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October 21, 2002
Dear Rabbis and
Synagogue Leaders,
As we anticipate the upcoming election
season, the Institute for Public Affairs of the Orthodox Union is urging
synagogues, yeshivot, and schools across the country to play an active
role in the political process. You may have heard from us in the past on
the importance of being registered to vote. Now it is time to remember
how important it is for Orthodox Jews to vote this coming Election Day.
We call on you as community leaders to
urge your friends, family, and all colleagues to vote in the upcoming
election. Orthodox Jews have important issues at stake on the public
policy agenda that deeply affect our lives.
Issues of racism and discrimination,
freedom of religion, education and health care profoundly influence our
day-to-day existence. Issues regarding foreign policy including Israel,
endangered Jewry, terrorism, and other global affairs affect the quality
of Jewish life in America, Israel, and all over the world.
It is crucial that we exercise our
democratic choice in voting for those who best represent our interests.
While American Jews have voted in overwhelming numbers in the past,
unfortunately this is no longer the case. In order to make sure that we
have a say in the formation of public policy, we must not forfeit our
power to elect a particular candidate to office. We cannot surrender our
ability to influence our destiny as American Jews nor must we allow others
to make choices for us.
As you address important current events
and issues in your schools and shuls, we cannot urge you enough to
emphasize the importance of our precious right to vote. This right
guarantees our freedoms as Jews and makes sure that our voice counts. If
we do not vote, the ability of the Jewish community to shape the world in
which we live is greatly diminished.
We take this opportunity to wish you and
your families a happy and healthy year.
Sincerely,
Richard B. Stone
Chairman |
Nathan Diament
Director |
Betty Ehrenberg
Director, International Affairs
and Communal Relations |
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