{"id":759,"date":"2020-10-22T11:47:27","date_gmt":"2020-10-22T15:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/?p=759"},"modified":"2020-10-22T11:47:28","modified_gmt":"2020-10-22T15:47:28","slug":"election-reflection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/election-reflection\/","title":{"rendered":"Election Reflection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Election Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Views on Voting, Parties, and Politics By: Penina Nussbaum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2020 general election is expected to be one of the most consequential in the history of the United States. Policy platforms of the two major parties have become more polarized than ever. The presidential and vice presidential candidates elicit strong feelings on both sides of the aisle, with many voters staunchly supportive or vehemently opposed. The integrity of the vote itself is in doubt, with more voters expected to vote than ever, but not in person on Election Day. The media constantly bombards its viewers with revelations or attacks on candidates\u2019 character or business dealings and casts doubt on their physical or mental abilities to serve as the leader of the free world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But much more is on the ballot than only the highest seats in the land. Many state and local offices are also up for election, the results of which will directly impact our daily lives. Amid the confluence of challenges that face our country, how can we best make the decisions about whom to trust to lead us toward a brighter future?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLev melachim v\u2019sarim b\u2019Yad Hashem<\/em>\u2014The hearts of kings and officials are in the Hands of Hashem\u201d We know Who truly holds the power, yet at the same time, we are enjoined to do our hishtadlus<\/em>. We look for insights from respected members of the frum<\/em> community who work diligently among political circles to represent and advocate for our unique needs and values. Their insider experiences can teach us valuable lessons about the power of our votes, the political system, and the interactions between the frum<\/em> community and politicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: All interviewees insisted on neither endorsing nor criticizing any candidate.<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rabbi Abba Cohen <\/strong>is the director of the Washington, DC, branch of Agudath Israel of America. He advocates on behalf of American Jewry on issues of religious liberties, security for Israel, and funding for educational institutions, among other causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having been raised in a home that emphasized both limmud haTorah<\/em> and being osek b\u2019tzorchei tzibbur<\/em>, Rabbi Cohen prepared himself for a life and career that encompass both values. He believes that klal <\/em>work nowadays requires a delicate balance, never allowing Torah values to be misrepresented or diluted, which is the ultimate chillul Hashem<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rabbi Avi Schnall<\/strong> is the director of the New Jersey branch of Agudath Israel of America. He is well known in Lakewood for advocating for and achieving increased funding for security and technology, fighting for religious freedom and accommodations, and communicating with the state government about our community\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a young boy, Rabbi Schnall, together with his grandfather Loychi Glueck, attended the Agudah Conventions, where they sat together for many years with the legendary Rabbi Moshe Sherer, a close friend and confidante of Mr. Glueck. He credits his grandfather and Rabbi Sherer as his inspiration for entering a career of service for the klal<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Ezra Friedlander<\/strong> is CEO of The Friedlander Group, which lobbies and advocates for various causes of concern to the Jewish community. For two decades he has walked the streets and halls of Washington, DC, cultivating relationships, educating, and gaining the trust of members of Congress who then pass legislation that is in our best interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three days before Yom Kippur of 1943, 400 rabbanim<\/em> assembled in Washington, DC, pleading with President Roosevelt to intercede on behalf of their Jewish brethren in Europe. Their efforts were, unfortunately, futile. Nevertheless, Friedlander was inspired by that event to dedicate his life to effective government relations for the sake of Klal Yisrael.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you describe the feeling in DC heading toward the upcoming historic election?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AC:<\/strong> There is a feeling of great uncertainty, perhaps even fear, on both sides of the aisle. There is a sense that the election is up for grabs, that the polls can\u2019t be relied upon, and that significant change might be seen in both the White House and the Capitol. It is the classic \u201cfear of the unknown.\u201d Compounding this feeling is the fact that many things depend on the election and that its outcome will result in dramatic changes. That has raised the stakes and the level of anxiety associated with the election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accusations on both sides that, whatever the outcome, the election will be contested and left up in the air also contribute to the sense that what is seen as the national election \u201ctrauma\u201d will not be resolved, depriving the nation of a sense of future relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every election year is unique. There are exceptions, but election-year politics and lawmaking intersect and create a very complicated picture. Which bills come to the House and Senate floors or are proposed by the White House are usually determined by their \u201celection value.