By Efraim M. for COLlive.com
We are all shocked and appalled at the recent uptick in antisemitic attacks against Jews, and naturally, everyone is wondering what they can do to remedy the situation. Of course, taking steps to defend oneself is the immediate and first course of action on the part of many.
However, we all know that defending its citizens is one of the first and primary tasks that the government is responsible for, both on a federal level as well as a state and local level, and there are steps the government can take to combat this problem.
These include (among other things):
- Investigating and putting pressure on certain communities that preach antisemitic hate in their churches and mosques. Believe it or not, this takes place in New York today and it’s a major driver of the hate-filled culture that their kids and teenagers are exposed to.
- Pressure the district attorney’s office to request of judges that they mete out harsher sentences for these types of crimes.
- Introducing new curricula in the public school system that teaches children about the evils of antisemitism.
- Adopting a moment of silence as per the Rebbe’s instructions.
- Repealing or seriously modifying the terrible “Bail Reform” laws that allow criminals to be immediately released and back on the streets.
- A bigger police presence (not just for a week or two).
- More elected officials speaking out.
Now it is no secret that only a tiny fraction of the Jewish community votes in elections, and all the politicians know that. As such, I would like to explain why every vote from our community makes a massive difference. While every candidate you fill in on your ballot remains confidential and no one will ever know who you selected, the fact that you voted gets recorded once you sign-in prior to being handed a ballot. Consequently, elected officials and politicians know exactly how many people voted in each community, block and even household.
As a recent op-ed on COLlive.com pointed out State Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, both of whom represent Crown Heights but have been practically silent about the attacks against their Jewish constituents. The op-ed writer urged the public to be in touch with the offices of these legislators and demand action.
While I agree that this is a step each of us should be doing, I’d like to point out something else that needs to be considered as to why these politicians are staying silent about our perils.
Politicians respond more to communities with a higher election turnout and less to those with a lower turnout. For instance, if a member of the City Council, State Assembly or State Senate is being asked by a community to work on a certain need that they have or address a problem that they’re facing, the response can very well be determined by the percentage of the community that votes in elections.
So if most people in the community vote, an elected official will feel more pressure to listen to them so as not to lose their support, and if almost no one in the community votes, they are effectively throwing away any political power they would have because politicians will not feel compelled to address their concerns. Until now Crown Heights has sadly belonged to the latter category, and we have unfortunately brought it upon ourselves.
The good news is that it’s in our hands to change it.
As this year is an election year (both on a federal and state level, click here for the dates) it is crucially important that anyone who isn’t registered to vote immediately picks up a registration form at the community council, and of course come election day, everyone goes out and votes. This applies to everyone whether they work, learn in Kolel, or are a student. Employers are legally required to allow all of their employees to vote, even if that means letting them leave work for a bit to do so.
And while I’m sure that for some parents it may be an inconvenience to arrange for a babysitter so that they can head out to the polls, it is an inconvenience very much worth enduring. Just think, the so-called “Bail Reform” could have very well not passed in the first place if Jews from all communities voted in massive numbers resulting in extra representatives who have our interests in mind.
As believing Jews we know that while trust in Hashem comes above all else, He has commanded us to do our hishtadlus (human effort) in ways that accord with the natural order of things in this world and not to rely on miracles if we want something, whether for ourselves or for those around us. While we are blessed to live in a country where everyone has the right and privilege to vote, I would argue that it is also a responsibility, not in the sense that the law forces you to do so, but that one who doesn’t and subsequently complains about something related to the government or politics has only themselves to blame for not doing their part to change it.
Together as a community, we can make a big difference and with Hashem’s help see real change from our elected officials, the repeal of destructive policies that enable anti-Semitic attacks to become so prevalent in our community, and the enactment of new laws that will prevent it in the future. You have the power to radically change the situation in Crown Heights for the better, don’t wait until it is too late, act now, register and vote!
To all the defeatists who say “why should I vote, it doesn’t make a difference”, do us a favor and DON’T comment here. The writer is trying to help the community, so don’t ruin the momentum with your defeatism and excuses for not voting.
Only those that want to help the cause should give their opinions and insight.
By registering and voting on election day.
I vote every election but the fact is that even if we had 100% voter participationwe still would have a big enough bloc to force them to listen to us
All hundreds of thousands of Jews voted all over New York it would be a MASSIVE bloc and it most certainly would force them to listen to us.
It’s just that Jews aren’t using their political power.
It’s very sad.
