BRIEFING ROOM
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PRESSING STATEMENTS
Statement on Bondi Beach Hanukkah Shooting
Hanukkah, a holiday meant to be filled with joy, has become darker after the horrific shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia. Tonight, when we light our Hanukkah menorah, we will do so in remembrance of the shooting victims — our joy tinged with sadness.
We are living a modern-day Hanukkah story in which Jewish haters want to destroy us. But no matter what, they will not succeed. Through the ages, and even in modern times, we have persevered. Over and over again, the spirit of the Jewish people is continually tested, but it has not broken.
Jewish hatred can now be found everywhere, even in countries that are oceans and continents away from our city streets and college campuses. We are not surprised by these horrific attacks. The only surprise is when they will happen. Words matter. When hate is not strongly and firmly denounced, it grows and can eventually manifest in violence.
Anti-Jewish hate has grown louder and more widespread, and we are listening. We hear the threats; we raise the alarm, but it appears that the world is deaf to our pleas and cries to put an end to it.
But we will never be silent. We will not look away. We most certainly will not allow hatred to define this moment or our future. We will mourn and then rise up, rededicating ourselves to the challenge ahead: ending hate wherever and however it occurs.
May the memories of the victims be for a blessing. May we continue to find the strength to persevere and fight evil until we finally live in a world of peace, understanding, and light.
WHAT'S ON OUR MIND
A Year in Review: Candidates, Programs, Meetings on the Hill, and More
December 23, 2025
We began the year in Washington, D.C., attending inaugural celebrations for our JAC-supported candidates and welcoming new Members of Congress as they settled into their offices on Capitol Hill. Among them was Rep. Eugene Vindman (VA), John Mannion (NY), Suhas Subramanyam (VA), and others.
One of the most meaningful moments was attending Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s (MI) swearing-in celebration at the National Spy Museum, a fitting setting for someone who once worked for the CIA. We first met Elissa when she launched her initial House campaign. Watching her grow into a nationally respected leader in Congress and now take her place in the U.S. Senate was a proud milestone for JAC. Over the years, she has been more than a JAC-supported candidate. She has been a loyal friend, standing shoulder to shoulder with us and our issues through every challenge.
This year, we launched our new speaker series, Candidates & Conversations. Our first event focused on finding common ground in a GOP-led Congress. We were joined by IL Reps. Nikki Budzinski and Brad Schneider. As Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, Brad leads a group of House Democrats committed to bipartisan problem-solving and forward-looking policy. Nikki, the Coalition’s Vice Chair of Policy, brings the same pragmatic leadership to the table. Together, they offered a candid and hopeful conversation about governing in divided times.
JAC’s annual Washington, D.C. Policy Conference once again brought members from across the country together for several impactful days of briefings and meetings on the Hill. With the fate of the Gaza hostages still unknown and antisemitism continuing to rise, these urgent issues were central to many of our discussions. Our briefings also featured insights from Dana Stroul, who served in the Middle East policy office of the Secretary of Defense; Steve Dettelbach, former ATF director; and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), who spoke compellingly about the economic consequences of climate change.
During the conference, we presented Sen. Elissa Slotkin (MI) with JAC’s Person of the Year award. We were also treated to a musical night by Reps. Jared Huffman (CA), Tom Suozzi (NY), and Morgan McGarvey (KY). By day, they are legislators; by night, they are musicians with their own House band.
JOIN US APRIL 14-16TH, 2026 for OUR ANNUAL POLICY CONFERENCE. Email for more information.
In the spring, we broke both attendance and fundraising records at JAC’s Power of Women Luncheon, featuring Chelsea Handler. We honored longtime JAC member Jacki Parmacek with the Miriam Award in recognition of her extraordinary service and commitment. The program also included moving video tributes from JAC-supported candidates, including Reps. Wesley Bell (MO) and Ritchie Torres (NY). They both spoke about the important role JAC played in their election and the critical work we do.
SAVE THE DATE for this year’s luncheon on Monday, June 1. This event will raise critical funds to help turn the House and Senate blue.
In October, JAC returned to Capitol Hill for a leadership trip with our Executive Board. Alongside meetings with Members of Congress, we placed special emphasis on staff-level conversations recognizing the critical role staff play in shaping legislative priorities and advancing bills central to JAC’s mission for their bosses.
Once again, Michigan JAC members came together for an energy-packed membership meeting hosted by Roz Blanck, Lisa Lis, and Pam Lippitt. It was a powerful show of community and commitment to JAC’s mission. We were honored to be joined by Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI), a top candidate in one of our House races. Rep. Haley Stevens (MI) sent greetings via Zoom. Haley’s mother joined us in person to accept JAC’s contribution to Haley’s Senate campaign. JAC is proud to endorse Haley Stevens. She has been a steadfast champion of our issues in the House, and we are confident she will bring that same leadership and strength to the Senate.
Help send Haley to the Senate. Donate here.
Combating antisemitism and ending gun violence remain core priorities for JAC. Throughout the year, we hosted a series of expert-led symposia in person and via Zoom featuring Members of Congress and policy leaders. If you are interested in an event in your community, please contact Allison Shaewitz, Director of Outreach and Special Events, at allison@jacpac.org.
JAC’s Junior Board continued to grow in both size and impact. These high school students organized volunteer efforts at food pantries, supported JAC’s major events, and met with candidates to better understand the stakes of the 2026 election.
We were also honored to welcome Reps. Laura Gillen (NY), George Whitesides (CA), Adam Gray (CA), Josh Riley (NY), and Derek Tran (CA) at our Breakfast of Champions. Each won their 2024 race by razor-thin margins. Together, they shared insights into the Democratic message and strategies for expanding our House majority by flipping red seats blue.
As we approach the midterm elections, JAC has been meeting with candidates from across the country who are running in open seats and seeking to turn red seats blue. These candidates reflect JAC’s values and bring a deep commitment to public service. With your support, we are determined to help elect them to Congress.
Once we enter the new year, the midterm elections will be here quickly. The political winds may be at our backs buoyed by recent special election victories and California’s redistricting win. However, nothing is guaranteed and anything can happen. The redistricting battles are far from over, and hard-fought seats remain at risk.
Your support in 2026 will be critical to electing candidates who can reset the agenda and prioritize protecting our values. There is so much at stake. We look forward to partnering with you on JAC’s important mission. Stay involved and informed with JAC. Elections have consequences.
Our new program, DIG (direct impact giving), designed to provide more support for our candidates, will be launched in the coming weeks. Watch for it and jump in.
Thank you for being a part of JAC’s community and for making 2025 so successful. Here is to a very dark blue wave in 2026.
THE JAC EZ READ: OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
-Nelson Mandela