\u201d Major partisan or controversial pieces of legislation are not easy to get through, and no one wants to give a victory to the other side, which may translate into votes. At the same time, no Congress wants to be called a \u201cDo-Nothing Congress.\u201d Each party wants to cater to its base and, at the same time, block the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EF:<\/strong> Every election is historic. This one is definitely very contentious. Everyone is hoping that their candidate will win. Both sides are very passionate about why theirs or the other should or should not win. In lobbying, we advocate for our client; we do not actively promote or disparage any candidate. We try to read what will happen if each party wins so we can prepare accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What benefit is there of frum<\/em> votes for Trump in historically Democratic states such as New York and New Jersey if Biden is likely to win them anyway?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AC:<\/strong> Terms and labels like \u201cDemocrat\u201d and \u201cRepublican\u201d or \u201cliberal\u201d and \u201cconservative\u201d do not neatly fit the Orthodox community, and it is not helpful to look at our political activity within that prism. Our views and interests transcend these lines. We have to vote on the basis of our values and well-being, both in federal and local elections. There is no such thing as a \u201cwasted\u201d vote, even in our Electoral College system. Even if it doesn\u2019t translate into a \u201cwin,\u201d it is very effective in conveying to elected officials what is important to us, our needs, and how we look to them to govern our jurisdictions. This is a critical message and must be conveyed regardless of who wins or whether a vote contributes to a win. Whichever candidate our values and well-being lead us to vote for, one\u2019s vote is a significant contribution, even if the state goes the other way. Not voting because you think your vote doesn\u2019t count is a big mistake. People still care about, and look at, the popular vote, and that makes a difference to elected officials and political parties in consequential ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> There is a benefit to every vote. In every campaign, whether for president, for senator, or for another role, they look at the numbers. Officials make decisions according to their supporters. When they see support from communities, even if they did not win the state but they saw that the community came out in their favor, they feel they can work with them. Even in blue states they look at the communities\u2014such as the Orthodox voters in Florida or California\u2014and they see who stands behind their agenda. It makes a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For either candidate, if no one in a community votes for them, they will know they are not their base. The campaigns have very sophisticated technology to break down the numbers. They do research and pinpoint each township\u2019s demographics. Lakewood has many different districts, and they can see who lives on each block. If, for example, the population has many young children, it will be concerned with childcare and school funding. They know who is voting and why they\u2019re voting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practically, all politics are local. The average Lakewooder is more affected by township committees and assemblymen\/women than the president. Local votes may be even more important than presidential; they have a big impact on our streetlights, our property taxes, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voters need to look at the whole slate on the ballot, not just one person on it. We need to look at each candidate and not just the letter after their name. Neglecting to do so can be a blemish on our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Jeff Van Drew switched parties it was concerning, and reinforced why one should vote for the person and not the party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EF:<\/strong> We need to vote strategically. Every election has different circumstances that impact to whom we\u2019ll give our vote. New Jersey is a blue state, but every vote is still important for congressional and local elections. Politically, nothing is more important for a community than to be represented at the polling booth. Collective votes count. They send a strong message that the community is active and organized. The way the community votes has implications. The parties notice who votes and how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is anger at the system; people think, \u201cMy vote doesn\u2019t count, it won\u2019t change anything.\u201d But it\u2019s like plumbing\u2014no one wants to talk about it, but no one wants the problems. We all need it to work in our favor. Elected officials will only respect and take you seriously if you vote. It\u2019s doing yourself <\/em>a favor. For those who don\u2019t vote, it\u2019s as if they don\u2019t see you, you don\u2019t count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if it is difficult to choose a candidate?