The Workers Circle Resigns from the Conference of Presidents

August 2, 2023
Contact: Lynsey Billet, lynsey@anatgerstein.com 347-361-8449

The Workers Circle resigned from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations on August 2, 2023.

Jewish Telegraphic Agency “The Workers Circle, progressive Jewish group, leaves Conference of Presidents over disagreements on US and Israel advocacy:”

Harriet P. Schleifer, Chair
William C. Daroff, CEO
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
633 Third Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10017

Dear Harriet and William:

Please consider this letter the Workers Circle’s resignation from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (COP). This is not a decision that we have made lightly. We have been a longtime member of the COP and share its concern for the interests of the American and world Jewish communities. However, we have disagreed with the COP’s reluctance to critique Israel, its equation of such critique as antisemitism, its adoption and promotion of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and its failure to condemn the Israeli parliament’s recent steps to erode democracy in Israel.

We are further dismayed at the silence of COP in the face of the many attacks on democracy here in the United States. Dozens of state legislatures have gerrymandered districts and enacted voter suppression laws obstructing the voting power of millions of Americans — targeting voters of color; right-wing justices are rolling back critical rights; and white nationalist groups are threatening democratic values, freedom of expression, and electoral processes. We are working in partnership to counter these alarming actions and pass comprehensive voting rights and democracy reform legislation. Meanwhile, the COP has remained on the sidelines.

We are very disappointed that the Conference of Presidents has not used its substantial influence and resources to forcefully speak out in opposition to the anti-democratic policies and positions of the current Israeli government.

We expressed our grave concern in a statement issued last month, as follows:

The Workers Circle has been engaged in a comprehensive campaign to protect democracy and voting rights in the United States. As an organization rooted in Jewish culture and social and economic justice since our inception in 1900, we cannot remain silent about the alarming efforts to undermine democracy in Israel. We stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Israelis protesting the government’s effort to weaken the judiciary. While Israel has a long way to go in advancing human rights fairly and fully to all, particularly to Palestinians and other marginalized communities, any such progress in this endeavor will be that much more challenging to achieve if the independence of the nation’s institution responsible for enforcing laws and protecting rights is compromised.

Last week the Workers Circle publicly condemned the removal of judicial oversight of Israel’s legislature by rightwing lawmakers and were shocked to read COP’s statements urging only “consensus.” Democracy cannot defend itself whether in Israel or here in the United States.

The American Jewish community today requires a strong advocate to fight for the principles and protections of democracy that first brought millions of our ancestors from Eastern Europe and across the world to the United States in the 20th century. These immigrants escaped from autocratic rule in their homelands along with violence and economic oppression and chose this country as their new home because of the opportunities and promise of its democratic society.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations should be a voice to advocate for democracy, rooted in Jewish text and traditions, that has served to protect our Jewish community for the past century — here and in Israel. We cannot be part of an organization that stands idly by in the face of these existential crises.

Respectfully,

Zeev Dagan Ann Toback
President Chief Executive Officer

About the Workers Circle

Founded 123 years ago, the Workers Circle (formerly known as the Workmen’s Circle) is a social justice organization that powers progressive Jewish identity through Jewish cultural engagement, Yiddish language learning, multigenerational education, and social justice activism. For over a century we have provided this 360-degree approach to Jewish identity-building. Through contemporary cultural programs, strategic social justice campaigns, vibrant Yiddish language classes, interactive educational experiences and more, we connect Jewish adults, kids and families of all affiliations with their cultural heritage, working to build a better and more beautiful world for all. Learn more at www.circle.org.