NEW YORK – Following the 2026 midterm elections, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, released the following statement:
“Yesterday, millions of Americans exercised their fundamental right to vote and helped shape our collective future. We congratulate every person who cast a ballot and made their voice heard. Democracy depends on that participation, and on our willingness to protect the rights of others as fiercely as our own.
“We are also grateful to the advocates and volunteers who worked to protect the integrity of our elections and prevent voter intimidation or disenfranchisement and to all the local election workers who are still working tirelessly to count every vote and certify our election results. We are especially proud of the rabbis and cantors who served as poll chaplains, joining a nationwide multifaith effort to provide a peaceful, reassuring presence at polling places and ensure that every eligible voter could exercise their rights without fear. Our multi-racial, interfaith, nonpartisan coalition for free and fair elections showed what is possible when we work together.
“Aspects of this election were distressing for many of our rabbis and cantors and their communities. In the months leading up to the election, we saw from some corners antisemitic rhetoric as well as a dismissal of Jews’ very real fears in a time of rising antisemitic violence. We also saw some bad actors exploit our community’s fears in order to divide Jews from each other and from other communities. At the same time, we saw a frightening normalization of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant language. We will continue to call out antisemitism, anti-Muslim hate, and other bigotries — as well as the exploitation of Jewish fear to dismantle democracy — wherever we see it. We know that Jews are safest when our multi-racial, multifaith democracy is thriving and the rights of everyone are protected.
“As a nonpartisan organization, T’ruah does not endorse candidates or political parties or take positions on election results. Our commitment to human rights, democracy and justice is rooted in Jewish values and remains unchanged regardless of who holds office.
“Elections are an essential part of democracy, but our responsibility does not end when the polls close. We look forward to working with elected officials at every level of government who are committed to protecting human rights and upholding our democratic institutions. Our work continues, as does our responsibility to speak out against injustice and defend the dignity and freedom of all people.”
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About T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights brings the Torah’s ideals of human dignity, equality, and justice to life by empowering our network of over 2,300 rabbis and cantors to be moral voices and to lead Jewish communities in advancing democracy and human rights for all people in the United States, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.