JEI wishes all of its members a very Happy Sukkot. Sukkot reminds us that even in times of chaos, the fall harvest should not be ignored. Whether you celebrate in your own, a friend’s, a neighbor’s, or a synagogue’s sukkah, we think about Jewish rituals that make us smile and rejoice in this festival. Throughout the week, we celebrate the fall harvest and recall the temporary shelters that the Israelites used during their journey through the desert. We eat together, welcome guests, celebrate, and create Jewish life in public.
That idea feels particularly relevant this year. At a time when Jewish Americans are thinking about security, antisemitism, and the ability to participate openly in Jewish life, Sukkot offers an important reminder: Jewish community is not something we should have to hide.
JEI’S POLL RESULTS & PRESENTATION
This past week, we released our poll and received national and international press. We wanted our poll questions to take a deeper dive into questions that we so often see in other polls, including a few of our own. Serious concerns, if not “red flags,” were evident. Our exclusive, invitation-only briefing was held on Thursday with attendees across the United States and even Israel.
By looking at our prior polls and comparing similar or identical questions with those in this latest poll, we were also able to identify important trends. It became clear that some of these concerns are not isolated and warrant the attention of both Republicans and Democrats. However, it must be understood that when we began polling in 2018, antisemitism, October 7, questioning arms sales to Israel, and campaign funding sources were not our only focus. This latest poll asked very direct and pointed questions with no preconceived responses. Please visit our website for the complete poll questions, the Mellman Group summary memo and slide deck, and some of the press coverage about the poll.
JEI ADVOCACY WORK & ACTION ALERT
JEI recently sent letters in support of two pieces of important legislation. They can be found Here. JEI supports continued bipartisan engagement on these issues and believes that the experiences and perspectives of Jewish Americans should remain central to the conversation.
*If you agree with us, we encourage you to contact your House and Senate Representatives and urge them to support legislation that would directly impact our Jewish community.*
H.R. 10052 & S.5289: The Right to Worship Act
These two bipartisan bills were introduced in both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. The ability of Americans to enter their houses of worship without intimidation or deliberate disruption is critical to the Jewish community. The House bill is sponsored by Congressmen Brad Knott, Tom Suozzi, Mike Lawler, and Josh Gottheimer. On the Senate side, it is sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz and Elissa Slotkin. These would establish protections around entrances to houses of worship during scheduled religious services. These bills address specific concerns about being able to walk into a house of worship every day, and especially on holidays including Shabbat, without being blocked, threatened, or intimidated.
H.R.9211 & S.4576: The Jewish American Security Act
These two bipartisan bills were also introduced in both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. A broader look at the federal government’s response to the growing antisemitism and the security challenges facing Jewish Americans and Jewish institutions can neither be minimized nor discounted. The bills confirm that both Republicans and Democrats are paying attention. The legislation reflects a growing recognition that protecting Jewish Americans requires more than responding after an incident occurs. It requires coordination, prevention, data, resources, and sustained federal attention.
H.R. 9211 was introduced in the House by Representatives Dan Goldman and Mike Lawler and was referred to several committees: Education and Workforce; Judiciary; Homeland Security’s Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee; Transportation and Infrastructure; Energy and Commerce.
S. 4576 was introduced by Senators Jacky Rosen and James Lankford and was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
WHAT JEWISH AMERICANS ARE WATCHING
For the Jewish electorate, these issues intersect with a larger question:
What does it mean to be Jewish and fully participate in American life today?
That includes the freedom to worship, the ability to gather as a community, the security of Jewish institutions, and the ability to express Jewish identity openly.
As we celebrate Sukkot, we are reminded that Jewish life has always been built around community—families and friends gathering together, welcoming others, and creating spaces for Jewish tradition to flourish.
JEI will continue to track how Jewish Americans view these issues and how their perspectives are shaping the national conversation. We hope you will join our JEI family and consider making a donation to help us continue our polling, research, studies, and educational programming. Your support makes it possible for us to keep asking the important questions and ensuring that the voices of Jewish Americans are heard.
Again, Chag Sukkot Sameach from all of us at the Jewish Electorate Institute.
Barbara Goldman Goldberg
Chair, JEI
