SAN DIEGO — For me, it was symbolic that there was a sudden downpour of rain at approximately 9:30 a.m., PST, an hour after CNN and MSNBC projected Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris to be the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States. Having had a long, dry, wildfire-prone season, the rain seemed to be just what we needed to move our city through another period of dangerous weather. And, in my opinion at least, the election of Biden and Harris was what our country needed to get us past growing division and hatred, and onto reconciliation and mutual cooperation.
I know that friends and families have been divided, sometimes angrily, over the relative merits of former Vice President Joe Biden, the now successful Democrat, and President Donald J. Trump, the now defeated Republican. Of course, ballot recounts and legal challenges still are before us. But I also sense there is a desire among partisans on both sides to put the election and the angry rhetoric behind us, and to try to re-forge ourselves into one country, a united people.
During a phone conversation I had with our retiring Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) she reflected that perhaps because of the personal tragedies that Biden had suffered in his life — including the loss of his first wife and daughter in a car crash; his own brush with death following an aneurysm that required emergency brain surgery; and the more recent death of his son, the former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden — that the President-elect has a longstanding and deep sense of empathy for other people, and along with that, an ability to deal with people on meaningful person-to-person levels no matter how they might differ with him on partisan issues.
Davis suggested that Biden is very comfortable within his own skin, that “he doesn’t have to prove himself” and that therefore he is secure enough to reach out to other people– whether that be a Mitch McConnell on his political right or a Bernie Sanders on his left — and, with them, to find common ground. Now, of course, Biden’s task and that of Vice President-elect Harris is much larger; they will have to persuade not only their fellow politicians but also many millions of Americans who voted for President Trump. They must convince these Americans that they were sincere in their promise to be the President and Vice President who will view all Americans — however they voted — as their treasured constituents.
However, we can’t leave the business of national reconciliation to our politicians alone. As loyal, patriotic Americans, each of us at the grassroots level should reach out to people who voted for the opposition’s presidential candidate, and express a desire to work together for the betterment of the country. As bitterness subsides, we must try to dismiss from our minds all the negative things each campaign said about the other’s presidential candidate and concentrate instead on the positive reasons why people voted for either Biden or Trump. What Trump supporters positively liked about him should be taken note of by Biden supporters, and vice versa. Each side should be able to find in the other side some good ideas upon which to build a mutual, collaborative relationship.
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Jewish reactions to the election (Updated November 8, 2020)
Commentary from some members and organizations of the Jewish community were issued quickly, despite the news of Biden’s win coming on Shabbat, while other individuals and groups waited until after sundown to make their feelings known. While some comments were conciliatory, others hadn’t yet moved past the battle.
Here, in alphabetical order, is a compilation of how various members of the community reacted:
–Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin, co-executive directors of Indivisible: “It’s been a long couple of days. We always knew that election night would feature a nerve-wracking red mirage. And while we ultimately beat Trump resoundingly, we had some heartbreaking losses in the House, Senate, and state legislatures. We fell short in places that hurt. We wanted the wave to crash down everywhere, and it didn’t. That’s hard. The forces of white supremacy and plutocracy have deep roots in our country, and it’s going to take more than one election cycle to defeat them. But that’s why we commit to being in it for the long haul. Because we know this fight for the future of our country isn’t just about defeating Donald Trump — it’s about defeating the forces that allowed him to rise.”
–Jonathan Greenblatt, national CEO of the Anti-Defamation League: “This has been an election year without precedent in American history, not only due to the challenges of the pandemic, but also because it took place in the shadow of record levels of antisemitism and rising hate, the mainstreaming of online conspiracy theories such as QAnon, and attempts by domestic extremists to undermine the voting process. And yet, despite the challenges, Americans turned out in historic numbers. The unprecedented level of civic participation is a powerful testament to the enduring strength of our democracy and the right of every American to have a voice and a vote. We are deeply appreciative of the election workers who labored tirelessly day and night to ensure that the votes are collected and counted accurately. It is vitally important that every vote must be counted – and recounted as necessary – to properly validate the results. And yet this is no time for baseless recriminations or false claims that the election was “stolen” or that the vote was somehow not valid. We hope that all parties will allow the process to run its course – and that the 46th president of the United States will be sworn into office in January 2021. There has been an enormous amount of pain on all sides over these past four years. We hope that all Americans – liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, affiliated and unaffiliated – can unite after this bitter season and find common ground in working together to solve the myriad challenges that face our nation and the world. America is stronger when we unite and now is the time to find a path forward, together.”
–Sheila Katz, president of the National Council of Jewish Women: ““We look forward to working with President-elect Joe Biden and, in particular, we are proud to celebrate the glass ceiling-breaking milestone of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris becoming the first woman, first Black person and first South Asian American elected to serve in this capacity. This election was an example of our democracy at work. Because of the efforts of so many, including National Council of Jewish Women advocates, we were able to protect the vote and ensure that every voice counted. NCJW’s 29 state policy advocates; more than 30 Promote the Vote, Protect the Vote captains; and all 59 of our sections engaged in this election: through education, registering voters, getting out the vote, and volunteering as poll workers.”
—Idit Klein and Seth Marnin, respectively President/ CEO and Board Chair of Keshet: “As we congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we’re reminded of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s words: “If you believe that it is possible for something to break, you must believe that it is possible for it to be repaired.” Looking at the deep divides and systemic injustice in our country, we know there is much for us to repair. Yet, at Keshet, we find tremendous hope in this victory for equality, justice, and dignity for all. As Jews, LGBTQ people, and allies, we hold these values as our mandate for action and our vision for the future.”
