About The Jewish Partnership for Democracy
Sparking civic renewal across the American Jewish community
Through funding, training, and a national network, we empower Jewish institutions to:
Equip their communities with the knowledge and skills needed to become centers of civic renewal
Connect through trusted relationships across differences and beyond partisanship
Act with courage and purpose, while leveraging their positions as trusted messengers
What is the JPD?
The Jewish Partnership for Democracy (JPD) is a nonpartisan initiative of A More Perfect Union that brings together more than 200 Jewish organizations — across denominations, geographies, and political beliefs — to strengthen civic life in their communities. Launched in January 2022, we’ve inspired and supported Jewish organizations across the country to mobilize their communities to uphold democracy.
Jewish communities. American democracy. Shared future.
Democracy Principles
We are guided by a set of nonpartisan Democracy Principles, not a political agenda. When those principles are under threat, we speak and act.
We know that the American Jewish community holds a broad diversity of perspectives on many issues – religious and political – and we see that diversity as a source of enormous communal strength.
Democracy, however, isn't an issue. It's the set of ground rules that allow all Americans to pursue the things that matter, safely and respectfully. We believe that Jews – and all Americans – across the political and ideological spectrum should embrace these principles, even as they continue to espouse and pursue divergent policy priorities.
JPD Partners affirm the following principles:
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We commit to respect the rule of law and support and defend the fundamental American principle of equal justice under the law.
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We commit to support free, fair, safe, and accessible elections; to safeguard the right of all eligible voters to cast their ballots and have them counted; and to honor the outcomes of elections through the peaceful continuation or transfer of power.
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We commit to defend the sacrosanct American rights to free speech, free expression, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, free exercise of religion, and due process.
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We commit to embrace vibrant pluralism in which we resolve differences within and beyond our community through respectful discussion, deliberation, debate, and compromise; to forswear dehumanization of our political opponents; and to firmly reject political violence.
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We commit to fact-based deliberation and to speaking out against falsehoods that undermine respect for and confidence in our elections, the Constitution, and the rule of law.
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We commit to hold government officials, political and civic leaders, and candidates for elected office responsible and accountable for all of these principles, while acknowledging and defending their right to pursue divergent policy positions and perspectives.
What is Civic Renewal?
Civic renewal is about more than just voting—it’s about rebuilding connection, trust, and shared responsibility in our communities. Jewish organizations are uniquely positioned to lead this work by bringing people together to solve real problems, build relationships, and strengthen local democracy.
This is what civic renewal means: not just showing up, but shaping the places we live for the better.
Civic renewal is the everyday work of democracy.
It looks like:
Offering a class about Judaism and democracy
Teaching about elections or local government
Holding an event to honor poll workers and civic volunteers
Partnering with neighbors to solve local challenges
And more!
Jewish organizations have always been engaged in the civic life of their communities — with wisdom, with resolve, and with care for one another. The JPD helps Jewish organizations carry that legacy forward today by supporting their efforts to strengthen civic life and uphold the values that make our communities strong.