About Jewish Community and Friends for Democracy

Jewish Community & Friends for Democracy is a community group of Oak Park and River Forest voters who are calling upon leaders who represent us, or seek to do so, to address the appalling rise of antisemitic hate on both the Left and the Right.

We share deep concerns about the polarization on the Left and within the Democratic Party, including demonization of Zionists and Israelis, the use of hate-coded slogans, and litmus tests for inclusion of our voices in justice movements in which the Jewish community has long played a significant leading role.

We are also greatly dismayed by the rise in antisemitism on the Right, including the failure of Republican leaders and organizations to purge Nazis and far-right racists and antisemites from leadership roles. We are also concerned about the administration's crackdown on antisemitism on college campuses — imposing significant penalties, including defunding vital research, purportedly in the name of addressing antisemitism on campuses, while simultaneously allowing deep antisemitism to flourish in Executive Branch departments.

We do not support the use of antisemitism as an excuse for cracking down on universities and defunding vital research programs. As a community that has long allied with immigrants and refugees, we reject the weaponization of any form of bigotry to advance political agendas.

We welcome partnerships across the political spectrum that deepen understanding and build essential and inclusive relationships.

Our Values

Our Community

We represent diverse perspectives within the Jewish community and its allies, united by our commitment to:

• Protecting the interests and safety of Jewish community members
• Supporting Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state
• Combating antisemitism in all forms, on both the Left and the Right
• Educating leaders as to the concerns of our community for the sake of protecting our Jewish and democratic values and norms

Our Commitment

We are committed to transparency, fairness, and inclusion in the work we do. We believe that an informed citizenry is essential to democracy. We strive to provide the information our community needs to be knowledgeable about our shared concerns and to be active participants in ensuring our values can be upheld.