Dear Friend,

Last week we released data on where American Jews are in 2020 — how our community is thinking about the election, the current administration, antisemitism, and more.

American Jews know that this election is one of the most important in our lifetimes. That’s why we’re joining with our allies in our just-launched 2020 campaign, We Rise As One. Together, we are rising up in the face of increasingly violent white nationalism and antisemitism to create a world where we are all safe and free.

This May, our movement is coming together ahead of the election to connect, learn, and take action for the most just world we envision. Join us at Pursuing Justice 2020, Bend the Arc’s national conference in Washington, DC.

Here are five critical findings from our survey, and opportunities to learn more at Pursuing Justice 2020:

1. The top issue among Jewish voters in 2020 is defeating Trump.

Learn more at: How We Win in 2020

What are we going to do differently this time to avoid a repeat of 2016? What are the crucial states, counties, demographics, and procedural fights that could tip the balance of power? It might not be what you’d expect! In this session get expert analysis of electoral strategy from experts who know it best. We’ll also discuss what you — you! — can do to help us win in 2020.

2. 90% of Jewish voters believe antisemitism has increased in the past four years.

Learn more at: Understanding White Nationalism and How We Fight It

The white nationalist movement is a growing force in the United States today. Responsible for deadly attacks on Jews, immigrants, and other marginalized communities, the white nationalist movement holds antisemitism at its core and is fueled by extreme misogyny, anti-immigrant racism, and white supremacy. The movement is influencing right-wing leaders from President Trump to Fox News anchors and is shaping the worldview of millions of Americans. In this workshop we’ll hear expert analysis from Political Research Associates on the white nationalist movement and from staff at JOIN and Bend the Arc about what campaigns that successfully fight it look like.

3. 73% of Jewish voters feel less safe today than they did four years ago.

Learn more at: Pittsburgh Loves All Our Neighbors: How We Responded to Tragedy and Changed the Narrative

Following the October 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, the local Bend the Arc minyan leaders came together in mourning and in action. Join this session to hear about how they combined deep Jewish references, compelling messaging, and art to speak truth to power. Together, we will unpack the structures and strategies that made it possible to quickly achieve a major action in a short timeframe and leverage the temporary spotlight while managing personal and communal trauma. Participants will have the opportunity to apply lessons learned from Pittsburgh to their geographic contexts and participate in some “artivism.”

4. 76% of Jewish voters believe Trump holds racist views.

Learn more at: Immigration Injustice: Anti-Immigrant Policy in the United States Past and Present

Who belongs in the United States? Immigration debates and xenphobic rhetoric have always been a part of our political and civil history and contemporary discourse. As they both ramp up, it is imperative to understand the roots and impacts of our immigration systems. In this workshop with Avodah and HIAS, we’ll explore how the forceful seizure of land, people, wealth, and power was legalized and how white supremacy and white nationalism are part of U.S. policy as a result. Using the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program and the crisis at the U.S./Mexico border as case studies, we will explore how today’s policies are a continuation of this trajectory and develop action plans to serve as allies and advocates for impacted people.

5. 46% of Jewish voters have been inspired to get involved in political activism.

Learn more at: Bringing our Jewish Selves to Nonviolent Direct Action

In the Exodus story, Torah teaches that an erev rav (“mixed multitude”) left Pharoah’s Egypt to wander together in the desert towards freedom. What does it take to put our bodies on the line and participate directly in the struggle for justice and liberation? In this session we’ll discuss the ways resistance movements used nonviolent direct action in Torah, and what Jewish movements today can learn from these teachings. We’ll explore theory and research on the success of nonviolent civil disobedience, and practice critical skills for building nonviolent movements rooted in Jewish identity.

We were made for this moment. Resistance and survival are our birthright. By working together — Jews and allies — we can win in this election cycle and build a multiracial democracy where we all thrive.

Join us in learning and action at Pursuing Justice 2020. View the list of workshops and speakers, and sign up today to be there with our community in May.

In solidarity,

The Bend the Arc team

PS: Interested in the data? Find it on our website at www.bendthearc.us/votersurvey.