National Jewish Democratic Council

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The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC), founded in 1990, is "the national voice of Jewish Democrats" in the United States. It describes its main goals as promoting "separation of church and state, a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, and reproductive freedom."

The executive Director of the NJDC is Ira N. Forman. Forman believes NJDC is the organization that “best reflects the values and aspirations of American Jews. The Democratic Party, at its best, lives up to portions of our prophetic tradition to do justice and create a better world.” On domestic issues, Forman points out, American Jews are overwhelmingly in agreement with Democratic Party positions.[1]

With a significantly smaller budget than the Republican Jewish Coalition, NJDC has only two permanent field offices in New York and Chicago and relies on networking, volunteers and e-mail to spread messages about candidates it supports.

[edit] Priorities

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.

[edit] NJDC Young Leadership Program

Started in 1998, NJDC's Young Leadership program has built recruited young Jewish Democratic leaders. Currently, it has a reported membership of 1000 nationwide.