About

Democracy is confronting its greatest challenges in generations, both in the United States and around the world.

Increasing toxic polarization, erosion of trust in and commitment to democratic norms and institutions, concerted efforts to subvert elections, and an alarming rise in extremism and political violence all threaten the democratic system that — for all its limitations — has enabled dramatic improvements in the rights and lives of its citizens for nearly 250 years.

This degradation of democracy affects all of us, and its preservation will take all of us. The Jewish community has thrived in America alongside other marginalized and minority groups who have found a home here. It is now necessary to join with these communities, and others from the business, labor, faith, and government sectors, in ensuring the same is true for the next generation.

“Democracy is something you do,
not something you have.”

- Dr. Hahrie Han, Strategic Advisor
SNF Agora Institute, Johns Hopkins University

Our Strategy

We recruit and support Jewish institutions – the Jewish Partnership for Democracy – to make and achieve meaningful, action-based commitments to American democracy. These commitments ensure that locally rooted and relevant pro-democracy action is taking place in communities where it can be most impactful, and not just during national campaigns run by us or other organizations. Commitments represent intrinsically meaningful efforts to encourage a culture of democracy.
A More Perfect Union provides inspiration, resources, technical assistance and resources, training and networking, funding, and support to help our partners succeed at their commitments to ensure a groundswell of pro-democracy action all across the country.
We build a trust-based, transpartisan network among our partners and mobilize them to take collective action to support democracy. Partner commitments are just the first step. Once partners join the network, we provide a plethora of curated opportunities that foster collaboration and compound successes. These shared efforts ensure the “whole” of the network is far greater than the sum of its parts, and that we can meaningfully mobilize institutions across the country in national efforts when necessary.
We articulate and elevate compelling narratives about the Jewish commitment to protect and strengthen American democracy on both the Jewish communal and pro-democracy communities' agendas. From The Forward to The New York Times, we continue to make the case for a renewed commitment to democracy, pluralism, and coexistence. Partner commitments provide powerful examples of community-based action while coordinated efforts show the world how deeply the Jewish community invests in a system that protects minorities of all stripes.

Get involved.

If you, like us, remain invested in ensuring a healthy and functioning American democracy, join
us as we dig in to ensure a strong and resilient democracy this year and beyond.

Strategic Advisory

Mike Berkowitz

Co-Founder, Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies
Dr. Mijal Bitton

Scholar in Residence, Shalom Hartman Institute of North America
Rabbi Sharon Brous

Founding and Senior Rabbi, IKAR
Erica Brown

Vice Provost and Director of Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership, Yeshiva University
Rachel Brown

Executive Director, Over Zero
Kristen Cambell

Chief Executive Officer, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement
Mona Charen

Policy Editor, The Bulwark and Host, Beg to Differ Podcast
Chris Crawford

Policy Advocate, Protect Democracy
William Daroff

CEO, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Louise Dubé

Executive Director, iCivics
Rabbi Josh Feigelson

Executive Director and CEO, Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Barry Finestone

President and CEO, Jim Joseph Foundation
Mindy Finn

Chief Executive Officer, CitizenData
Ben Ginsberg

Co-Chair, Election Official Legal Defense Network and Distinguished Visiting Fellow, The Hoover Institution
Rabbi Mark Gottlieb

Senior Director, The Tikvah Fund
Hahrie Han

Inaugural Director, SNF Agora Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Andrew Hanauer

President and Chief Executive Officer, One America Movement
Tiffany Harris

Chief Program Officer, Moishe House
Eitan Hersh

Associate Professor of Political Science, Tufts University
Yehuda Kurtzer

President, The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America
Eli Lehrer

President, R Street
Yuval Levin

Director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies, American Enterprise Institute
Steven Levitsky

Professor of Government and Director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University
Megan Lewis

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Voting Rights Lab
Yascha Mounk

Professor of the Practice of International Affairs, Johns Hopkins University
Eboo Patel

Founder and President,
Interfaith America
Rabbi Jonah Pesner

Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Josh Rolnick

Founding Board Member, Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah
Nilmini Rubin

Co-Founder, Fix the System
Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter

University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought, Yeshiva University
Rabbi Rachel Timoner

Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth Elohim
Eric K. Ward

Executive Vice President,
Race Forward
Rabbi Deborah Waxman

President and CEO, Reconstructing Judaism
Rabbi Melissa Weintraub

Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Resetting the Table