Why can’t Jews understand that in order for them to have power they have to vote?
Maybe it’s time to bribe people to vote (sadly) but it doesn’t seem that begging people to vote is doing the trick.
If it’s so critical, we got to do everything in our power to assist people in the process.
There should be school busses on Kingston transporting people every half hour on voting Day.
Maybe they receive a voucher of some sort as well.
I honestly never voted because no one made a big deal.
I don’t live in NY now but now that I understand the importance, I would make it my business to do so.
When I was in oholei torah in second grade, year 2001, there was an election. They made a raffle, any parent who voted would receive a ticket for their child to win a bike or a Polaroid camera. I harrassed my parents to vote and I won the bike.
Keeping the community safe should be important enough, we should not need any raffles for serious people to take this seriously.
Being able to walk the streets freely and safely.
Since they represent our community, it does not matter if we voted or not. They represent us regardless. If they cared one iota, they should hold a meeting and make a statement. In this case, silence is not golden. Let them show they care and that we MATTER. By saying nothing, it shows their true sentiments.
The community loves fun events with free food and entertainment. Why not offer incentives.
That’s the biggest incentive there could be to vote.
Being able to walk the streets safely.
If YOU want them to act you must vote. Don’t give excuses for not voting.
Show them that YOU care! If we don’t vote, then it looks like we don’t care.
i am absolutely outraged when this antisemitism is raging our people stay passive after we have already went through so much we must get active and do our duty and vote everyone who is eligible how many have to be still beaten and hurt/
The solution the the rise of anti semetic crime is simple. “every Jew a .22”
If everyone voted, they would make sure no one messed with the Jews.
They should vote too.
The fact is it doesn’t make a difference Its time to open up your eyes & see for yourselves these so called representatives #1 never cared about us several are openly anti Semitic or Jew haters.These representatives fall all over themselves to kiss up to those who break our laws are openly committing crimes The State & the city reps proudly voted for these law changes The federal reps are all Liberals meaning mentally ill a one track mind.Ncfje kissed up to CHuck Schumer a self hating Non practicing Jew who is the leader of the gang trying To oust… Read more »
Occupy — make headlines — stop being nice!
LSD
That’s a much better idea.
It’s possible that a voting bloc will not elect that bloc’s desired candidate. While I agree one should vote – which is the barest minimum action to influence political direction – a more powerful position is to influence whoever is elected. If there are 100,000 people “under” an elected official, perhaps 100 voice their opinion to the elected person. So if you make a determined, repeated and consistent (respectful, cogent, logical) effort to communicate your desires to the official, chances are they will incorporate your position in their thought process. Email. Phone call. Office visit. Speech visit. Depends how important… Read more »
For the sake of our community nobody should be lazy or give excuses.
The problem is that many people just vote for whomever the chjcc says they should
Vote for. And as you can tell, that is a bad idea.
The solution to that problem is that people educate themselves on which politicians they should vote for.
But also, people need to know not to trust the chjcc and to do their own research and educate themselves.
If everyone decides for themselves, then we’re not voting as a bloc. That’s what counts.
They will not want to lose our votes if we’re all voting.
They would not want to lose our votes.
Now that no one votes, elected officials have nothing to be afraid of.
Then they would be able to vote.
Act. Don’t whine.
Only action can help the situation.
The point is to vote, period. Doesnt matter who wins, because the winner –whoever it is– can see how many people voted in each area. Not who they voted for, only IF they voted. If they see the Jews are voting they’ll be interested in listening.
Unity is the answer. Plain and simple
This way we’re unified.
1. First of I think commenting in an open ed. is always better accepted when there is a person’s name attached to it.
2. Which specific politicians should we be calling, without names phone number or/and email addresses this is hardly a call of action.
3. We must find out who are these community centers or churches that are promoting this hate, and expose them to the media.
This is not criticism so much rather feedback, I think a call for action needs the above mentioned suggestions, I wish I had the answers.
https://collive.com/our-legislators-are-mute-about-attacks-they-must-take-action/
Why are people scared to put their name behind what they believe in?
The article is spot on and has lots of credibility even if you don’t know who wrote it.
If what he’s saying is true (which it is), does no name make it any less true??
It is possible some may wish to remain anonymous, or semi-anonymous because of possible economic retaliation from speaking out against an elected official, who may have connections with some Jewish machars in town, who can then use their influence to retaliate economically at one’s workplace. Someone can also be concerned about losing the opportunity for govt funding for a non-profit or a govt job A problem in CH is the lack of economic opportunity and good jobs. While the name is helpful, the ideas are what counts. It’s up to the readers to interpret credibility, which I think this ope-ed… Read more »
Do you agree with the content?
