party and its ideals.
The organization also serves as a resource to candidates throughout the country, helping them understand issues of importance to the Jewish community.
In addition, the NJDC serves as a liberal watchdog on the lawful activities of the religious portion of the Right, acting to raise public awareness about efforts to undermine the wall between church and state. These efforts are in furtherance of a solidly liberal agenda that NJDC promotes.
In 2007, its Annual Washington Conference attracted every major Democratic candidate for president, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and several party leaders, including Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
Chairman Howard Dean
Howard Dean
Howard Brush Dean III is an American politician and physician from Vermont. He served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. Although his U.S...
and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
Steny Hoyer
Steny Hamilton Hoyer is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1981. The district includes a large swath of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C.. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
.
NJDC worked on the national level to help turn out Jewish voters in the 2004 elections
United States elections, 2004
The 2004 United States general elections were held on November 2, with George W. Bush being re-elected to a second term as President. Riding Bush's coattails, the Republicans picked up net gains of 4 Senate seats and 3 House seats, increasing their majorities in both House in Congress. In the state...
and 2008 elections
United States elections, 2008
The 2008 United States general elections were held on November 4. The result was a significant victory for the Democratic Party on the national level, as they increased majorities in both houses of Congress and won the Presidency. Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain in the...
, provide voter education, and fight against the radical right at every level. NJDC also works to send voter guides and direct mail to targeted Jewish households. In 2004, NJDC targeted 250,000 Jewish households in swing states with an intensive direct mail campaign.
Mission
Founded in 1990, the National Jewish Democratic Council is the national voice of Jewish Democrats. Informed by its commitment to those values shared by the Democratic Party and the vast majority of American Jews - including the separation of church and state, a strong US-Israel relationship, and reproductive freedom - NJDC's singular set of priorities includes:- Educating Jewish voters about the very real differences between their Democratic and Republican candidates for elected office through special reports and voter guides. NJDC has distributed more than 250,000 informational guides to Jewish households in recent election cycles.
- Informing candidates for public office about the need to address and support issues of concern to the Jewish community.
- Advocating on behalf of Jewish and Democratic ideals on Capitol Hill and in Jewish and national media.
- Fighting the radical right agenda at every turn through research and reports, grassroots advocacy, working directly with lawmakers in Washington, and educating journalists.
- Engaging and cultivating a new generation of young Jewish Democratic leaders by replicating our highly successful Washington-based Young Leadership program in other major cities, including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Cleveland and South Florida.
- Expanding Jewish awareness of critical legislative activity through quarterly and biweekly publications, as well as Breakfast Roundtables and Domestic Issues Forums featuring congressional and executive branch leaders.
NJDC leadership
- Senator Ben CardinBen CardinBenjamin Louis "Ben" Cardin is the junior United States Senator from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. Before his election to the Senate, Cardin was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing from 1987 to 2007.Cardin was elected to succeed Paul Sarbanes in...
, Honorary Chair - Senator Ron WydenRon WydenRonald Lee "Ron" Wyden is the senior U.S. Senator for Oregon, serving since 1996, and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 1996....
, Honorary Chair - Marc R. StanleyMarc R. StanleyMarc R. Stanley is the Chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council.Stanley is a founding and current partner of Stanley, Mandel & Iola, L.L.P...
, Chair, Dallas, TX - Sunita Leeds, Vice-Chair, Washington, DC
- Gregg Steinberg, Vice-Chair, Chicago, IL
- Marc Winkelman, Secretary, Austin, TX
- Sheldon Cohen, Treasurer, Washington, DC
- David A. Harris, President and CEO, Washington, DC
2008 election
In October 2008, the NJDC held a conference in Washington DC at which then Vice Presidential candidate Joe BidenJoe Biden
Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama...
was the keynote speaker. Other notable speakers included Al Franken
Al Franken
Alan Stuart "Al" Franken is the junior United States Senator from Minnesota. He is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, which affiliates with the national Democratic Party....
and Governor Howard Dean
Howard Dean
Howard Brush Dean III is an American politician and physician from Vermont. He served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. Although his U.S...
.
It was noted that "In 2008, The NJDC trained nearly 100 surrogates to speak around country, according to Forman, ran newspaper ad campaigns in pivotal swing states, sent 350,000 targeted pieces of mail to Jewish households, dropped 35,000 pieces of literature in key Jewish neighborhoods and ran Internet and Google word search campaigns."
In an article written on November 9, 2008, it was mentioned that "American Jewish voters have once again overwhelmingly supported the Democratic presidential nominee" and that "with Obama's victory, we selected a candidate who shares the values of the vast majority of American Jews, including the separation of church and state, a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, and reproductive freedom."
During the final days of the 2008 presidential campaign, an article came out explaining that "The National Jewish Democratic Council is sending out more than 350,000 mailers to Jewish households in key swing states, re-asserting the Democratic nominees stance on a number of issues." This article includes many fliers put out by the NJDC in order to inform voters about Barack Obama and Joe Biden's positions on Israel relations.
Marc Stanley, Chairman of the NJDC, wrote an op-ed in the JTA
JTA
JTA can refer to the following:* Jacksonville Transportation Authority* Java Transaction API* Jewish Telegraphic Agency* Japan Transocean Air* Japan Tourism Agency* Johnson Temperament Analysis* Junction tree algorithm* Japan Tennis Association...
entitled "Why Jews Voted for Obama." In the article, he gave two explanations. "First, Obama’s performance in the debates belied the GOP narrative that he could not be trusted, while McCain’s pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate undermined his Jewish support. Second, Jewish Democrats—the National Jewish Democratic Council, along with the Obama campaign and other independent efforts—were better organized than ever."
- In 2008, exit polls showed that Barack ObamaBarack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
received 78% of the Jewish vote.
Barack Obama Presidency
The NJDC has shown approval for the ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
administration's policies such as the 2009 stimulus package, and the president's decision to pull out of Durban II, the UN conference against racism which has been known to be a forum for anti-Israel discussion. The NJDC has stated its trust in Obama's support for Israel, and has charged other organizations like the Republican Jewish Coalition of distorting information about Barack Obama and his support for Israel.
External links
- Official website
- Official blog
- Jewish Voter Statistics
- Jewish Members of Congress
- NJDC’s Top 10 Accomplishments of 2008
Issues pages
- Israel http://www.njdc.org/issues/category/israel
- Separation of Church & State http://www.njdc.org/issues/category/church_state
- Reproductive Rights http://www.njdc.org/issues/category/reproductive_rights
- Women's Issues http://www.njdc.org/issues/category/womens_issues
- Other Foreign Policy http://www.njdc.org/issues/category/other_foreign_policy
- Other Domestic Policy http://www.njdc.org/issues/category/other_domestic_policy