On July 18, the Minnesota DFL State Central Committee voted to grant the Jewish Community Outreach Organization (JCOO) full caucus status, giving Jewish Democrats representation within the party. The elevation comes 11 days after the DFL’s Party Affairs Committee determined that JCOO had fulfilled all the party’s requirements to move it from an outreach organization to a community caucus.
Supporters of the proposal argued that the change would ensure Jewish Minnesotans have a voice and place within the DFL.
Minnesota DFL Chair Richard Carlbom shared that antisemitism is a pressing issue, while urging the party to support communities facing discrimination.
“I think at this point in our party, we need to stand up as Democrats and say that Jewish Minnesotans and Somali Minnesotans have a place in the DFL party,” said Carlbom.
A delegate who opposed the proposal stated, “Based on JCOO’s repeated statements and all the articles I’ve seen in support for Israel, I’m going to say the JCOO mission is exclusive, does not align with the principles or governing rules of the DFL regarding diversity and inclusion.”
JCOO member Gayle Kaplan responded directly to that criticism.
“The JCOO charter, contrary to what the previous speaker just said, deals only with anti-Jewish, antisemitic behavior here in Minnesota,” said Kaplan.
JCOO Chair Benjamin Weisbuch echoed this sentiment in an interview.
“[JCOO] hasn’t taken a position on Israel,” said Weisbuch. “We’ve strategically set Israel aside because we recognize it’s controversial.”
While JCOO has an Israel committee, it was originally established as a means of members educating themselves on the antisemitic resolutions proposed by the DFL convention.
Weisbuch continued by saying, “We have a wide degree of membership and viewpoints, and all are welcome in the Jewish Caucus.”
Delegates voted on JCOO’s caucus status electronically; it passed by a vote of 245 to 84, with 74.47% in favor and 25.53% against. The electronic vote was called for despite one attendee saying on social media that the vote was “clearly in favor” of the elevation to caucus. The Somali-American Caucus was approved unanimously by a voice vote.
“A win is a win, and we became a caucus, which is good for the Jewish community and good for our members,” said Weisbuch. “However, almost 30% of the room opposed Jewish people from organizing in the DFL, which is a concern.”
Ultimately, the Jewish Caucus is one of the Minnesota DFL’s recognized community caucuses, giving the group a formal voice within the party. Weisbuch said the work is not done; they hope to continue to educate DFL members about Jewish perspectives.
“Jewish values inherently are Democratic values,” said Weisbuch. “The emphasis on educating our children, the emphasis on healthcare, the emphasis on nonviolence, the emphasis on repairing the world. These are Jewish values.”
So, who are they?