(You should.)
And the message is 100% correct.
If you don’t, you don’t care about your community.
a) Neighborhood Safety Coalitions – CH Jews should push for more cameras and cops, not just more education
https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2019/12/30/new-york-citys-plan-to-address-surge-of-anti-semitic-hate-crimes/
b) Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes
https://criminaljustice.cityofnewyork.us/programs/ophc/
c) Money to fight Anti-Semitism – Billionaire Ron Lauder donates $25 million – http://asaproject.com/
https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Lauders-new-antisemitism-watchdog-group-begins-operations-611483
d) Precinct Meetings: Community Council meetings typically take place on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM at IS Middle School 61. ( Corner of New York Ave & Empire – Address: 400 Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11225)
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/precincts/71st-precinct.page
Expecting anything from those who have only given us reason to expect the opposite is the first mistake.
If CH Jews realize that the respective voting districts are 85% Democrat and mostly African-American, they will realize that their vote makes a difference locally ONLY if they register as Democrats and vote in the less participated Democratic primary or less participated Special Elections (happens rarely) for the more conservative of the two African-American Democratic Candidates. CH Jews who register as democrats for local voting strength can then vote Republican in the General Election for any office, including voting for Trump. There is a significant amount of Jews in the smaller 43rd Assembly District. In the large 20th Senatorial District… Read more »
1000% spot on!
QUALITY information!
THIS should be published as a stand-alone op-ed/article on COLLIVE.
It’s the only thing we can do on a community level.
We don’t want to hear excuses.
The Rent laws passed in June were directly targeted against the “Jewish Landlord”! NYC nor the workers in it gained from the law but they were happy to get the jew. Wake up people. Yes Vote and vote often!!
They would get elected if every Jew voted Republican. They don’t need us, don’t you all get it?? WE need THEM, they know it & that’s why NCFJE, CHJCC etc spend so much time in photo shoots, hosting them at Purim, in the Succah, Chanukah menorah lightings etc. And when push comes to shove, they will not do anything to antagonize their GUARANTEED voters – the Black community.
Even though I believe we should vote, I do understand the reaction of “it don’t make no difference.” Because it really doesn’t.
Don’t bring the defeatist “it won’t make a difference attitude. We’re trying to help the community here.
Democrat primaries are even more important to vote in.
We would have elected officials that aren’t radical. Like Jesse Hamilton who lost because our community didn’t vote for him in the primary.
So we can vote in their primaries, since their candidates are usually the ones that win the general elections.
Can someone start a FACEBOOK GROUP which can lead to a website to inform and register the community to vote.
If the community is going to battle anti-Semitism, they must be “armed” by being registered to vote and be educated on when the battles (elections) will take place.
( I am from outside the CH Community but would participate )
.ומכלל הן אתה שומע לאו
Whoever does not vote does not care.
Whoever does not vote has no right to complain about anything.
To get masses of frum jews to vote they must first register to vote. Why not put tables in all frum communities in the main avenues with volunteers helping every one fill out voter registration forms. This could be done with in Boro park,crown Heights heights, williamsburg,flatbush,sea gate,Queens and upstate. Then we all voted te Republican can and kick out these democrats.
Each Shul can have a voting captain who hands out fliers and info. The key would be voter registration and education with a hint towards registering in the democratic party, since 85% of the local voting area is democratic. Certified election results from the NYC Board of Elections can show how may Republicans (15%) and Democrats (85%) there are in CH. The motivation would be influence towards funding and legislation. A Facebook CH Jewish voting club from the various shuls is recommended. The voting club would not endorse candidates, and would only educate and encourage increased voter registration.
Everyone should get involved.
“You have the power to radically change the situation in Crown Heights for the better, don’t wait until it is too late, act now, register and vote!”
I hope everyone internalizes that message.
דעת המקשר למעשה
A few years ago, my voting place was changed from a public school next to Bais Rivka to a senior Center inside a housing project. I force myself to go there to vote and have been treated ok, but wonder why my block was rerouted.
The voting place in the school on President Street and Brooklyn Avenue was changed to the public school on Empire Blvd. and New York Avenue.
Deterrent is always helpful ….
…If we have politicians that agree with that.
And how do we accomplish that? By voting!