By Yosef Hershkop
Hillel says, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” Pirkei Avos, 1:14
The time has come. We cannot sit on the sidelines any longer. After years of attritional fire directed at us by haters of our community, in recent weeks it’s become a full-frontal war. While at one time we were allowed to live our quiet lives, that is no longer the case. The haters have pushed us into a corner where they are pummeling us with physical blows and even more dangerously spiritual blows. We now know that our advocacy of both the quiet hishtadlus and the more public petitioning (over 300K in favor of Yeshivos) unfortunately isn’t enough. The government will be putting our most basic Mesorahs on trial and they’ll be encouraged by the NY Times and prominent social media personalities.
More personally, as some of you may know I was the victim of a vicious crime several months ago. Because of this, I, unfortunately, became very experienced in how despicably crime victims are treated and how unlikely it is for violent thugs to face any sort of consequences. (Only 1 out of the 4 perps were arrested). The root of that is definitely the lack of leadership coming from the top. This lack of leadership also impacts our overcrowded hospitals, inability to get proper mental healthcare for those in need, and the disgraceful way our special needs children have been treated since March of 2020. Kathy Hochul isn’t even pretending to fix any of this; in fact, she’s actually really proud of how things are going and will double down on the worst policies.
Some are calling for us to move out of the state on a mass scale. Others are calling to prepare to live underground just like the Chassidim did in the Soviet union. The Aibishter has given us a third option, though: we have the right to vote, something Yidden almost never had historically. Not only can we vote, we actually have the rare opportunity to vote for someone who truly respects our community and has shown a willingness to publicly stand with us.
On Tuesday, November 8th (14 Cheshvan) we must vote like our lives depend on it. Nobody–and I mean nobody–has the right to stay home. Let us all take a stand for our community and our way of life, and proudly vote for our friend Congressman Lee Zeldin for Governor.
I know we probably don’t have the numbers but if everyone votes- every single male and female old enough to vote- AT LEAST we can be considered a force to be reckoned with.
To answer the header. When the community stops expecting the world to care and desperately clinging to politicians that fail us a little more every election… antisemitism continues to rise despite best efforts. The media largely ignores crimes unless it serves their political interests. It is always limited and we know there is always more. I’d say we need to make every crime is visible. . . from multiple angles and put them on social media and video channels held up to police that do not prevent, DAs that do not prosecute, politicians that only care about publicity shots and… Read more »
Thank you for the inspiration.
I will make sure to do this!
Some people from the older generation do not want us to make political noise because we may become targets. Well, we are now targets as a result of our many years of apathy and political silence. The time to wake up is now.
“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”
About time something is done
I know Yosef personally, he isn’t here to get his name in the news, far from that, he saw first hand that the status quo isn’t working, and he is stepping up to the plate as a leader we need in crown heights!
The DemoncRats have aligned themselves with every sort of anti-civilization behavior, similar to the people leading up to and during Noah’s time: theft, violence, perversion, and so on. They have turned our beautiful shiny big red apple into a rotten apple. Time for a strong Republican to come and clean up the mess.
For having the courage to write this important article. May Hashem heal you from the trauma you went through and watch over ALL of us just trying to raise our children and live our lives in peace. And just so you know, crime is an issue for ALL of New Yorkers, it doesn’t matter who you are. These criminals have no more self restraint and EVERYONE is really mad both at the governor AND the mayor for talking and not doing, for saying the crime is perception. What an insult to the victims, families and friends. The mother and family… Read more »
My wife tried voting on the last election in crown heights which was over 10 years ago and it was only for men.
I guess when it works for you woman should go vote.
Only since 1919
Of course women can vote. You must be talking about voting within for vaad hakhal or for the Rabbonim.
In the last local elections for the Crown Height Vaad Hakohol, only one vote was allowed per household. A household was defined as a married couple. That means single women (and single men, for that matter) were unable to vote. The laws should be changed to allow everybody over the age of 21 to vote.
