Politicians at Democratic National Convention court Orthodox Jews, reliable Republican voters

‘The power of the Orthodox community now is so critically important, said Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a moderate Democrat from New Jersey

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat from Michigan, at Agudath Israel of America event in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2024. Photo by Jacob Kornbluh

By Jacob Kornbluh August 20, 2024

CHICAGO — Addressing a room of more than 80 Orthodox leaders and activists on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, several Democratic members of Congress implored them to keep speaking out on the importance of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and to combat antisemitism in the wake of a rise in pro-Palestinian protests and antisemitic incidents.

“The power of the Orthodox community now is so critically important,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a moderate Democrat from New Jersey, at an event hosted by Agudath Israel of America, an Orthodox advocacy group. “Speak out every single day, remind everyone that there’s no hate allowed in the Democratic party, the Republican Party – in any party – that there’s no room for hate in the greatest country in the world.”

Orthodox Jews have long been a political photo negative of the majority of American Jews who reliably vote for Democrats. Orthodox Jews turned out en masse for former President Donald Trump in 2020, and polls indicate they will repeat their vote for the Republican nominee in 2024. But there has been a shift in recent years, especially among the Modern Orthodox, whose Zionist feelings have intensified since Oct. 7, to participate in the Democratic primaries. Earlier this year, a surge in turnout among Jewish voters helped George Latimer defeat Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a fierce critic of Israel, in New York’s 16th congressional district, and Rep. Cori Bush in Missouri.

Sol Werdiger, chairman of Agudath Israel’s board of trustees, said it was important for the Orthodox organization to have a presence at the DNC to counter the pro-Palestinian protests outside the venue. “We are the children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, and we will never cower or be silenced,” Werdiger said. “On the contrary, we intend to stand up for our rights, for our freedoms, and we need you to stand with us now against this hate and antisemitism.” Outside the ballroom at the Marriott Marquis, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to enter the room to disrupt the event, but they were held up by security.

Werdiger said the first-of-its-kind event was also “deliberately” being held on the sidelines of the DNC to “highlight the explosive growth and electoral participation of the community.”

Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan told the crowd that support for Israel needs to be kept bipartisan, “and I can tell you that overwhelmingly, it is in that convention across the street there is no question about that.”

Stabenow added: “Thank you for the values that you bring to the community, to the convention, in Chicago and the values you bring to our country. We need your help in staying on the right track.”

At the start of the event, the parents of American-Israeli hostage Omer Neutra recited Psalms 130 to pray for the return of all the hostages.

Also addressing the crowd were Latimer and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who both own their election with the support of Orthodox voters. Ilan Goldenberg, the Harris campaign’s director of Jewish outreach, attended the event.

Jacob Kornbluh is the Forward’s senior political reporter. Follow him on Twitter @jacobkornbluh or email [email protected].

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