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Tuesday, 25 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 5, 2024

They Are Mute Because of Our Voting Record

Response op-ed: Contacting our elected officials to speak out and do something about the anti-Semitic attacks in Crown Heights is only step one. If it's not matched with the second step, we shouldn't expect them to intercede on our behalf. Full Story

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Right on!
January 8, 2020 4:12 pm

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
Reply to  Right on!
January 12, 2020 1:33 pm

Only those that want to help the cause should give their opinions and insight.

...And make sure to follow through with action
Reply to  Only those that want to help the cause
January 21, 2020 8:50 pm

By registering and voting on election day.

Voter
January 8, 2020 4:28 pm

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

To "Voter"
Reply to  Voter
January 8, 2020 5:53 pm

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.

If all Jews voted we'd be a big bloc
Reply to  Voter
January 9, 2020 10:19 pm

It’s just that Jews aren’t using their political power.

Indeed
Reply to  If all Jews voted we'd be a big bloc
January 11, 2020 10:32 pm

It’s very sad.

Why can't Jews understand?
Reply to  Indeed
January 11, 2020 11:10 pm

Why can’t Jews understand that in order for them to have power they have to vote?

A suggestion to community leaders
January 8, 2020 4:28 pm

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.

Raffle
Reply to  A suggestion to community leaders
January 9, 2020 12:28 am

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 is important enough
Reply to  Raffle
January 9, 2020 3:54 pm

Keeping the community safe should be important enough, we should not need any raffles for serious people to take this seriously.

I have a good incentive
Reply to  Keeping the community safe is important enough
January 20, 2020 3:56 pm

Being able to walk the streets freely and safely.

my opinion
January 8, 2020 4:32 pm

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.

Good idea
Reply to  my opinion
January 8, 2020 5:11 pm

The community loves fun events with free food and entertainment. Why not offer incentives.

The incentive should be keeping C.H. safe
Reply to  Good idea
January 10, 2020 3:09 pm

That’s the biggest incentive there could be to vote.

I have an incentive
Reply to  Good idea
January 19, 2020 6:53 pm

Being able to walk the streets safely.

And my opinion...
Reply to  my opinion
January 8, 2020 5:55 pm

If YOU want them to act you must vote. Don’t give excuses for not voting.

YOU care!
Reply to  my opinion
January 9, 2020 10:38 am

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
Reply to  my opinion
January 12, 2020 1:01 pm

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 is simple
January 8, 2020 5:39 pm

The solution the the rise of anti semetic crime is simple. “every Jew a .22”

The solution is even simpler
Reply to  The solution is simple
January 8, 2020 10:28 pm

If everyone voted, they would make sure no one messed with the Jews.

And bring your friends and family
Reply to  The solution is even simpler
January 19, 2020 10:47 pm

They should vote too.

gershon shapiro(@gys1)
January 8, 2020 6:29 pm

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 »

Demonstrate---
Reply to  gershon shapiro
January 16, 2020 2:28 pm

Occupy — make headlines — stop being nice!

LSD

Or you could just vote better people into office
Reply to  Demonstrate---
January 22, 2020 2:47 pm

That’s a much better idea.

Not just vote
January 8, 2020 6:31 pm

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 »

Everybody register and vote!
January 8, 2020 6:37 pm

For the sake of our community nobody should be lazy or give excuses.

Problem
January 8, 2020 6:42 pm

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 the problem
Reply to  Problem
January 8, 2020 7:28 pm

The solution to that problem is that people educate themselves on which politicians they should vote for.

Yes
Reply to  The solution to the problem
January 8, 2020 9:19 pm

But also, people need to know not to trust the chjcc and to do their own research and educate themselves.

But
Reply to  Yes
January 9, 2020 2:31 pm

If everyone decides for themselves, then we’re not voting as a bloc. That’s what counts.

As long as every Jew votes
Reply to  But
January 9, 2020 3:53 pm

They will not want to lose our votes if we’re all voting.

If ALL Jews voted, the politicians would listen us
January 8, 2020 7:16 pm

They would not want to lose our votes.

Now that no one votes, elected officials have nothing to be afraid of.

And if ALL Jews registered
Reply to  If ALL Jews voted, the politicians would listen us
January 20, 2020 7:29 pm

Then they would be able to vote.

If you don't vote, don't complain
January 8, 2020 7:17 pm

Act. Don’t whine.

המעשה הוא העיקר
Reply to  If you don't vote, don't complain
January 12, 2020 2:25 pm

Only action can help the situation.

