Open Letter To Candidates Running For Office: You Want Our Vote? Be Truthful

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storobin-fidler1My name is Moshe Binom. I am writing to share some of my thoughts on the disgusting recent decline of the political system in our communities. Before I begin, I am a lifelong resident of Borough Park. I am writing as a casual observer. I am not an Askon, community leader nor am I qualified to make an endorsement in any political race. This should serve as a lesson for us and those seeking our votes.

One of the things that make me crazy in politics is pandering. Even worse, blatant lies. This past erev Shabbos, I saw an ad depicting NYC Councilman Lew Fidler as “Lazer Fidler the charidesha candidate for NYS Senate”. Earlier in the day, I saw that Councilman Fidler described himself as a “Bacon and eggs kind of Jew.” He then went on to say that Dov Hikind has a monolithic view of Jews.

From a “Bacon and Eggs kind of Jew” to Lazer Fidler the charidesha candidate for NYS Senate? Wow, even Barack Obama would have a hard time wiggling out of that one. I, for one, have no issue with your level of observance to serve our communities. I don’t believe that you have to have our hashkafah in order to represent us. What I do believe you need, is our trust. We have to trust that you appreciate our storied values and way of life. We demand that you don’t insult our intelligence.

If you are inclined to support same gender marriage, say so. I certainly respect your views.  If you consider yourself a conservative Jew, that’s also fine. If you were presented awards from groups advocating for marriage equality, congratulations. But don’t call yourself the charidesha candidate and have a oversized yarmulka slapped onto your head in middle of a press conference surrounded by our leaders.

I don’t mean for this to be slamming Lew Fidler. He has put out deceptive ads and I feel he should be called out on it. To place an ad claiming that we will receive $5,000 tax detections for Yeshiva is nothing short of pulling at our emotional heart strings. This can never be accomplished. This is a time where the State in cutting like never before. To think that a freshman Senator in the minority party that is serving six months of a term can get this done is dreaming. The fact that TAP passed was a major miracle. Ask anybody in Albany if this has a chance. This is another example of our community being played for fools.

On the other side of this race is David Storobin. Much has been made of him being frum or not. I only found one reference in an op-ed claiming that he is frum. He certainly never claimed to be frum. One thing that is clear is he is a chozer betshuva and should be treated as such. We should respect his core convictions and quest for the truth. The only thing I ever heard him defending was that he is not a neo nazi and that he doesn’t have ties to them.

I don’t think we should have a litmus test to know whether we will support a candidate or not. It should not matter if one is in sync with us all across the board. As orthodox Jews we are a minority of a minority. What we should stand up for is honesty. We should demand of those seeking our votes to tell us who they really are. Only once we know the person, can we debate the issues and values, and cast our votes.

The thoughts in this article are those of my own. They in no way reflect the views of anybody associated with me or the media where it appears.


12 COMMENTS

  1. to the editor of the above letter
    YOU i vote for i.e. someone that puts honesty as his #1 priority

    BE HONEST & be gauranteed success from Hashem or C”V BE corrupt & bring destruction upon yourself. the choice is yours.

  2. Those are who can allow themselves to go against storobin(with all his manifold faults),are causing me to consider to daven only in select locations.

  3. Voters need to educate themselves about the candidates and issues and not rely on bought-and- paid-for ads and articles. To know if someone really endorsed a candidate, check with the endorser directly. Endorsements mean more, of course, if the endorser really knows the candidate.

  4. Mr. Binom, you are full of it! You see, it’s idiot’s like you who aren’t even registered to vote – because maybe you’ll be called for jury duty. aah, to bad. Good thing morons like you don’t vote! Don’t lecture us please!

  5. I agree! I always vote – every election, because I’m an American and it’s acivic duty to vote! But this time I’m disgusted! Why can’t we have ca ndidates who discuss the issues? Why must we be subjected to nasty campaigns filled with lies and deception! Have we stooped so low that we’re not worthy of being told the truth?
    Shameful campaign!

  6. how many of you fools are even n the district in the 63rd at 8:15 i was number8 we talk talk talk but NEVER come out TO VOTE and as for the asuthor you are full of it

  7. #5- if you disagree with something or someone- just respectfully disagree or stay silent. I hope you are NOT in chinuch- if you are, I pitty your students. If you have family- I pitty them as well. You seem to be a very angry person. CHILL OUT or seek help!

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