By Vera Borukhov
There is an urgency today in our community to play an active role in electing local political leaders. A lot of outreach and events are being scheduled to help people to become registered voters.
This past week from June 29th to July 4th, I personally reached nearly 500 people through group chats, private messages and phone calls. My goal is to create urgency in our community so that every one of us is a registered voter. We have been going to shuls and asking Rabbis to allow us to come into their shuls and register members. Where there have also been challah parties and other gatherings, we also went to register people.
This initiative is now growing where there are many voter registration events taking place. Businesses are also posting flyers with QR codes that allow people to register to vote. And finally, Rabbis are coming together to make videos to urge people to register to vote. This is not just for the election in November. This is a movement to encourage our community to become active voters and active participants in the election process of our local leaders who have a direct impact on our lives.
Although the process of registering to vote is very simple, people are very complex individuals. Despite all the urgency, many are still very hesitant to become registered voters and need education and understanding on how voting actually matters and makes a difference.
Firstly, we cannot just let life happen to us! We have to take charge and help ourselves! We have such privileges living in the United States of America and we must actively take advantage of that.
Some say, “Well, what about God? Doesn’t Hashem run the world?” Of course!
There is also this idea of how we can change our mazal by playing an active role in our life. As the saying goes, “God helps those who help themselves.”
Some additional misbeliefs that arise as follows. Let’s address each one by one:
Common Misbelief:
The whole voting system is rigged. There is no need to vote. It’s all Hashem’s decision.
The Truth:
The system is legitimate and safe. There is an absolute need to vote because we, the people, must play an active role in our life. Yes, at the end of the day Hashem decides and the results of our efforts are not for us to control. However, we must put in our effort and do the work. We control the effort. Hashem decides the results and that’s how it is. There is also no evidence of the voting system being rigged. Yes, Trump claimed that back in 2020, however, there is no evidence presented, and Trump was legitimately elected in 2024. So, if you feel like it’s all a lie, but you have no evidence to back it up, then your feelings aren’t facts and are no longer valid.
Common Misbelief:
My vote will make no difference. It doesn’t matter.
The Truth:
Local elections are decided by a handful of votes. One vote can make a difference between 49 votes versus 50 votes. And the one with the 50 votes wins. Every vote counts. Every vote makes a difference. And collectively, when all votes are coming together it makes a difference. A big difference. There is no evidence to prove that the vote makes no difference. If you have no evidence to tell me that the vote makes no difference, then that opinion becomes invalid. Now go out and register yourself and go vote!
What now?
Register to vote! Talk to your friends and family members and encourage them to do the same thing. Help others and be part of this movement to help our community members become active voters!
Go vote as if your life depends on it, because it does!
Vera Borukhov is a Literacy Specialist & Founder of Sparkbrain Learning, an organization dedicated to empowering young minds through expert, compassionate tutoring with a strong focus on reading comprehension development. She may be reached at 718-790-8911.