The American Jewish Community Stands Up for Democracy
American democracy has made this country home to one of the most vibrant and vital Diaspora Jewish communities of the last 2,000 years. Our ability to not just survive, but to flourish here depends on the preservation and continual improvement of that democracy. As leaders in American Jewish civil society – our vast network of voluntary associations, nonprofits, and philanthropies – we need to make clear and explicit our commitment to the democracy that makes Jewish life in this country possible. And not just to commit to a set of abstract principles, but to bind ourselves to protect and defend them as if our safety, security, and ability to thrive depend on them – because they do.
Note: Of course these principles aren’t specific or exclusive to the Jewish community, and we’re working to expand their reach to civil society partners and allies in other communities as well. More on that effort soon!
On behalf of the civil society organizations we lead, and as individuals dedicated to upholding democracy, we commit:
To respect the rule of law and support and defend the fundamental American principle of equal justice under the law.
To defend the sacrosanct American rights to free speech, free expression, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, and free exercise of religion.
To honor fact-based deliberation and speak out against falsehoods that undermine respect for and confidence in our elections, the Constitution, and the rule of law.
To support free, fair, safe, and accessible elections; the right of all eligible voters to cast their votes and have them counted; and to honor the outcomes of those elections through the peaceful continuation or transfer of power.
To resolve differences within and beyond our community through respectful discussion and deliberation, to eschew dehumanization of our political opponents, and to firmly reject political violence in all forms.
To hold government officials, political and civic leaders, and candidates for elected office responsible and accountable for all of the above.
These principles were drawn from nonpartisan experts in the democracy field, including Freedom House, V‑Dem, Protect Democracy, and the Society for the Rule of Law.
Bringing the Principles to Life
Given the stakes, signing onto these principles must be a transformative, not a performative act. Below, you’ll find guidance for both proactive and reactive opportunities to bring the principles to life in your institution.
Once you’ve adopted the Principles…
If and when these Principles are tested or challenged…
Dedicate time at a board meeting to discuss the Principles, both to raise awareness about the issues at stake and to build shared commitment to living up to them.
Integrate the Principles into organizational culture and HR policy. Draw on resources like Leading Edge’s “Resources for Managing Teams with Diverse Viewpoints.”
Share the Principles and the rationale for signing onto them with your community through an email, a speech or sermon, an announcement, and/or by posting the Principles prominently on your website.
Reach out to other leaders/organizations with whom you have relationships and encourage them to adopt the Principles as well. If you lead a network or umbrella organization, encourage your members or affiliates to adopt the Principles. There is safety – and power – in numbers.
Partners in the Jewish Partnership for Democracy can take advantage of additional recommendations in our “Equip Toolkit,”which includes helpful templates, election-related scenarios, talking points, and other useful resources. Jewish organizations that are not yet in the network can join for free.
The Democracy Principles are powered by A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy, a cross-ideological and cross-denominational network of Jewish civil society organizations mobilizing the American Jewish community to protect and strengthen American democracy.