About JDL

The Jewish Defense League is the most controversial, yet the most effective, of all Jewish organizations. Founded in 1968 by Rabbi Meir Kahane, of blessed memory, the activist group has been responsible for bringing such issues as, but certainly not limited to, Soviet Jewry, Nazi war criminals, black and white racial supremacy, missionaries, discrimination, all forms of Jew-hatred, and the urgent need for Jewish self-preservation to the front page of every major newspaper, to broadcast air waves and to online news services across the United States and around the world.

Never Again, the JDL motto, opposes the mainstream opinion that Jews shouldn't make waves or fight back when they are under attack. Such an attitude was sold to the Jews of Europe nearly 70 years ago and the result was the murder of the Six Million. Unfortunately, the very same attitude continues to be sold by the world's mainstream Jewish establishment, even now - forty years since the establishment of the Jewish Defense League. Changing dominant, millennial-old, Galut-induced Jewish thought patterns is not easy, but JDL has always been the most potent and consistent force opposing those twisted views.

With the fantastic new jdl.org version 4, a host of new organizational initiatives, and the often tireless work of its dedicated leaders, members and supporters, JDL looks forward to confronting the challenges of the next 40 years with renewed vigor, strength and optimism. When Jew-hatred rears its ugly head, JDL will be there to take it on because it must be there - the need for JDL has perhaps never been felt more acutely. Jews across the United States and around the world are becoming increasingly aware of the urgent need to organize for the purpose of collective self-defense, and as a result JDL has experienced considerable growth in membership base as well as new chapters over the last year.

However, JDL isn't just about Jew-hatred and the external threats to Jewish preservation. With the recognition that the Chosen Nation has considerable room to improve, JDL has always sought to cause positive change in the lives of Jews. The appalling truth is that the majority of Jews, who so often concern themselves with curing the ills of the rest of the world, too often so tragically ignore the terrible threats found lurking in their homes - namely pervasive secularism. The lifestyle of the secular, apathetic, nominally Jewish Jew seldom leads to the strengthening and preservation of the Jewish people into the future.

As an antidote JDL ideology and activities encourage a spirit of Teshuva - return - to G-d and to authentic Torah-based Judaism for those who don't practice it - the Judaism that was historically the norm for Jewry. Importantly, JDL philosophy teaches that even many religious Jews fall short of their obligations if they isolate themselves from Am Yisrael and practice a mechanical, lifeless version of Judaism by rote. Jews should never lose sight of the fact that true Torah observance goes beyond ritualism, even though rituals are the foundation of Avodah (service) to G-d. Along with its push toward increasing the commitment of more Jews toward authentic Judaism, JDL strongly advocates Aliyah - ascent to live in the Land of Israel - given the recogntion that life in exile may at times be comfortable but should not be the permanent aspiration of spiritually healthy Jews. At the same time, JDL realizes that the transition to authentic Judaism can be a prolonged process for many; as such, JDL fully accepts Jews from all walks of life (along with non-Jews) as long as they accept JDL ideology.

In addition to all of that, JDL provides a wide range of programs - counter-missionary, reserach and intelligence, educational services, aid to economically vulnerable Jews, and much more. JDL takes on the adversaries of Jews and Judaism on every front, and we count on the support of decent people to sustain and strengthen our efforts. When JDL says "Never Again!" it means exactly that. Help us fight for you.