Calling out to Kamala; a Rabbi’s plea

Dear Vice President Harris,

I’m with you. In so many ways, I’m with you. I’m writing now to ask if you’re with me.

At the end of July, I was on a campaign call for Florida faith leaders who support you. I was so excited and inspired to get out the vote.

At the same time, almost every conversation I had with others made it clear that many believed that as Jews and Zionists, they couldn’t vote for you.

Wanting to help the Jewish community understand that the American-Israeli relationship was safe under your stewardship, I developed five basic statements that I hoped your campaign or the Democratic party could formally agree with. My intent was not to challenge you. Many assured me that they believed these statements to be accurate. I reached out, longing to have something to share with others.

The five statements are:

As president, you will advocate that only an agreement that accounts for Israel’s continued safety and the return of all remaining Israeli hostages can lead to a genuine ceasefire.
As president, you will help democratic leaders understand that supporting Israel and caring about Palestinians are NOT mutually exclusive positions.
As president, you will publicly state Hamas’ barbaric brutality on October 7th was indefensible, and there is nothing but condemnation for those who encourage more terror by calling for “Globalizing the Intifada.”
As president, you will take seriously the need to combat not only growing antisemitism but also bigotry and hate-based antizionism throughout the nation – especially on college campuses and in party leadership.
As president, you will be vocal that Israel is America’s ally, and you will do everything you can to ensure America supports Israel in fighting off the various Iranian-backed threats and attacks she currently faces from all of Iran’s terrorist proxies.

What do you think???

For nearly a month now, I’ve been given the runaround, essential talking points, and individual hopes and beliefs – but no one has been able to confirm that these five statements are factual.

While I disagree with anyone who asserts that your presidency would necessarily be bad for Israel, I also fervently disagree with those who are telling the Jewish community we have nothing at all to worry about. We do. We will all worry until you go on record with clear statements that define your beliefs and approaches.

And now, as we watch the DNC and hear the growing antisemitic and anti-Israel language and leanings in our party – we need more than ever to hear from you. We want to be with you, so please clarify if you are with us. PLEASE clearly agree to or deny these statements and let us know where you stand.

I know you can find Jewish people who would rather hear you condemn Israel, but let’s be clear – they are not representative of the community. They are outliers. The vast majority of American Jews are Zionists. The vast majority of American Jews are hoping and waiting for you to publicly make it known that these are your feelings and positions.

This is what we need to hear from you.

I’m not, in even the slightest, considering voting for Trump. A vote for the Trump/Vance ticket would be a vote against my own health care rights, a vote against my Transdaughter’s safety and care, a vote against all of the kids in our nation who fear being gunned down by firearms, and so much more. I’m not voting for Trump.

Still – I need to know if a vote for you puts American support for Israel’s right to exist and defend herself in jeopardy. I need to know if a vote for you makes American Jews less safe.

We want to stop worrying, to fully have your back, to vocally and financially support your campaign, and to SHOW UP and vote, so please help us do that. Tell us where you stand. Tell the whole Democratic party where you stand. If these statements aren’t factual, what is? Please tell us something.

I am with you; please let me know you are with me.

Warmly,

Rabbi Samantha Kahn