As New Jersey and the nation prepare for the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, the stakes feel high. Our democracy is being tested. Antisemitism is surging. Criticism and condemnation of Israel are being expressed with increasing intensity across the political spectrum. And for many Jewish Americans, the political landscape can feel increasingly difficult to navigate.
It is understandable to look at the choices before us and think: Maybe I should just stay home.
Let me state this clearly: Whatever our frustrations with the state of politics in our country, staying home should not be our response. Make a plan to vote.
As Jewish Americans, we have a voice—and a strong one. New Jersey is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the country, and nearly 20 percent of the state’s Jewish voters live in Essex, Morris, and Union counties. Historically, Jewish Americans have been informed, engaged, and organized voters, with voter participation that has often exceeded national averages.
That civic engagement gives us influence. If we absent ourselves from the political process, we surrender that influence—and we cannot reasonably expect elected officials to understand or respond to the concerns and priorities of the Jewish community.
Put simply: This is not the time to check out. It is the time to lean in.
Over the coming weeks, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) will work to ensure that our community has the information it needs to participate fully in the election—and, first and foremost, to make sure eligible citizens are registered and prepared to vote.
We will interview candidates running for the U.S. Senate and Congress and ask direct questions about the issues that matter deeply to our community: the safety and security of American Jews; Israel’s security and defensive needs; the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship; essential human services and programs that support our most vulnerable neighbors; and the unacceptable rise of antisemitism and hate in our schools, college classrooms and public spaces.
We will also ask difficult questions about the growing hostility toward Israel expressed on the extreme flanks of both political parties, and about the responsibility of political leaders to confront antisemitism and demonization wherever they occur.
Sunday, October 11, we will co-host an online forum with the Jewish Federation of West-Central Jersey featuring the candidates for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R) and Rebecca Bennett (D).
Thursday, October 29, we will host a statewide forum with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D) and his Republican challenger, Justin Murphy.
As of this writing, we are still awaiting a date from Rep. Analilia Mejia in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, who is running against Republican challenger Joe Hathaway.
Our Jewish tradition has much to teach us about the importance of participating in communal life. Our teachings reflect a longstanding Jewish ethic: We have a responsibility not simply to observe the society around us, but to participate in shaping it.
Today, given the challenges facing our community—and particularly concerns about the safety and security of American Jews, the place of Israel in American public life, and our future as a vibrant part of American society—it is more important than ever to make our voices heard.
Whether you vote by mail, during early voting (which starts October 24 and runs through November 1) or at the polls on November 3, start planning now. Learn where the candidates stand. Read their platforms. Attend their events. Ask questions. Listen carefully to their answers.
Most importantly, let them see a Jewish community that is informed, engaged and committed to the American civic process.
Our voice matters. Our participation matters. Make a plan to vote.