By Efraim M. for COLlive.com
I have previously explained how important it is for everyone in the Jewish community of Crown Heights to vote, and I’ve given examples where that has affected us personally. Now it’s time to act.
There are many eligible voters who are not registered, and it is crucial that they pick up a form at the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council and mail it in, or print this and send it in, or register online as soon as possible.
Obviously, on election day everyone must go out and participate so that we can finally elect politicians who have our interests in mind. Those who work should know that 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.
School principles and teachers must encourage all students (both bochurim and girls) who are 18 and older to register right away and to be ready to vote on election day.
We all know that Hashem runs the world and that we are required to have faith in Him. At the same time, Hashem commanded us not to rely on miracles and to do our “hishtadlus” (human effort) in ways that accord with the natural order of things. This is why we go to work to earn a livelihood, buy food to sustain ourselves, and seek medical care when our bodies require it.
Voting is no different. In order to effectuate change and ensure that our needs are met, we must be politically active and engaged, since that is the only means through which our voices can be heard.
We are blessed to live in a country where everyone has the right and privilege to vote. But voting is also a responsibility, and one who does not take part but subsequently complains about anything related to the government or politics has only themselves to blame for not doing their part to change it. And if we don’t get involved now, the problem of local antisemitism might get worse, as more politicians who don’t care about our safety get elected.
The presidential primaries will be on Tuesday, 4 Iyar 5780 / April 28, 2020.
Local primaries for statewide offices will be on Tuesday, 1 Tammuz 5780 / June 23, 2020.
The general election for president, Congress, State Senate and Assembly will be on Tuesday, 16 Cheshvan 5781 / November 3, 2020.
In the June 23 primary, we have a real chance to elect a frum Yid to Congress who will advocate for our interests and concerns. Let’s not squander this major opportunity, for who knows if it will ever present itself again. The deadline to switch to the Democrat party and be eligible to vote in this primary is February 14. For first time registrations please see the dates here.
So once more, if you haven’t registered yet please do so right away and encourage your friends and family to do the same. If you’re registered but not as a Democrat, please change your party affiliation as soon as possible (details are explained here) so that you can help elect Chaim Deutsch. And most importantly, every single person must vote on election day.
Together as a community, we can make a big difference, and with Hashem’s help see real change from our elected officials, the undoing of destructive policies that enable antisemitic attacks, and the enactment of new laws that will prevent them in the future. You have the power to radically change the situation for the better, don’t wait until it is too late, act now, register and vote!
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People love free things. If any type of incentives would be given more and more pool would vote. Be it a voucher to an eatery , or even just a big shmorgasbord on the evening of the party , you’ll see a very big turn out. This wouldn’t be considered bribery to vote.
That’s the biggest incentive there can be.
The best reason.
We’d be in much better shape.
what being a Democrat is all about anyway?
Yes, free food and stuff does bring out a crowd, civic duty doesn’t.
To help everyone understand why it’s in their best interest to get involved and vote.
THERES NO DEMOCRAT PARTY NOWADAYS, ONLY REPUBLICAN. ITS EVEN ASSUR TO VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT
And the only way to make it moderate again is to be PRACTICAL and vote in its primaries.
it will never happen. the dem party is over. before Moshiach comes there must be a total difference between good & bad , right and wrong . so its not possible for the dem party to cchange. and even if you would like to hope , the party themselves tell you they wont. they are the worse, most hated, racist ,anti-semetic party ever. and they arent even ashamed to say so. just like in the past only bad affiliations came from them ( kkk etc ) . so no to any affiliation with them is the correct way
We have a chance to elect a Frum Yid as our Congressman. Let’s seize the opportunity.
This way we’ll have an elected official who really cares about us.
You have to make practical decisions. And voting in the Democratic primary is the only way for our voices to be heard.
Who are you to come and tell me what political beliefs to have and how to vote? I am registered as a proud republican and will not change that!
You talk about the rights that we have in this country; it’s my right to vote as I wish without you coming and telling me what political beliefs I should have and who I should vote for.
You can be a proud Republican and register as a Democrat for tactical purposes. Yes, it’s a thing!
No one is trying to run your life – the article simply explains a very important strategy so that your vote as a “Proud Republican” will still be 100% valid next November but you are not WASTING that vote in the important primaries. By registering as a Democrat, you will be able to help our community have representatives who resemble us and our values instead of what we have settled for all these years – which is only getting worse. I beg you to put your yesh aside ( as well as the other 5 people who voted with you… Read more »
Do you want a Frum Yid to represent us?
This isn’t about registering as a Democrat bc you believe in their harmful ideas – it’s about using your power of the vote to exert control over who the Democratic candidates will be. And then you can still vote Republican in November !! Please read this article again so you can clear up your misunderstandings. And of course, NONE of it matters if you are not registered to vote ! Leaders / community council / Vaad / Rabbis – can someone PLEASE organize a serious Voter Registration Drive ?? And rides to the polls would help a lot …
There’s no excuse not to.
…then do it for your family, friends and community.
