Voting is a Jewish Thing: How to Protect Elections
Our sacred texts are full of evidence that voting is a Jewish value and a mitzvah. The prophet Jeremiah wrote about how we are to engage in, and contribute to, the communities where we live. (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Rabbi Hillel urges us to never separate ourselves from the community. (Pirkei Avot 2:4) Rabbi Yitzhak teaches us that we can’t appoint a leader without the consultation and agreement of the community (Berachot 55a).
But is voting enough?
Voting is not only a right, but also a sacred duty. But is it enough to simply vote? A chaotic political environment and increased mistrust in the government have led people to question the integrity of our election system. Just in the past few weeks, politically motivated actors have sought to sow doubt in Michigan’s election process and intimidate some voters. People across the political spectrum are warning us that we need to make sure our elections are protected, fair and accessible. All eligible voters deserve access to the ballot box.
There are many ways to get involved and help protect elections.
Jews for a Secular Democracy (JFASD) and Detroit Jews for Justice are part of a voting rights coalition that is comprised of approximately 45 nonpartisan organizations committed to election protection. We would love your help! Here are some things you can do to help protect our elections.
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