Our 2026 Statewide Agenda

Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) believes in building a region where everyone will have what they need to live full lives with dignity and respect, and a real voice in democracy, no matter the color of their skin, where they are from, or how much money they have. We work so that our Jewish community is a proud valued partner in bringing about that day through multiracial, multifaith, cross-class movements working for social, racial, and economic justice. We support an agenda that is pro-immigrant justice, pro-worker justice, pro-housing – in other words, an agenda that supports and affirms the humanity of every Virginian. 

As the Trump administration continues to wreak havoc in our region and prioritize profits over people, it is essential that our elected representatives in Virginia pass legislation that our communities need to live and thrive. 

Protect Immigrant Communities 

The insistence that we behave with Ahavat HaGer (care, equity, and love toward the stranger) appears 36 times in Torah; it is the most-repeated command in the entire Torah. Our sacred texts insist that we turn our own historical experiences of being outsiders in many foreign lands into compassion for those experiencing the same today. As Jews and as human beings, we are obligated to make sure that those of us who were not born in our community are as safe as those of us who were. 

Pass Comprehensive Legislation to Protect Immigrants  

In light of the anti-immigrant rhetoric and action by federal law enforcement, many Virginian immigrants find it impossible to trust the government, the legal system, and publicly funded social services.

We supported legislation that would: 

• End harassment of our migrant neighbors by limiting federal overreach 
• Keep ICE out of sensitive locations, such as schools, hospitals, churches, and foodbanks 
• End cooperation with ICE through 287g programs and more 
• Prohibit law enforcement agents from obstructing their identities by wearing masks 

Enshrine Basic Human Rights into Virginia’s State Constitution

Tzelem Elohim (We Are Created in the Divine Image). All people are created in the  divine image, with inherent and equal dignity and value. This teaching advises us to take concrete action to end racism and other forms of oppression. We must strive to make sure all people are treated with dignity and respect in the eyes of the law and the actions of society.

The Virginia legislature has moved all three constitutional amendments forward, and they will be on voters’ ballots. 

Enshrine the Rights of All Virginians to Vote: Our democracy is strongest when everyone’s voices are heard. As of now, however,  thousands of Virginians are denied their right to vote. In 1902, a provision was added to the Virginia State Constitution banning anyone convicted of a felony from voting for the rest of their lives unless the governor individually decides to reenfranchise them. It was added to the constitution explicitly to prevent Black Virginians from voting.It is time for this relic of the Jim Crow era to be overturned. All Virginians should have the right to vote. 

Enshrine the Right to Reproductive Freedom: Everyone should be able to access the health care they need, including reproductive care. The Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment would establish the right for all Virginians to make decisions about their own reproductive health care without interference from the government. Access to reproductive justice is deeply rooted in our Jewish tradition which affirms that abortion is not only permitted, but required should the pregnancy endanger the health of the pregnant person. 

Enshrine the Rights of All Virginians to Marry: All Virginians should be free to marry the person they love but currently, the Virginia State Constitution bans same-sex marriages. The federal government has signaled a willingness to restrict the federal right to marry, which means that it’s more urgent than ever to repeal Virginia’s marriage ban.  

Build an Economy that Works for All of Us

Jewish tradition teaches that all people have inherent dignity and equal value, and that in a just world all people would have what the Torah calls dei machsoro – resources sufficient for their needs. We are called to be partners in the creation of that world, to build a better future than we inherited — and in this time, that call is louder than ever.

Protect and Expand the Rights of Workers 

Jews United for Justice supported legislation that protects and expands the rights of working Virginians and their families, including legislation that: 

• Raises the minimum wage and ends the farm worker minimum wage exemption
• Ensures that all hard-working Virginians – including state and local employees, educators, and home care workers – have the freedom to join their union and collectively bargain 
• Ensures that workers have the time they need to care for themselves and their loved ones with a strong Paid Family and Medical Leave program
• Ends wage theft and worker misclassification 
• Repeals the so-called right to work law