Participants at the “We Stand Together” rally for Jewish unity and Israel at the Nationals Park baseball stadium in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 10, 2024. Photo by Ralph Alswang.
Where are All the Jews Out There, Anyway?” – Tiffany Haddish to DC Rally Organizers
In a time when Israel faces heightened adversity and increased global scrutiny, it’s crucial for Jewish communities worldwide to unite and demonstrate support. Sunday’s event, “Stand Together: An Event of Unity, Strength and Resilience,” held at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., was intended to bring the Jewish community together in solidarity. Organized by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the gathering aimed to reflect unity in the face of recent turmoil. However, the turnout and the lack of significant outreach by the event’s organizers reveal a stark and disappointing disconnect.<
“We don’t just live and let live – we live to help others thrive.”
At yesterday’s Stand Together rally in Washington, DC, our EVP Rabbi Moshe Hauer took the stage to remind us of the importance of upholding our mission as Jews – to help others thrive and to be a blessing to… pic.twitter.com/ft387dOhJh
At this critical juncture, the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents bear the responsibility of rallying widespread support, yet they appear to have missed the mark in making this event accessible and visible. According to JNS.org, the event, a precursor to the JFNA’s annual General Assembly, saw way less that 1,500 attendees—a number that pales compared to the nearly 350,000 people who gathered on the National Mall for a similar cause just a year ago. This shortfall raises serious questions about the planning and outreach strategy.
The choice to keep the event insular, inviting 220 partner organizations (who only have their endorsement but not their members) limited its potential impact. With Israel in need of international support, this event could have—and arguably should have—been a public rallying cry, drawing in allies and advocates from beyond the immediate Jewish community. Instead, the organizers prioritized a narrow audience, leaving countless supporters uninformed and absent. This lack of inclusion is not just disappointing; it’s a missed opportunity that weakens the intended message of unity and strength.
With Israel reeling from the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, now is the time for the global Jewish community and its allies to show up in significant numbers. Yet, the Nationals Park event, rather than being an empowering display of solidarity, seemed muted in comparison to previous gatherings. Tiffany Haddish, who emceed the event, pointedly remarked, “Where are all the Jews out there, anyway?” Her comment underscores a palpable disconnect between the event organizers’ aspirations and the actual support drawn to the event. Haddish’s bewilderment reflects what many of Israel’s supporters must feel—that the lackluster attendance stands in sharp contrast to the urgency of the current moment.
Speaking at the “Stand Together” rally in Washington, DC — the message is one of determination and resilience, being a proud bold, informed, strong, prepared, empowered, and fabulous Jew.
While the organizers insist the event served a different purpose than previous rallies, their justification falls flat. Julie Platt, JFNA chair of the board of trustees, explained to JNS.org that the aim was not to recreate the same event from last year but rather to foster a sense of calm and unity. Yet, one must question whether calm is the appropriate tone when Israel’s security and international standing are under threat. William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents, spoke of moving past divisions and standing together after a divisive presidential election. However, the focus should have been on rallying all pro-Israel voices, including those beyond the Jewish community, as a powerful front against mounting hostility toward Israel on the world stage.
At this point, Jewish leaders must recognize that minimizing the scale of such events sends the wrong message to both supporters and detractors. The limited turnout suggests complacency and division, which only emboldens those who seek to undermine Israel’s security and legitimacy.
To regain credibility and truly support Israel in its time of need, the JFNA and the Conference of Presidents must broaden their scope and prioritize inclusivity. The approach to this gathering, prioritizing exclusivity over wide-reaching solidarity, appears to have failed to attract the numbers and enthusiasm necessary to make an impact.
STAND TOGETHER rally.
Unity, Strength, and Resilience
Together We Will:
Stand with Israel, for the hostages, and against antisemitism
Thank America, the US Military, and our civic partners, allies, and Honor heroes. #AmYisraelChai 🇮🇱💙 @jfederationspic.twitter.com/O3CqIgrbH8
It is essential that the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents reflect on this event as a case study in missed potential. In the future, they must amplify their efforts to mobilize not only the Jewish community but also all pro-Israel supporters. When future challenges arise, as they inevitably will, the Jewish community and its leaders need to be ready—not just with words, but with actions that draw significant, visible support from the broader public.
The Nationals Park event should serve as a wake-up call for the JFNA and the Conference of Presidents. Their responsibility extends beyond maintaining the status quo. They must proactively foster unity and strength in ways that truly resonate and attract support. The time for half-measures has passed; at a moment when Israel requires a united front, these organizations need to lead by example, demonstrating that they can bring together a powerful, visible show of solidarity for Israel. If they are incapable of doing so, they should immediately resign and disband their “paper tiger” organizations. Private Jewish funding could be better spent on those organizations that possess the drive and requisite motivation to actually get something done of profound significance.
This shows mainly that the Federations are not the leaders of the Jewish people. And why should they be? They are overwhelmingly secular and liberal.