In Israel the religious parties often take the entire adult student body to vote. The army makes special arrangements for chayalim to vote wherever they may be (vs their polling home sites). Do the same!! As a group – during Yeshiva time vs on the bochur’s cheshbon. It’s a lot of votes. Same w Seninary. Offer rides to seniors and a youngster to help them at the polls.
Vote Zelden!!!! Thank you Yosef for putting the reminder out there.
I am very surprised on such an critical close election, and one that will have a very long term impact for everyone in NYC, that those community activists responsible for political involvement did not go out and make sure that every CH household with eligible voters from the age of 18 and up are registered to vote. Then, to provide rides to those who need on election day to go to the polling places.This would amount to thousands and thousands of votes that would otherwise not happen. I will never forget many many years ago when Rabbi Flint a”h came… Read more »
I’ve been wondering this myself.. This is why US the individual, can and must take our own initiatives and not delegate our advocacy to others . It is not too late to arrange ride for election day and early voting . The steps you wrote all the more so can make or break more local elections such as State Senator, State Assemblyman and NYC Council
Hochul is for women’s rights and equality. There’s no woman in her right mind who would vote for Zeldin considering his stance on pro/anti-choice.
I would also never vote for someone who’s delusional enough to believe that trump won the election. Either Zeldin doesn’t know how to count or he’s a liar.
Hochul has my vote!!
New York’s pro choice will not change regardless of who is governor. The state legislature needs to send a bill and that won’t happen. But who needs pro choice when the street violence will kill you anyhow. This election is not about trump. That the only thing they keep repeating. This election is about the safety of our streets. This election is about the freedom to teach our children our way of life. This election is about keeping criminals behind bars. This election is about making sure we are never singled out again in Albany for whatever the reason may… Read more »
Do you know how many female fetuses have been aborted in Hochul’s New York? So many future women whose lives were mercilessly cut short. Will you stand up for their right to life?
and Hochul is for the rights of criminals over the rights of law abiding citizens.
a woman’s rights to be born in the first place, rather than aborted on a whim? Does that not count?
How about a woman’s rights to not be attacked by criminals who are free to roam the streets? Does that not count?
G-D forbid voting for hochul. shes a wicked evil person. she makes cuomo look like a tzaddik. she’s doesn’t care for anyone but herself. she’s so against equality and for sure against any torah views. she up with this goyishe way of life voting for the hateful dems and the world will be destroyed
Abortion will be legal in NY despite Zeldin being governor. That is passed through state legislation.
You are worried about abortion? Woman’s rights and equality? These are non issues in reality . Hochul could care less about “women’s rights” either. Its just a talking point to avoid the real issues we face.
so women’s rights are more important than human life? when ppl are getting killed in our streets for a second just think with your head. this does not mean women’s rights don’t matter
and this is the problem.. we have people like this who are selfish and blinded. I am also a women. I will vote for what is best for my community . nt for me as an individual.
Besides governor there are more people to vote for, how do I know what district we are and who are the candidates?
Can someone send sample ballots for crown heights, plus there proposal questions, can someone direct us what to answer to the positive or negative.
it seems the long term elected askanim are supporting hochul, when i moved to CH after becoming a baal teshuva I was always a Democrat and found it comforting that the leadership of anash are interwined with the Democrats so I will be supporting Hochul.
Comforting? What a neat excuse to avoid thinking. Did you ever examine just why the leaders of Crown Heights are “entwined with the Democrats,” as they appear to be. It’s all about money. Well, I prefer safety. I want to be able to walk on our streets without fear. I also insist on our right to educate our children as our educators decide is best. When you came to Crown Heights, you must have done a little thinking… Why don’t you give it a try again? It is imperative to get the Democrats, starting with Kathy Hochul, out of office… Read more »
Any normal thinking Jew must vote Zeldin. All jewish communities from Brooklyn through upstate are coming out in force for Zeldin. The subways are becoming more dangerous than ever. Every yeshiva must bring out their adult students to vote Zeldin.