Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus

09/01/2026

THE SHARING OF DANA NESSEL’S REMARKS AT OUR SUMMER SIMCHA
August 31, 2026

One of the highlights of the many highlights of this year’s record breaking, standing-room only Summer Simcha (our annual fund and friendraiser for the Caucus) was our honoree AG Dana Nessel’s closing event remarks.

The remarks, available here, give us a brief history lesson of how Jews arrived in the Democratic party and why the majority of us still find it our political home, despite the very real anti-semitism swimming through some aspects of the party and its people.

But really the remarks are an elegy for this time. As Jews and Americans, the caucus has heard from hundreds if not thousands of people who are uncertain what to do, how to vote, what to believe, what to prioritize and how to feel. Jewish Americans are standing at a precipice.

For many, the dilemma is stark: Do we support candidates whose public statements and prospective policies regarding the state of Israel challenge its very existence and security, or do we look elsewhere toward platforms and values that are fundamentally antithetical to our core way of being and our vision for a pluralistic society?
And, Dana, in all her wisdom, strength and resolve took this moment in the tradition of our ancestors, to pose that very question –
“Do we vote for an individual who believes in a Jewish state? Or do we vote for someone whose policies and platforms (e.g. AI, climate change, another global pandemic) are a threat to all of humanity?”

The essence of her remarks, for those who choose to listen, is that she gives us a question for us to: examine, unpack and incubate.
What more can we ask of a leader, and of this time.
So, examine, unpack, incubate and listen.

-Jessica 'Decky' Alexander, Chair

https://youtu.be/RZPzlJqaVck

09/01/2026

Opening Simcha Comments from the chair:
We/I are thrilled you are all here today. We don’t take it for granted that this space, our place, party, this simcha is never certain. We know that for some of you coming to this cocktail of Michigan, Democrats and Jews is like breathing and for others it’s requiring some deep breaths and for some it requires a force field of sorts.

It is always much more difficult to enter, anything really — than it is to leave.
There has been a lot of banter, shrying, k’vetching in the clouds that this Democratic party, as imperfect as it, has abandoned some of us, Jews, it's not the same, people feel politically homeless, unsure…

Political Parties are like neighborhoods, like cities, like universities –their constant is change. And, yes It is much more difficult to stay in places of change and discomfort than it is to exit. To Leave. Stage left or right ..or center, but that my Michigan democratic Jews is where we grow.

When we are uncomfortable we are at our most present, and have the most ability to see the world as it is and not as it should be. We are a people who have lived millenias, I would argue not because we are focused on what was, but what is.
This is our time. Actually, it’s always our time. Thank you for entering. Thank you for staying.

-Jessica 'Decky' Alexander, Chair

Simcha 2026 by the numbers:

300 plus attendees
100 chairs
4 check-in stations
8 Candidates who spoke
8 Board members who introduced candidates
1 Youth Speaker named Ari
1 Candidate for Governor who will ensure our safety as Jews
1 Candidate for SOS who stands tall
1 Jewish AG Candidate who, also stands tall, but not as tall
1 Candidate for Congress who spoke of our resolve as a people
1 Candidate for Senate who apologized for words that harmed
1 Jewish AG who has been a light amid darkness
Numerous other current elected officials and candidates for local offices
Not enough water or lemonade
50 shrimp devoured in 5 minutes
Infinite number of possibilities

To listen to the Simcha speeches, check our out YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/

To get learn more and/or get involved in the Caucus go here: https://forms.gle/MwW32hdftSkKPZXw9
Or email us at: [email protected]

08/30/2026

We look forward to seeing many of you at the Summer Simcha today. If you have not received your confirmation detail, please email us at [email protected] this morning. Thank you.

08/28/2026

The Caucus has a packed weekend with the MDP Nominating Convention on 8/29 and the The 2026 Summer Simcha on 8/30.

For the Convention, our caucus will be meeting at 10:45 a.m. in the Governor's Room. We would love to know if you are planning on stopping by. If, so please consider RSVP'ing here:

The Nominating Convention is 8/29 in Lansing -details available here: https://michigandems.com/convention/

08/26/2026

ADL Michigan’s statement condemning Hasan Piker’s recent remarks suggesting American Jews who support Israel are inviting violence against themselves.

08/21/2026

Please consider reading our latest Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/819c2e1ad2f8/join-us-for-the-6th-annual-summer-simcha-6436445
and attending/RSVP'ing to our The 2026 Summer Simcha on August 30th!

Our simcha is intended to be joyous, even in complicated times. What is the Simcha?! We ask all state-wide candidates to attend so our diverse and divergent Jewish community can connect, engage and ask questions.

For this one -- candidates are asked how they may see their role as cementing Jewish perspectives and ideas and people in the Democratic party when so many people feel homeless or uncertain of their place.

Dialogue helps to foster safety. So come

Mix and mingle with Jewish elected officials and state-wide candidates for Governor, Secretary of State, Congress, Attorney General, and Senate.

08/20/2026

Come join us Summer Simcha 2026!

RSVP here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/summersimcha2026?fbclid=IwdGRjcATx0-BjbGNrBPHT23Bkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeNw38cqRaBPAGAeG0zbMGRBP0-lQXKYWRibm84xOWEIAhqSZt_FhQx8-xtSA_aem_bQlp1RzoJ4D9vOXYiRG9aw