—Ron Klein and Halie Sofer, respectively chair and executive director of the Jewish Democratic Council of America: “Americans chose unity over division, decency over hate, and science over fiction. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be the next President and Vice President of the United States, and we’re are incredibly proud that overwhelming support among Jewish Americans helped ensure their victory in critical swing states. More than three-quarters of Jewish voters supported Joe Biden by a nearly-historic 56% margin (77-21) precisely because we voted our values. … The struggle to restore the soul of our nation will continue. We have much work to do, including two Senate races to win in Georgia. To join our effort to ensure Democrats win control of the Senate, please donate here. We are building a coalition to ensure Rev. Warnock and Jon Ossoff win in Georgia, and want you all to be a part of it.”
–Abby J. Leibman, President and CEO of Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger: “With this historic presidential election now behind us, we must immediately address the critical issue of unprecedented #hunger in our country. Grounded in our Jewish values and traditions that command us to care for those in need, we at MAZON will hold the Biden-Harris Administration to its promise of strengthening the nutrition safety net for all who need it. It is more important than ever that we come together — across the deeply partisan divide in American politics — to pass a COVID-19 response bill to #BoostSNAPNow. We look forward to working with the new Administration, Congress, and policymakers at all levels of government to ensure that all Americans can feed themselves and their families.”
–U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-California): “”I congratulate former-Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris on their election as the new President and Vice President of the U.S. I believe their administration will unify our nation and move us forward on key challenges, such as combating climate change, getting assistance to Americans during this pandemic, and addressing the inequalities and injustices in our society. President-elect Biden will be the president for all Americans. I am ready for the hard work ahead and excited about participating in the rebuilding of our Executive Branch and reestablishing our nation’s leadership role in so many areas. Most of all, I look forward to working with an administration of honesty, character, and integrity. We have hopefully turned a dark page in our history, and I am hopeful that better days lie just ahead.“
–Orthodox Union: “The Orthodox Union looks forward to working with President-elect Biden and his incoming Administration on matters of critical importance to our community, including overcoming the coronavirus and its disruptive impact on our schools, synagogues and other essential parts of our community, keeping the U.S.-Israel relationship strong, thwarting Iran’s malign activities, expanding educational opportunity and choice for all American children, defending America’s ‘first freedom’ of religious liberty and standing against anti-Semitism.”
–Letty Cottin Pogrebin, founding editor of Ms. Magazine “Laugh. Shout. Jump. Dance, Run. Rejoice. Hug someone (if you’ve both tested negative), Pour yourself a drink and toast the President and Vice President Elect, their well-run campaign, and the imminent return of decency, dignity, kindness, empathy, science and sense to the American scene.”
–Jack Rosen, president of the American Jewish Congress, and associates Munr Kamir, Michael Meinicke, and Joel Rubin: “Now, it is important for our political leaders to lead the American people towards bridging partisan differences and bringing people together. The Jewish community was deeply involved during this electoral season and determinative in many key races. The American Jewish Congress is proud to have educated and mobilized Jewish voters. President Trump’s term was defined by a strong commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and important advances in Middle East peace, and these are achievements we should build upon. We look forward to working with the incoming Biden Administration to continue strengthening U.S. support for Israel and its security, combating Antisemitism at home and abroad, promoting racial justice, and advancing the rights and interests of the Jewish community.”
–U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California): “Joe Biden’s story is an American story, a story of loss, perseverance, determination, and human decency. His victory today shows that in America, those qualities still matter. That right still matters, truth still matters, and decency still matters. Kamala Harris’ story is an American story, too. In electing the first woman Vice President, as well as the first person of color, Americans made a powerful statement that our nation is still a land of opportunity for all…”
–Rhoda Smolow, national president of Hadassah: ” “Hadassah extends its heartfelt congratulations to Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on his election to become the 46th President of the United States, and Senator Kamala Harris on her historic accession to the office of Vice President of the United States. The election of a woman to serve in the White House on the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment represents a turning point in American history. Millions of women and girls rightfully see Vice President-elect Harris as confirmation that in America anything is possible. This is an accomplishment all women can celebrate, no matter their politics. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the executive branch and with Congress in the coming years to further cement the US-Israel relationship, build on the progress America has made in combating antisemitism, and strengthen women’s rights and women’s health. Elections necessarily force divisions. But that time has ended and at Hadassah, we are one family, united in our shared values and commitment to building a healthier and safer future for all.”
–Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle: “Mazel tov to President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris – our nation’s first woman and first person of color to be elected to the Vice Presidency – on their victory, which was marked by the highest number of Americans voting in our nation’s history. The historic turnout for our democratic election process was achieved thanks to the combined efforts of so many individuals and organizations, including our own, that worked to equip and mobilize voters – especially voters of color – in states with long histories of voter suppression. The American people were determined to make their voices heard and our democratic system, though challenged, held firm. But holding firm is not enough. At the Workers Circle, we will continue our activism to transform our democracy into one that guarantees every citizen can vote without fear, actively works to undo racism, protects immigrants and refugees, and defends the rights of workers in pursuit of economic justice for all.”
—Mark Wilf and Eric Fingerhut, respectively the Chair and President/CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America: “We pray that he [President-elect Biden] will lead our nation with wisdom and discernment and we pledge our support to building on the foundation of liberty that is the blessing of all Americans. We also congratulate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on her historic victory. Her rise to the vice presidency is yet another indication of the ability of the United States of America to expand its pool of leadership. The President-elect and his team are intimately familiar with our community’s concerns and priorities and we look forward to working with them to address those issues as well as our countries most urgent unmet needs — chief among them bridging deep divisions. This week our faith in the durability of our democracy was tested, and in the coming months we must work together to support unity and collective action within our community and our country.”
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com