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November 3, 2003
MEMORANDUM
To: Rabbis and Synagogue Leaders
From: Richard B. Stone, Chairman
Betty Ehrenberg, Director, International and Communal Affairs
Re: Election Day
You 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.
Every Election Day, it is necessary to make ourselves heard and be
counted.
It is crucial that we exercise our democratic choice by 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 or express our view on a particular issue. We cannot surrender our
ability to influence our quality of daily life 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.
Thank you for your cooperation and involvement.
RBS
BE
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