An Open Letter to the Presidential Candidates. I Am Voting as a Proud Zionist

My mothers ( Of blessed memory ) Star of David. Photo by Laurel Herman

Dear Presidential Candidate,

This time I am voting as a proud Zionist.  I think you need to read this, but probably won’t.  Like many other Jewish Americans, October 7 th changed everything.  In a conversation with one of my cousins, he said to me (I am paraphrasing here), “As an Independent, you will look at both sides. “He is correct. He said to me” I have always voted Israel first”

In speaking to several people, who are not Jewish, I find one thing in common. A lot of Americans don’t think that what goes on in Israel, has anything to do with what happens in the US.  It most certainly does. And that’s where I think they fall short. Civilization is a stake. The West is at stake. And Antisemitism is by far one of the biggest issues we face. In my opinion? Israel herself holds the balance for the rest of humanity. Israel holds the key to preserving civilization. Israel loves life.  So where exactly do you stand? And will your actions meet your words?

Growing up in a super liberal home, I could never understand how a Jewish person could be Conservative. Aren’t we the Jewish people who fight for the downtrodden, fight for equal rights? How could they? As recently as two years ago driving with a Jewish friend, I told her I was more of a democratic socialist. Or at least I thought I was. I loved Bernie Sanders.  And she politely responded, “I am more the other way.” I didn’t know what she meant until now.

In the past I supported every human rights issue that was out there. Why on earth would I support/vote all these other causes and not Jewish ones? And where were these people I supported on October 8^th? I like many others, were betrayed by the very people we thought were decent human beings Thank you Democrats.  Yes, they will fight for equal rights, for everyone’s right to exist, except Israel. And there’s always a catch. “We support you 100 percent BUT….” 

To my former supposed leaders, people I looked up to, where the hell were you?   And maybe the bigger question is where was I?

I have devoured several books to educate myself  since that awful day. I watched in horror the world’s response or lack there of to the massacre. I watched Israel immediately blamed for what happened. The sheer arrogance of former friends who didn’t believe that babies were beheaded, or women were raped, but insulted when I didn’t make a big deal over pronouns. Why aren’t people doing their homework? The answer unfortunately is they are not interested. It  doesn’t affect them. Yet.

Some things on the left of liberal have just gone too far. I am not a “cis  woman.” Why do I have to agree with everything? Just because it’s a trend, and God forbid anyone feels offended.  I can no longer call a person who had died, dead, I have to use the word “unalived.” Which isn’t even a word according to my spell check. That does not make me whatever the phobic word of the day is.  Raising the Palestinian flag, burning the American flag, abusing the right to peacefully protest, shouting death to Israel, destroying public property that belongs to the American people, is not ok with me.  I honestly don’t care who you are, or what fringe group de jour you are playing to at the moment or what accent you use to gain votes.  Or that you understand how the anti Semitic protesters feel. That was especially a low blow.  (that was meant for you, Kamala). When people show you who they are,  believe them.

I am not swayed by the status quo or fear.  I might vote for some of you, I have previously said I hated or would never listen to. I still don’t personally like you.  I doubt we would be friends.  However, I am voting for whoever will without hesitation, support Israel.  If you are that person who really loves Israel, then you have my vote. What are you doing for the hostages, about antisemitism? The blatant abuse against Jews on campus? Which one of you will do the right thing? We are a people of ethics.  Show me you have the chutzpah to stand with Israel and the Jewish people no matter what. This is my single voting issue. Period. My vote, my choice. We shall see where we land.

I am here for nuance, not fear or campaign rhetoric. Actions speak louder than words.  You can condemn the latest anti-Semitic act, but if you don’t do something about it, the words are empty.  The one thing that is not negotiable, is Israel, and the Jewish people.   This time I am voting as a proud Zionist who is 100 percent for Israel, and my eyes are on you. Am Yisrael Chai!

Author note: As of this article not word one from the current White House on the attack by Hezbollah.