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EF:<\/strong> Again, like with plumbing, sometimes you have to hold your nose. Don\u2019t tell me you don\u2019t have time to vote and why it won\u2019t help anyway. Even if you have to hold your nose, just do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone needs to do less talking and be more proactive. Go to shul to daven<\/em>, not talk politics. Rav Moshe Feinstein said that voting is incumbent upon everyone in America out of hakaras hatov<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think strategically. Long-term, how will my community benefit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our values do not align with either party. Our values come from the Torah. Both parties are amenable to them in different ways. I work closely with both parties in bipartisan lobbying. Our community needs both parties, and needs to maintain working relationships with people in both parties. Each issue is case-by-case. Politics is complicated, not black and white. The question is how to achieve one\u2019s objective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We thrive when we have interactions with both parties. We have to maintain bridges; we have no choice. The frum<\/em> community is not large enough to determine a national or even state election; maybe it can impact a township level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baruch Hashem<\/em>, our communities are thriving, so it\u2019s easy to forget that we\u2019re in galus<\/em>. We lost the mindset of how we should conduct ourselves, especially with external relations. A galus Yid<\/em> conducts himself differently; a non-Jew is not in galus<\/em>. We must express ourselves politely, not denigrate others. People will judge other Jews by what we do or say. We cannot say certain things even if they are true. It\u2019s not easy. I live in Boro Park and it seems like the whole world is Jewish. It can be intimidating when I am the only identifiably frum <\/em>Yid at a meeting. I am careful about maintaining relationships, and I get criticized for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How concerned are you about mail-in ballots and the potential for a contested election?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> There is always a risk, always room for error. People need to have faith in the government or nothing will ever get done. We use the mail system for lots of vital information; we can\u2019t suddenly blast the whole system as unreliable, or we\u2019ll always doubt and make conspiracy theories. There are concerns because the ballots are so visible. What we can do is vote; the worst thing is not to vote, because then you are guaranteed that your vote is not counted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EF:<\/strong> I don\u2019t believe it will be close, and I am not concerned that it will be contested. There will always be people who try to take advantage of an election. In states where it will be very close, both sides will carefully scrutinize the polls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How important is it for the frum<\/em> community that the Supreme Court vacancy be filled by a conservative?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AC:<\/strong> I reiterate that Orthodox interests and values overlap labels and terms. On some matters we are conservative, and on some, liberal, so whichever way the justice is, we will likely \u201cwin\u201d on some issues and \u201close\u201d on others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once on the court, justices may defy labels. In recent years especially, justices have not necessarily or consistently adhered to their assumed judicial philosophy. This should really come as no surprise. Supreme Court nominees and justices must interpret the law as written, without preconception or political agendas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is very important that there be no \u201creligious test\u201d regarding nominees to the Supreme Court. The American judiciary is based on the principle that we not look at race, gender, religion, etc. in selecting our judges and that they are fully capable of hearing and ruling on a case objectively and without bias. Unfortunately, of late, there have been undercurrents of sentiment that persons of a particular religion or religious viewpoint should be disqualified from judicial or public office because of their religious beliefs. As Jews and as Americans, we cannot abide this offensive and destructive attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I say all this without belittling one bit the importance of the Supreme Court and its rulings to our nation and to our community. For many, the key factor in the 2016 election was the future composition of the Supreme Court and the effect that filling vacancies would have on the legal landscape for generations to come<\/em>. It has clearly become an essential component in this year\u2019s election, as well. The world in which our children and grandchildren will live will be greatly shaped by the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many frum<\/em> Jews rely on Democrat-supported social welfare benefits. Should they continue voting Democrat for their personal well-being, or vote Republican to help elect those with conservative values?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AC:<\/strong> This question clearly demonstrates that our community\u2019s interests cannot be pigeonholed into one party or political philosophy. How to weigh those values and benefits individually and against each other is a matter of personal choice, which hopefully will be informed by guidance from rabbinic or community leadership. Each person, family, and community must make this assessment for itself. That balance might change over time as issues wax and wane. Weighing societal issues against those such as the financial challenges facing our yeshivos<\/em>, tzedakah <\/em>organizations, and families or the security of our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael are the decisions that each of us and our communities need to grapple with before every election. There is no quick and easy answer to that question. It is everyone\u2019s responsibility to do the homework and become informed about the candidates and the issues, how they affect one\u2019s life, and how to evaluate their importance in making electoral decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> We are not a party community. We have people on both sides who are very good for us, and