In our Jewish communities, regardless of age, religious observance, financial situation or sex, we all know someone that has been effected by the coronavirus. In the last few days, we lost rspected rabbis, a well known actor (Mark Blum-Desperately Seeking Susan) and Reb Zvi Yehuda Schmidt Z”L, (one of the owners of the Paskez Candy company) as well as teachers, Jewish organization volunteers and neighborhood public figures.
So, why am I bringing up politics now?
Because, sooner than you think, depending on which state you live in, you will have the opportunity to vote, either in a primary or a special election. And, before you know it, it’s November. We will be voting for a President, the House of Representatives and Senate, and many state and local officials who will set the policies for the beginning of the next decade.
Because we are also filling out 2020 census forms (which takes minutes and affects future generations of political power based on numbers who respond to representation and reassigning district locations), politics and the Jewish vote around the country are more important than ever before to follow.
As a candidate for Congress from NY-4, I learned a lot about the Jewish vote just from petitioning.
Many Jews are still not registered to vote. You can do this online while staying at home and social/physical distancing.
https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote
Many Jews still are not educated about who their elected officials are. It’s amazing, considering all the technology we have, social media and the 24/7 availability of news, that so many can not name state senators, assembly members, even their Congressman.
Take the time to learn their names! Take the time to learn their contact information and most important, take the time to learn their voting histories, issues they support, allies and major donors.
For example, we know the voting record of Bernie Sanders. It’s easy. He is not shy about his support for Palestinians, criticizing the Israeli government and its policies. He prides himself with his ties to Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Linda Sarsour and others. He rejects invitations from AIPAC, but gladly headlines the JStreet convention.
Anyone who supports and has endorsed Bernie, should be avoided as well. That should include NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio.
Cuomo and His Rise To National Attention
What former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani was to 9/11, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo seems to be for coronavirus. Let’s be honest. He is working with the federal government and with local officials on keeping on top of the “plague” which has decided to make its main target now the tri-state area.
However, what is said in daily televised preplanned news conferences is not always the truth.
Luckily, many have put politics aside and realize we are living in unchartered times and must work together to rebuild and end this disease.
While Cuomo has every right to ask publicly for much needed money, supplies and additional hands, he neglects to say that only a few years ago he had the option to spend money on ventilators when advised to do so.
If someone does some research, here is a fact— areas effected most are run by progressive state and local governments that criticize President Trump’s immigration policies and support sanctuary cities, illegal immigrants getting full American benefits and unsafe bail reform!
That’s not politics— that is fact!
It’s also a fact that the leading Democratic candidate for president, Joe Biden has been virtually actionless, despite over 40 years of working in Washington DC and a former Vice President.
Mike Bloomberg, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Mayor Pete.... silent!
Worse, Adam Schiff has called for a coronavirus commission to investigate President Trump’s handling of the crisis, despite gratitude from Governors from the most affected states and even Joe Biden. Does any Jew want to go through more wasted tax dollars on hoax investigations?
My District
I live in a Nassau County district with at least four religious Jewish communities. In fact, my district has some of the nation’s highest numbers tied to coronavirus victims and mortalities. This disease has touched me personally as I will be making a virtual shiva visit today to a woman I was with in February at her grandson’s Bar Mitzvah. The sad thing that I have noticed about this disease is that at least in my situation, at least two family members have the disease. It is not limited to spouses either.
It is a time for you to be able to reach out to your local officials with questions and sources for help and information. Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, a 3-term official has been virtually “missing-in-action.”
This silence has convinced me I made the right choice to run as the republican candidate for Congress in NY-4. Her recent vote to support BDS, and to not allow sanctions as part of Resolution 5595 was her last “voice” of concern to her constituents and her voice to Jews across the country.
What Jews Can Do Now
“Knowledge is power.”
Take 10 minutes every day you are quarantined or practicing safe and healthy precautions to research!!!
Jews have a unique opportunity to learn who their friends are nationally and pool together their voices, hands and donor money for winnable seats in both the House of Representatives and Senate. And, remember, their being a Jew doesn’t necessarily mean they support American Jewish or Israeli issues—think Bernie Sanders or the campaigns George Soros financially supports.
Some seats, like those held by Congresswoman AOC, are hard to win. The registration in her district proves it.
However, in my case and some others, we have have a chance. Kathleen Rice’s approval ratings, available funds plus the registration of Republicans makes this a seat Jews can win. There are others around the country. Contact me directly if you are interested in helping those candidates. I can help you find out who your personal elected officials are if you don’t know.
Hopefully this is the time of the destruction we hear about right before Moshiach comes!!
Wishing you a appy and healthy Passover. Stay healthy, stay safe, be smart and spend this time learning wisely and learn your voice does matter!!!
Cindy Grosz is running for Congress in NY’s fourth district. She has a history of working with major Jewish organizations and political leaders on opposing BDS, oversight of anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist classroom curriculum, calling out Holocaust deniers, fighting the Iranian Nuclear Deal and supporting the rights of the Jews in Judea and Samaria.
She can be reached at [email protected] or www.cindygrosz.com