Before Shabbat, go to JewsForKamala.com to: |
I wanted to share a pre-Shabbat reflection with you — the last before Election Day.
Jewish tradition teaches us that every life is a universe and each of us is valued equally. Like our allies, we believe that every person deserves freedom, safety, and belonging.
But some politicians want to build a country just for themselves. They try to tear us apart from our friends and neighbors through division and fear, dehumanizing those who don’t look like them, and working to make us afraid of each other.
We are not afraid. Our Jewish traditions and ancestors give us chutzpah, the bravery and courage to stay true to our values and dream of a new, more liberated future.
We believe that each of us can have safe communities, safe places to gather to pray, control over our own bodies and families, and the ability to move freely.
These are American issues and these are Jewish issues.
This election, we’ve joined together with our neighbors as part of the multiracial, multiethnic, multi-faith movement to defeat Trump and MAGA politicians. We’ve worked to elect leaders who give us the clearest path forward to building a country that is truly for all of us.
In the presidential race, I am inspired by stories from our community members about why they are Jews for Kamala. Hundreds wrote to us. Their answers were varied, and sometimes they didn’t agree on specific issues. (Not surprising; disagreement is a proud Jewish tradition!)
But our responders were aligned on a vision for the future. A vision that will be more possible when we elect Kamala Harris; a vision that will be much, much harder to achieve if Trump wins the presidency.
Shabbat is a radical practice on a regular week. Tonight, before Election Day 2024, it feels even more radical. No matter what is happening, our tradition teaches us to set aside time for warmth, community, and holy rest.
That’s chutzpah.
And we will carry that grounding with us into next week: No matter what the outcome of the election, our Jewish movement for justice will continue to organize in solidarity for a future with safety and thriving for all of us.
That’s chutzpah.
Shabbat Shalom from all of us at Bend the Arc.
Jamie Beran
CEO, Bend the Arc