ומכלל הן אתה שומע לאו
Come to Frankel,s Shul 1699 President Street Reuven Lipkind has the registration forms will be there in the morning 7:30 am and 9:00 pm to register you for the next election,,
But this has to be going on all over Crown Heights – at different times & in different locations! And we need to be much more aggressive – set up tables in front of our Yeshivas and on Kingston Avenue for registering, encourage absentee ballots for our students learning out of town, and provide transportation on Election Day. Other communities do these things. Surely there must be grants to cover any salaries or expenses. We MUST get serious – Crown Heights has never even tried to use the poswer of the vote -a basic in the USA. Numbers of Votes… Read more »
i didnt see any care about letting deblasio win, the community rachmana lizlan even advocated for him
very wrong! The dEmocratic party is the party of hate they always have been !they are the party that are the root cause of many of the problems the party that voted the whole criminal reform act into law that is giving incentive & motivation rewards the party that allows all those who have assaulted robbed acccosted memvbers of the Jewish community to get pout of jail on no bail same or next day. The community council supports these haters & proved it 2 weeks ago when they lied to everyone concerning The Melava Malkah which as nothing more than… Read more »
we are a large group of people living in the District
and we have taken vows NOT to vote Democratic.
Perhaps he can run as a conservative as well
Not the general election.
In the general election you can vote as you please.
If everyone votes, we can do it!
We have clear direction from our Rebbe to vote only RIGHT. Democratic Party is way too left.
Listen to our Torah and to our Leaders and we will be successful.
Vote in the democratic primary and vote for the most right/moderate candidate.
Google “Crown Heights Jewish Voter”
BH
Why is this article anonymous??
If the author cannot stand by what we he wrote, how can the reader be expected to? (It’s a kal vachomer.)
An anonymous article is a pashkvil, not an op-ed.
So of what relevance is the name?
Considering that everything in the article is 100% correct.
It’s an excellent public service announcement.
It’s a desperately needed community service and public service announcement trying to get everyone to vote so that we’ll have good representation finally.
Register to Vote or Change Party Registration at the DMV Site – https://voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/MotorVoter/?_ga=2.250432966.1142799100.1581373998-718754129.1559580609 June 23, 2020 Primary Deadlines MAIL REGISTRATION (N.Y. Election Law Section 5-210(3)) Application must be postmarked no later than May 29, 2020 and received by a board of elections no later than June 3, 2020 to be eligible to vote in the Primary. IN PERSON REGISTRATION (N.Y. Election Law Sections 5-210, 5-211, 5-212) You may register at your local board of elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act, on any business day throughout the year but, to be eligible to vote in… Read more »
Let’s not be lazy.
It’s the right thing to do.
Vote Republican
Register Republican
If you want your vote to count, vote in the Democrat primaries for a Frum Yid who is running to be our congressman.
Or you can vote for a Frum Yid in the Democrat primary on June 23.
BH I’m exaggerating a little by calling it a pashkvil. My point is that anonymous articles are closer to a pashkvil than op-ed. Even if the article has great points and is 100% correct, the impact of it and its authenticity is very much reduced. It’s written by nobody.There is no face to it. It’s not real. In that sense, it’s very similar to a pashkvil (in this case – it’s without the loshon hora and personal attacks that typically come with a pashkvil ). Do you every see anonymous op-eds in the New York Times or any other newspaper?… Read more »
There are many reasons why he would not want to include his name. That does not take away from the fact that the article is superb and spot-on.
It’s a superb article that the community desperately needs to be educated on.
There can be many reasons why he would not want to include his name.
If everything written is true (which it is), of what significance is the name or lack thereof?
Anonymous articles and comments should not be posted, This would solve a lot of problem and would prevent a lot of loshon hora and craziness that goes on in the commenting. If people actually had to show their identity in order to comment, they would be much more careful with what they write or might decide not to comment at all in some (most?) instances. The quality of the articles or “op-eds” would also go up. The writers would make sure to edit it properly and that the content is accurate etc.. The key word here is ACCOUNTABILITY. (The one… Read more »
It’s a great public service announcement. Let’s not sow division here.
Not by whose name is or isn’t there.
It calls for unity and that we all get involved.
Ignore the mockers.
Whoever didn’t switch you have two days left to do so.
The Democratic party does not support Israel.
We’re trying to elect Democrats who DO support Israel.
That’s the whole point of this article.
This is the whole point.
Absolutely NO WE DON’T! This is the most out of touch statement I have ever heard. The Democrat party is currently about death of unborn & newborn infants, taking away our human rights, stealing our social security cofers, unmitigated lying/slander/hatred for America & our values,and much worse. Kissing the enemy; J.Street is of the party you say we should vote. Do you even have a clue what is going on in our country right now? Anyone voting Dem is a traitor!
It’s not saying you should vote Democrat in the general election, but that in the Democrat primary people should vote for the most MODERATE candidate.
By voting in their primary for the candidates who are NOT radical Democrats.
And in the general you can vote for Republicans.
If everyone actually voted in Crown Heights, more politicians would cater to us. Too many lazy bums here
To encourage everyone to get involved and vote.