Today, The Exodus Movement, a group run by Red Sea Rising, a 501(c)(4) organization, and started by Elizabeth Pipko, announced the launch of their chapter program and the initial wave of chapters across the country. These chapters, which are located in diverse, strategic locales, will serve as a means for supporters of The Exodus Movement to gather and push a platform of opposition to Leftist anti-Semitism and will enable Jewish Americans to unite in support of issues that reflect their Jewish values.*
“Today I am very excited to announce the launch of The Exodus Movement’s local chapter program,” said Elizabeth Pipko, Founder and President of The Exodus Movement. “The creation of these chapters will allow our organization to expand our footprint to effectively communicate our message and educate Jewish Americans – and all Americans more broadly – about the dangerous creep of anti-Semitism emanating from far-left extremists. While this is only the first wave of chapters, we look forward to expanding our footprint into further regions as time progresses.”
The Exodus Movement aims to teach Jews that Leftism, most notably the Democratic Party, is not a friend to Judaism or to Israel. This sad reality is that, especially in recent years, anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in the party’s national ranks has been tepidly acknowledged at best.
The first wave of chapters of the Exodus Movement will be in the following states: Arizona, California, Florida, Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey (for which I serve as a committee member), New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Teaneck Deputy Mayor Mark Schwartz, a Democrat, stated that he was excited to grow the organization in New Jersey:
“As an American-Jewish elected official in New Jersey, I’ve found that college campuses and local communities are often the front lines of combating anti-Semitism, including for example the appalling BDS movement. Unfortunately, too often our voices in opposition are not adequately heard. Organizations like The Exodus Movement are urgently needed right now in our political discourse to encourage active participation and engagement to confront the very real issues of concern for the Jewish community, such as rising anti-Semitism and security.”
David Ludwig, Maricopa County, Arizona, Exodus Movement Chapter President, stated:
“I’m honored to be working with the Exodus Movement as President of the Maricopa County Chapter here in Arizona. Given the current political climate where supporting Israel and recognizing critical Jewish concerns seems to be taboo among the far-Left, an organization like the Exodus Movement is needed now more than ever. With such a strong, diverse Jewish community in our county and across Arizona, I’m very excited to be involved, helping to highlight the issues that are truly relevant to our people, and encourage broad participation across the spectrum.”
The Exodus Movement has the potential to change the political landscape and national conversation in ways many of us haven’t seen yet, and its message is to remind fellow Jews that they have a home outside the Left.
*Jeremy Frankel serves as a committee member of the Bergen County, New Jersey Exodus Movement chapter.