3 minute read
TJH Speaks with Congresswoman Kathleen Rice 7
Dear Readers,
Wherever you’ve been living over the past few months – even if it’s under a rock – you know that November 3 is going to be a pivotal day in our nation’s history.
Some view politics like sports. They enjoy the back-and-forth, the intense dialogues about their candidates, rooting for their “players,” the passionate predictions, and the dreams of victory.
But politics is not a game. And many of us saw that and felt that this year.
We were – and are – at the mercy of our officials. We are told how many people can come into our stores, whether or not we can shop or eat in restaurants, if our children can go to school, how many people can come to our weddings, and if we can pray in our shuls or not. It’s a disconcerting feeling to not have the basic freedoms we have come to take for granted living in the United States. And it’s not a good feeling being controlled by those living in ivory towers in Albany or in Washington.
I’m a big proponent of voting. I vote in every election and urge my friends and family to do so as well.
I always thought that people refrain from voting because they don’t have time to vote on Election Day. Maybe they’re busy or they’re not feeling well or they have to run home to eat supper. But just this week, I met three different people – on different occasions – who told me that they weren’t registered to vote. I was shocked. Voting is a right and a privilege. Why throw that beautiful gift away? Do you see yourself as a mere pawn in someone else’s game or are you someone who wants to be king of their own castle? It’s time to get into the game.
It’s incumbent on all of us to be informed and active citizens. Why live in a country where you’re dictated to by politicians’ whims? Why not be involved in the process? Why not be a part of your country’s – and your – future?
Voting takes just a few minutes, but those few minutes reverberate for generations.
On a local level, the politicians who govern our villages and cities and states are responsible for our quality of life on so many levels. Whether our garbage is taken care of, our streets are plowed after a storm, our potholes are filled, our taxes are increased, criminals roam the streets – these are all things that our representatives should be taking care of.
On a national level, well, I shouldn’t have to tell you how a president affects our daily lives. The person sitting in the Oval Office is there to make alliances, implement policy, protect our lives. He’s our representative on the world stage and makes decisions that either raise or diminish the United States’ position on the world stage.
Election Day is (finally!) here. I, for one, am voting early this year. Whether you take advantage of early voting, or you head to the ballot box on Election Day, make sure that your voice is heard.
Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana
Weekly Weather | October 30 – November 5
30 31 1 2
3 4 5
Yitzy Halpern PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com Yosef Feinerman MANAGING EDITOR ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com Shoshana Soroka EDITOR editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com
Nate Davis Editorial Assistant
Nechama Wein Copy Editor Rachel Bergida Berish Edelman Mati Jacobovits Design & Production
Gabe Solomon Distribution & Logistics
P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857
Classified Deadline: Monday 5:00PM classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003
PAYMENT VIA CREDIT CARD MUST BE SUBMITTED ALONG WITH CLASSIFIED ADS
The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.
Shabbos Zemanim
Friday, October 30 Parshas Lech Lecha Candle Lighting: 5:35 pm Shabbos Ends: 6:34 pm Rabbeinu Tam: 7:04 pm
Showers / Wind
46° 34°
Sunny
47° 44°
PM Showers
59° 38°
Partly Cloudy / Wind 45° 33°
Partly Cloudy 48° 41°
Sunny
57° 47°
Sunny
