The People Have Spoken

To live in a democracy is a profound gift. Our right to vote, to have a voice in who leads our nation, is too precious to be taken lightly or cast aside in frustration. The people have spoken, and while some celebrate, many of us feel deep disappointment—even heartbreak. We may fear for the future, questioning how the values we hold so dear will endure. 

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I have spent a lot of time thinking about the divisions in our country and the emotional upheaval that so many feel since election day. This election period has been an arduous one that has created high emotion and, in too many cases, sharp divisions. Some have lost friends, or lost trust or respect for family members. It’s easy to feel anger in times like these. Anger can be a natural response to what we perceive as injustice. However, while anger is understandable, we must not allow it to consume us, or cloud our purpose. 

What, then, is an appropriate Jewish response to the bitterness that so many feel in the wake of this election decision?

Judaism teaches us that it is not only our privilege but our duty to participate in repairing the world—to continue working toward justice, equality, and kindness no matter the political climate. The Jewish call to Tikkun Olam is an unending invitation to see the good we can create, even when times seem dark.

I would ask that now more than ever, you consider putting your energies into the responsibility of building a just world, of working toward the future we envision, and embracing the truth that our future does not rest on the outcome of any single election. 

What does this look like in practice? How do we live these values and go forward with purpose?

Embrace Change as an Opportunity

Change is rarely easy, but it is part of life’s rhythm. Change offers us new paths to explore and pushes us to become more resilient, more connected, and more determined. Just as we are called to make the world a better place, let us look for the opportunities where we can effect change on a local level—in our communities, our neighborhoods, and within our own hearts. 

Seek Connection and Community

Now is the time to reach out, to knock on a door, or say hello to a stranger. Seek out those who may be hurting or fearful, those who may feel isolated or unheard. Love your neighbor as yourself—this commandment is not a passive one. It calls us to actively pursue empathy, to break down barriers, and to stand together even when we disagree.

Stand Against Injustice—Without Hatred

There will always be evil in the world, and we must stand against it. But we must do so without letting hatred poison our resolve.

As a young rabbi in the 1960s, I was profoundly impacted by the Civil Rights Movement. My eyes were opened to the responsibility that I felt to lend my voice to see justice done.

One of the issues that has bothered me greatly during the recent election period is that some people decided that they would not vote. They chose to stay home because they did not feel that either presidential candidate “deserved” their vote, or that neither stood for policies that truly mattered to them.

When I was a young man, the right to vote, and deciding who might vote, was a hotly debated topic and a pillar in the Civil Rights Movement. The experiences that I had in joining the March on Washington and in standing shoulder to shoulder with those whose lives were changing, filled me with hope and inspiration, and forever shaped my path as a rabbi. I remember the power of peaceful resistance, of love in the face of anger, and of unwavering commitment to justice.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had this to say about the right to vote, and the responsibility of voting in his Give Us the Ballot speech of 1957.

"So long as I do not firmly and irrevocably possess the right to vote, I do not possess myself. I cannot make up my mind—it is made up for me. I cannot live as a democratic citizen, observing the laws I have helped to enact—I can only submit to the edict of others."

—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Photo by https://unsplash.com/@timmossholder

Find Your Cause and Contribute

Let us carry forward this tradition of standing up for what is right, protecting our communities, and refusing to let anger or violence steer our course. The process of going through an election does not end our work or our purpose; it begins anew. This is the time to reflect on what matters most to us and find ways to make a difference. Whether it’s fighting for social justice, volunteering, or simply being a supportive presence for others, we each have something valuable to give. Find your cause. Take action. Become part of something that brings people together and builds the future we want to see. 

As I write this, my mind is flooded with memories of my dear wife Myra z”l, and the tremendous joy that she had in working on The Giving Tree of Temple Beth El, an organization she created more than 35 years ago that has found a permanent role in changing lives in our community. I think of how quickly Myra would be to welcome new volunteers today to involve them in this meaningful and valuable work as a way of finding brighter days through purpose and commitment to community.

The mission is simple, and always has been. Myra wanted to bring a brighter Christmas to families with little means—to bring presents and holiday foods and joy with the help of donations and volunteers from Temple Beth El members and beyond. As many of you know, she devoted decades of her life to meeting that need and to inspiring others to join her in the growth of The Giving Tree. You can learn more about their work, and how to help, here: https://thegivingtreeboca.org/

Myra is no longer with us, but the need is ever greater. It is my hope that those seeking the comfort of community would be drawn to supporting this work.

As we move forward, let us remember the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah’s call is clear—our duty does not wane with disappointment or hardship; instead, it becomes all the more essential. In these challenging times, may we heed his wisdom by working toward a just, compassionate world, strengthened by hope and guided by faith. Let us be unwavering in our commitment to healing and rebuilding, with courage to rise above despair and light the way forward for ourselves and generations to come.