people on both sides who are very not <\/em>good for us. For example, Governor Murphy (who is a Democrat) is doing a great job for us in general and has been extremely helpful in combating anti-Semitism, protecting our health, and securing record-high funding for our schools. Mayor Ray Coles is a Democrat, and you can\u2019t get a better mayor than him. Toms River has many Democrats who are terrific people. In contrast, the whole township council of Jackson is Republican, and they have been opposing building yeshivos<\/em>, shuls, and eruvin<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senator Bob Menendez (a Democrat) has been a friend of our community forever. When he was the mayor of Union City, he was supportive and helpful to Chassidim who wanted to build an eruv<\/em>. He was the first Democratic senator to oppose Obama and the Iran Deal. He was subsequently under investigation for years because he challenged Obama, yet he never relented on his decisions. Still, less than half of Lakewood voted for his reelection; more than half voted for his opponent who had no prior experience and no track record. At Menendez\u2019s victory party, he approached me and said, \u201cRabbi, we have to educate people on what\u2019s important.\u201d I was embarrassed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senator Cory Booker (a Democrat) has been very helpful in a pidyon shevuyim<\/em> case. He dedicated a staffer who helped 300 Lakewood people get passports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is normal in politics for elected officials to do favors for their base. They must make reasonable decisions about whom to help and how. They ask themselves, \u201cWhy should I help them again?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Republican running for governor in New Jersey has a very slim chance. We need to look at the issues, at the bigger picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EF:<\/strong> Most frum <\/em>Jews live in overwhelmingly blue states and districts. The reality of our social structure now is that many rely on Democrat-supported programs. If you want to vote Republican, you need to understand that more funding will go to other things such as the military, etc. You can\u2019t have your cake and eat it too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Biden wins, how concerned should we be about Kamala Harris or other leading Democrats calling the shots?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> We should be concerned, even without Harris. The radical left is a rising movement. We should not be so worried about incumbents, but rather about newcomers. New Jersey is a moderate Democrat state. Menendez is not progressive. Booker always was, but we didn\u2019t pay attention because he speaks a good Yiddish and knows a lot of Torah\u2026 Now he is friendly toward others, which is perhaps a political move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Politicians make decisions based on the majority. They will do what most people want. Here in Lakewood, we live in a bubble, even with a Democratic mayor and governor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EF:<\/strong> The campaigns and governing are two distinct entities. If Biden will be president, I assume he will be the one calling the shots. I take it all with a grain of salt because it is absolutely beyond my control. I don\u2019t follow the campaign so closely. Now, it\u2019s all speculation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can we in New Jersey learn from the government interaction with the frum<\/em> community in New York?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> New York should be learning from New Jersey. Cuomo should learn from Murphy. They have two different styles and approaches. Murphy believes in working together. He knows there are unique circumstances in each town with different populations and dynamics. For example, our town has lots of children, we are very religious, and we are family oriented. He set realistic expectations and asked, \u201cHow can we deal with this?\u201d We worked together with the reality to get and keep the schools open. He is not just sitting in his office and reading the textbook of what one \u201cmust do\u201d during a pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In New York, there was very little outreach and communication. Did Cuomo ever go to Brooklyn? Murphy came down here, spoke directly with our leaders, and continues the dialogue in an incredible way. We had the incredibly challenging circumstances of the Yamim Tovim; we did things never done before, and it worked out beautifully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EF:<\/strong> [Regarding the protests in Boro Park, we] did not put our best face forward. People like to pontificate. But we need to build bridges, make friends. We think we have a lot of power, but we don\u2019t. We need to know the road map of how to get things done. We need to be less ideological and more practical.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Election Reflection Views on Voting, Parties, and Politics By: Penina Nussbaum The 2020 general election is expected to be one of the most consequential in the history of the United States. Policy platforms of the two major parties have become more polarized than ever. The presidential and vice presidential candidates elicit strong feelings on both […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":760,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[19],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/759"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=759"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/759\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=759"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=759"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=759"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}