From the Anash.org Inbox: I’m writing to you as a younger Shliach in a small town, or rather, a big town or small city in middle America. In the current political divide, we must strive to maintain Chabad’s neutrality, ensuring our focus remains on bringing Yidden Closer to Hashem.
Dear fellow Chosid,
I’m writing to you as a younger Shliach in a small town, or rather, a big town or small city in middle America. Our town, like many others outside major cities, has been flooded with city people seeking affordable living, becoming a bedroom community for a large city. This dynamic creates a sharp political divide, with local residents leaning right-wing and city transplants leaning left-wing.
Navigating passionate opinions is challenging. At our Chabad, we maintain peace with a simple rule: “No politics at Chabad!” When necessary, I share the Rebbe’s perspective on issues like Shleimus Ha’retz, even if it means losing some attendees temporarily.
A fellow Shliach recently shared. One of his closest Mikuravim, whom he had married and mentored, cut ties after discovering the Orthodox Jewish community, including Crown Heights, largely supported Trump. This fellow clearly has some issues and I’m not trying to hint that you shouldn’t vote rather this incident highlights our responsibility. As the Rebbe taught, every Yid is a Shliach, and as Lubavitcher Chassidim, we must be mindful of our influence.
Our small Chabad house communities look up to us. They watch us like a hawk. When controversy erupts, they turn to us for guidance.
If President Biden or any other prominent figure were to visit the Ohel, I would feel the same way. We shouldn’t come out to be seen as Chabad having a political opinion. There’s a fine line between censorship and what I’m conveying here. We should strive to maintain our organization’s neutrality, ensuring our focus remains on bringing Yidden Closer to Hashem.
Let’s have sensitivity with what we share on social media and especially for those who may get interviewed by news outlets. They will try to create a narrative that ‘Chabad votes for Trump’ or ‘Chabad supports Trump.’ This headline will directly chase many Jewish people away from their Chabad Houses!
May we all have a Gmar Chasima Tova!
Best regards,
Shliach in Small town
You write “the Orthodox Jewish community, including Crown Heights, largely supported Trump” yet your message seems to shun that thought.
If you want to say “Chabad is neutral. We don’t endorse any party.” go ahead.
But saying Chabad votes for Kamala? That will change away many more people.
All the writer said was to avoid taking sides. ANY sides.
Give me a break, it comes a time where you have to say ad kan. As a shliach not to want to publicly support Trump at your chabad house ok I get it. But that chabad shouldn’t be able to be openly support and be pro the pro Jewish pro Israel Candidate??
How about an ounce of hakaras hatov for what he’s done for the yiddin? Is that not on your ideals meter? How about openly supporting Torahs view on Israel, if that chases away yiddin shouldn’t we stop doing that as well?
The issues are a matter of sekana nefoshos mamish for our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel. When it comes to sekana, we cannot be neutral.
The Rebbe instructed over all the years that Chabad does not get involved in politics. Of course we need to vote, but that doesn’t mean speaking about it.
In fact, speaking about it usually has very little effect – other than getting people upset.
The state of Israel is an independent country that makes their own decisions.
The current security situation is solely based on the current policies in the Israeli government.
Voting either candidate in America will have little affect on the overall security situation in Israel.
True!
You can’t have it both ways; if you care about Israel and have a specific opinion on how it should be governed, then US elections undoubtedly matter. The less pressure Israel faces from the USA, the easier it becomes for it to navigate challenges, including avoiding serious boycotts. Believing that Israel should and can withstand pressure doesn’t mean we shouldn’t attempt to alleviate it. Moreover, concerning Iran, which requires economic sanctions to be weakened, such actions cannot be undertaken by Israel alone; it necessitates US leadership. The hypocrisy of some within Chabad who insist that Israel endure extreme pressure yet cannot themselves take a stand in US politics that would significantly aid Israel—even if it requires some sacrifice—is intolerable.
Your Chabad house is מאד נחמד.
But in the internet age, it’s not going to help to try to shelter your mekurovim.
Kamala Harris is a serious disaster and it’s a stretch to ask Lubavitch community to not join the rest of orthodox jewry in supporting Trump.
This is a classic example of confusing Torah instructions with goyishe practice.
We are instructed by Torah to promote what is best for Yiddishkeit and Eretz Yisroel and we therefore vote. That doesn’t mean that we become partisans of any one side.
No Lubavitcher chossid – no matter how much he loves Yidden and Eretz Yisroel – would have put a yard sign promoting a politician.
Lubavitch is apolitical.
The Rebbe said to vote about how the person will be with the sheva mitzvos. The Democratic Party platform backs abortions for any reason and recognizes and promotes the government’s actions on immoral behavior. No democrat should be voted for. Not because of Israel but because of the sheva mitzvos. The Democratic Party should be aborted.