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.
Although I am not from the Chabad/Lubavitch community I feel it is necessary for me to comment here– I hold alot of respect and gratitude to Chabad. I am a Jew who was born amid religious dispute and turmoil, having a confused upbringing. In my darkest times there always seemed to be a Lubavitcher around to remind me of who I am, to encourage me to seek Hashem. To this day I have very close friends in the Chabad community. Of course, we must vote to express our concerns for the well being of our communities and of our country, all we can do is hope for the best. In tumultuous times this can be difficult to navigate, not everything is so simple…politics is a Rubick’s cube, so we vote hoping we’ve made the best decision with all thing s considered. That being said, When I go to shul, I want to exclaim Baruch Hashem, not Baruch [insert politician]. In the end we know that that Hashem is One and Hashem will bring peace and harmony to this world (we acknowledge this in our daily prayers). Squabbling about politics can get toxic at the drop of a hat. I ve seen recent political heat tear apart families! So yes, we vote, and we hope. Otherwise I believe our primary focus of discussion in our communities , especially in Shul, should be focused on Hashem, Torah, unity, harmony. So I agree with the author’s (“shaliach in a smalltown’s) statement, wholeheartedly. Neutrality in our sacred space keeps our sacred space safe.
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.
You’re writing as if one candidate hates Israel and the other candidate consistently loves and supports it, which isn’t true. I’m genuinely asking this question with respect — but have you even been listening to speeches by and policies from Trump, Biden, and Kamala, or are you just agreeing with what friends in your inner circle say? Following the actual facts matters.
Biden and Kamala have been clear (numerous times) about their support for Israel. Biden has attempted to negotiate multiple hostage deals and recently negotiated a successful ceasefire. He has donated millions in aid to Israel since the war’s start. Meanwhile, Trump has openly expressed his admiration of a certain German politician who was infamous for hating Jews. He has also played upon antisemitic tropes in the past, such as when he said that he wants all of his bankers to be Jewish. He also stopped talking to Benjamin Netanyahu when he congratulated Biden on his win in 2020. Someone who is as objectively unstable and unintelligent as Trump isn’t good for Israel or anywhere else.
By the way, the US doesn’t control what happens in Israel. The Israeli government does. It is not our responsibility to govern Israel. Basing your vote on a single issue seems incredibly irresponsible and poorly thought out. Not to mention the fact that you seem to be misled and misinformed on a variety of facts relating to the topic.