You missed the point
January 8, 2020 7:26 pm

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.

The point
January 8, 2020 7:27 pm

Unity is the answer. Plain and simple

That's right, unity. We should ALL vote!
Reply to  The point
January 10, 2020 3:41 pm

This way we’re unified.

the answer is in the details
January 8, 2020 7:39 pm

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.

Yaakova Babinet’s article has the details!
Reply to  the answer is in the details
January 8, 2020 9:15 pm
No credibility without name
January 8, 2020 7:48 pm

Why are people scared to put their name behind what they believe in?

Lots of credibility
Reply to  No credibility without name
January 8, 2020 8:28 pm

The article is spot on and has lots of credibility even if you don’t know who wrote it.

What does a name have to do with it?
Reply to  No credibility without name
January 8, 2020 8:48 pm

If what he’s saying is true (which it is), does no name make it any less true??

Fear of Economic Reprisal & Loss of Future Income
Reply to  No credibility without name
January 8, 2020 10:06 pm

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 »

If the article is right, the name doesn't matter
Reply to  No credibility without name
January 10, 2020 2:06 pm

Do you agree with the content?
(You should.)

The message is the point, not the messenger
Reply to  No credibility without name
January 12, 2020 12:47 pm

And the message is 100% correct.

Voting is your civic duty
January 8, 2020 7:51 pm

If you don’t, you don’t care about your community.

Jewish Empowerment
January 8, 2020 7:53 pm

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

Will we never learn?
January 8, 2020 8:29 pm

Expecting anything from those who have only given us reason to expect the opposite is the first mistake.

Jewish Empowerment
January 8, 2020 8:53 pm

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 »

That's right!
Reply to  Jewish Empowerment
January 9, 2020 7:14 pm

1000% spot on!

Wow
Reply to  Jewish Empowerment
January 10, 2020 12:33 am

QUALITY information!

THIS should be published as a stand-alone op-ed/article on COLLIVE.

Vote! Vote! Vote!
January 8, 2020 9:45 pm

It’s the only thing we can do on a community level.

Don't be lazy. Vote!
January 8, 2020 9:48 pm

We don’t want to hear excuses.

The current legislature is anti semitic
January 8, 2020 11:26 pm

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 DON'T CARE!
January 9, 2020 3:04 am

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.

Why aren't we "GUARANTEED voters" ?
Reply to  THEY DON'T CARE!
January 9, 2020 12:59 pm

Don’t bring the defeatist “it won’t make a difference attitude. We’re trying to help the community here.

It's not only about voting Republican
Reply to  THEY DON'T CARE!
January 9, 2020 1:45 pm

Democrat primaries are even more important to vote in.

If we voted in the Democrat primaries
Reply to  THEY DON'T CARE!
January 12, 2020 1:02 pm

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.

Everyone should register as Democrats
Reply to  If we voted in the Democrat primaries
January 19, 2020 1:55 pm

So we can vote in their primaries, since their candidates are usually the ones that win the general elections.

CH Jewish Voter Education & Registration Group ???
January 9, 2020 12:23 pm

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 )

Voting = caring about the community
January 9, 2020 2:50 pm

.ומכלל הן אתה שומע לאו

In other words
Reply to  Voting = caring about the community
January 12, 2020 2:26 pm

Whoever does not vote does not care.

Don't vote? Don't complain!
January 9, 2020 2:52 pm

Whoever does not vote has no right to complain about anything.

Here is the solution.
January 9, 2020 11:48 pm

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.

The Power Lies in the Shuls
Reply to  Here is the solution.
January 10, 2020 5:19 pm

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.

Excellent idea!
Reply to  The Power Lies in the Shuls
January 11, 2020 6:38 pm

Everyone should get involved.

Internalize this!!!
January 10, 2020 3:23 pm

“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!”

Excellent recap
Reply to  Internalize this!!!
January 11, 2020 10:14 pm

I hope everyone internalizes that message.

Voting would be the best internalizing
Reply to  Excellent recap
January 22, 2020 1:41 pm

דעת המקשר למעשה

Suspicious
January 11, 2020 8:06 pm

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.

Another place was changed as well
Reply to  Suspicious
January 11, 2020 10:12 pm

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.

Open carry, make CH a second amendment sanctuary
January 15, 2020 4:51 pm

Deterrent is always helpful ….

The only way to do that is...
Reply to  Open carry, make CH a second amendment sanctuary
January 19, 2020 3:01 pm

…If we have politicians that agree with that.
And how do we accomplish that? By voting!

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