While U.S. law generally prohibits the use of the military for domestic policing, the Insurrection Act is a federal law that gives the President of the United States the authority to deploy the U.S. military or federalized National Guard inside the country under certain circumstances.

In this white paper, we make the case for sustained engagement to preserve this fragile and imperative system of self-governance.

Recent deployments of the National Guard reflect a growing trend: the use — or threatened use — of federal military power in domestic situations that have traditionally fallen under local or state control.

As Jewish clergy, we hold trusted moral authority in our communities. That power is sacred — it comes from our ability to speak to shared values, not partisan identities. Recent IRS changes have weakened enforcement of the Johnson Amendment, which for decades prohibited religious institutions from endorsing political candidates. In this new environment, rabbis and cantors may feel pressure to bring partisanship to the pulpit.

What should the Jewish community be doing for America's 250th anniversary in 2026? Faith250 – a project of Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation’s American Scripture Project – brings together multi-faith clusters of clergy across the country facilitate deep conversations about our nation's values and future.

In the weeks leading up to the 2024 election, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Bay Area was acutely aware of its community’s feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Rather than wait for potential crises to unfold, its team chose to lean into the positive actions they could proactively pursue.

Throughout history, Jewish communities have been vulnerable to arbitrary actions and government overreach—whether it be during times of crisis or political upheaval. In the face of such adversity, the right to due process has often served as a critical safeguard.

In the heart of Central Kentucky, the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass is turning civic concern into effective action. Amid increasing community anxiety about a wide range of issues - from antisemitism to the breakdown of American democratic norms - the Federation observed an urgent need: to equip their community with new knowledge, tools, and approaches to enact meaningful change. Realizing that legislative and societal shifts require more than just passion, they have created a comprehensive training initiative that transforms concerned citizens into confident advocates.

As politicized efforts grow to intimidate, investigate, or revoke the tax-exempt status of mission-driven nonprofits, Jewish leaders must protect our own and stand up for our partners. This one-pager outlines five key things Jewish 501(c)(3)s must know to safeguard themselves — and the civic space we all rely on.

Faith organizations and community members must feel confident that they can do this work safely and impactfully. Jewish and other faith organizations must invest in bolstering their security, critical relationships, and essential skills to enable them to mitigate threats to democracy. This toolkit is intended to help you develop the tools and techniques you need to engage in pro-democracy action without fear or anxiety.

Threats to cut federal funding been levied at many American institutions over the last few weeks, and while they claim to be “fighting antisemitism,” they should raise a number of concerns for us as Americans and as American Jews.

How can we prepare young people to become stewards of democracy in an increasingly polarized society? At the Brandeis School of San Francisco, educators are tackling this challenge by weaving it throughout the curriculum.And now, they are making it easy for other Jewish educators to build on their success.

Free speech is indispensable to American Jews, who have exercised this right to advocate boldly for our communities and causes without fear of government retribution. If freedom of religion allows us to thrive as Jews, freedom of speech empowers us to thrive as Americans.

Civil liberties protect the freedom of all citizens to do specific things without interference from the government. In contrast, civil rights protect people from discrimination based on a set of shared identity characteristics (race, gender, etc.).

How do we maintain relationships, heal societal fractures, and preserve civil discourse in an era of deepening political divisions? In September 2024, Limmud North America and the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies collaborated on an innovative day-long symposium designed to help learners navigate a contentious election season. “The Jewish Guide to Talking Politics" combined Jewish teachings with practical skills for engaging in difficult conversations across political divides.

Advocacy and community mobilization are core to the Religious Action Center’s (RAC) mission. The RAC, which is nested within the umbrella of the Reform Movement, has long pursued issue-focused social justice work. So when a new bill was introduced at the end of the 2023-2024 legislative session that could drastically rewrite the rule for government regulation of nonprofits in the U.S., the team at the RAC knew that Jewish organizations across the board were in a precarious situation, as well. 

Presidential pardons have received an unusual amount of attention in the last year, and for good reason – actions by both President Biden and President-Elect Trump have raised questions about the expansive nature of this power.

Meet the Fellows of the American Jewish Civics Seminar (AJCS), a small cohort of Jewish scholars and educators working together to nurture the emergence of a distinctively American Jewish civic learning field.

On September 17, 2024, A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy brought together leaders from 75 Jewish organizations across the United States for the Equip 2024: Community Preparedness Summit. This first-of-its-kind summit aimed to furnish Jewish organizations with the knowledge, values, skills, and strategies needed to support their communities through any election-related challenges. 

Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom is no stranger to civic engagement. As a founding partner of the Jewish Partnership for Democracy, this community has long been active in participatory democracy work. But in 2024, they wanted to try something new. Recognizing the deepening political divisions in their community and beyond, Oheb Sholom launched an ambitious new project: an interfaith clergy book group focused on bridging political divides.