Dear NCDPJC Members,
We want to begin by acknowledging the wide range of deeply held beliefs within our Caucus: about Judaism, about Israel, and about the responsibilities we share as Jewish Democrats in North Carolina.
That being said, Saturday’s SEC meeting was difficult. As you may have heard, a series of resolutions narrowly passed that, among other things, call for an embargo on Israel. The outcome has triggered reactions not only across our state, but nationally and even internationally. As Jewish Democrats, we find ourselves at the center of a complicated and consequential moment and, as frustrating and disappointing as it is, we do not believe even this slim defeat accurately reflects the Democratic Party at the state and/or national level.
Let us be clear: we remain committed to electing Democrats who reflect our values. That has always been, and will continue to be, our mission. We are not walking away from the Party. But until the Party’s leadership demonstrates that it is willing to engage with us in good faith and ensure the safety and dignity of North Carolina’s Jewish Democrats, we will limit our engagement at the state level and focus our energy on organizing, endorsing, and supporting aligned candidates.
We are also preparing a public-facing campaign to highlight our concerns from Saturday’s meeting. These include:
- Harmful Resolutions Passed Without Debate. Some resolutions that were rushed through—without deliberation or context—present real risks, not only to Jewish communities, but to all North Carolinians. For instance, a resolution was passed without debate that calls on state and local law enforcement to “dissolve any relationship” with federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. This kind of blanket policy, passed without input from public safety experts or the communities it would affect, reflects a serious lapse in judgment.
- A Lack of Voting Transparency. SEC votes were taken by hand count with no member identification or verification. We will advocate for secure, accountable, and transparent voting procedures moving forward.
- Widespread Procedural Confusion. Motions and votes were often unclear, leaving many unsure about what was being decided. This undermines confidence in the process and in our shared governance.
Our first call to action is simple but powerful: Invite one friend, colleague, or family member to join the Jewish Caucus today. Our strength is in our numbers.
Visit NCDPJC.org and click “Join Us.”
We also encourage you to donate directly to the Caucus, so we can support candidates who share our values and will stand with North Carolina’s Jewish community.
Thank you for your continued trust. We will be back in touch soon with further updates. In the meantime, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and meaningful Fourth of July.
In solidarity,