Collage photo of Reps. Brad Schneider and Jerry Nadler. Photo by Graeme Sloan and Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
By Jacob Kornbluh
February 6, 2025
A group of 21 Jewish House Democrats launched a Jewish caucus on Thursday, with Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York and Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois as co-chairs. The move formalizes a group that has been getting together for decades and hopes to amp up its profile in response to the rising antisemitism and other repercussions of the Israel-Hamas war.
The new caucus will “gather to share experiences, exchange ideas and advocate for the issues important to the American Jewish community,” the group’s mission statement declares. It also promises to provide “a bridge to the other members and organizations within the House.”
The House has 24 Jewish members, including three Republicans, who are not part of the new caucus. There are also 10 Jewish Senators, all Democrats. A Democratic staffer, who requested anonymity to discuss internal discussions, said Republicans were consulted but are not expected to join.
Representatives for the GOP members — David Kustoff of Tennessee, Max Miller of Ohio and Craig Goldman of Texas – didn’t immediately respond for comment.
The Congressional Jewish Caucus joins similar groups for Black, Hispanic, Women and Asian members, as well as caucuses that are not connected to identity, such as the Progressive Caucus or the Abraham Accords Caucus and Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations. A caucus is formally recognized as a group by the House and would provide a space for Jewish members to discuss and advocate for issues important to Jews.
Similar Jewish caucuses already exist in several state legislatures, including those with the largest number of Jewish lawmakers, California and New York.
Nadler, 77, has served as dean of the informal group of Jewish Democrats since the 2020 retirement of Rep. Nita Lowey and defeat of Rep. Eliot Engel, both of whom are from New York. Former Reps. Sander Levin of Michigan and Henry Waxman of California previously led the group.
In 2022, during a bitter primary battle, Nadler touted his status as the “most senior” Jewish House member, saying he put “a lot of effort” into strengthening support for Israel among his colleagues. “I would certainly never say that a non-Jew cannot represent Jewish interests,” he told me at the time. “But some people think it’s important.”
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Florida Democrat who joined Nadler in pushing to formalize the caucus, said in a statement that she has “long believed” such a move would “enhance our ability to advocate for the Jewish American community.” Some Jewish lawmakers were concerned that establishing the caucus could be perceived as a religious group, setting a precedent on separation of church and state. The Jewish members also disagree on some key issues, including Israel policy.
Nadler, initially skeptical of the cause, said given the circumstances “the need for this caucus is understandable.” He said members would seek “unity, not unanimity” on issues, noting that “as the old adage goes: two Jews, three opinions.”
Schneider, who is 63, in his fifth term and a member of the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus, said the Jewish caucus “isn’t just overdue—it’s essential.”
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