Shaare Zion, the largest Sephardi shul in Brooklyn, has announced that proof of voter registration will now be required for members and their spouses to reserve seats for Yomim Noraim — a groundbreaking policy believed to be the first of its kind in the frum community.
The announcement comes two months before New York City voters head to the polls to elect a new mayor. In a letter to members, the shul’s executive committee expressed concern that the outcome of the election could have major implications for the safety and quality of life of Jewish communities across the city.
“As a result, we have no choice but to require that all of our members and their spouses provide proof of voter registration prior to securing their High Holiday seats,” the letter states.
The committee emphasized that while Yidden ultimately rely on Hashem for protection, hishtadlus is essential. The letter encouraged all eligible members to register to vote, providing a city registration link for convenience.
“While we daven and rely on Hashem for the safety of our community, we believe we must put in our best effort to try to avoid a very serious danger that can affect all of us,” the committee wrote.
The decision is being praised as a revolutionary step that could serve as a model for other kehillos, inspiring greater engagement and achrayus in elections that directly impact the future of Jewish life in the city.
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10 Responses
Shaare Zion is not only the largest Sephardic shul in Brooklyn, it’s larger than Young Israel of N. Woodmere, as well as larger than the Boca Raton Synagogue which makes it the largest Orthodox Shul in North America
Way to go!
Great. But who do I vote for?? No way I could get myself to vote for Cuomo after what he did to us.
We also need a horse in the rase. Does Sliwa even stand a chance?
With both Adams and Cuomo insisting on remaining in the race its basically a foregone conclusion that Mandami is going to win, so its surprising that there are those in the frum community who view voting in this election as being of utmost importance when in reality its pointless.
I’m torn about this.
On the one side it’s a great idea to push more people to vote.
But at the same time I wonder if this isn’t an overreach by the Shul. I guess it comes down to, “What is the role of a Shul in a person’s life?”
Is a Shul supposed to be “Cradle to Grave” or is a Shul just a place that meets my Davening needs?
I don’t disagree with the motivation, but think this may be illegal under NY law – which prohibits any inducement to vote for a particular candidate, to vote in general, or even to register to vote.
an Israeli Yid
What is the sense of making sure the congregants are registered to vote. There are a few issues. 1) How do they know if their members will vote even if they are registered? 2) How do they know who their members will vote for since elections are a secret ballot? What if their members vote for the candidate of their choice and not the synagogues choice; 3) What ever happened to separation of “church & state”. The synagogue is denying their members a chance to come to shul on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur if they don’t register to vote giving them the opportunity to go elsewhere and the synagogue might lose membership and finances.
Kol haKavod. All NYC Shuls should do so as well as all Yeshivas and girls’s schools for students 18 and above.
Another election, and another meltdown in the community how the world is coming to an end.
Very nice but it’s too little too late. Even if every Jew in town went to vote, it’s divided between three candidates on one side versus the idiot. That kind of divide can’t bring a success. We will all vote and still watch him win anyway, really terrible I would suggest you sell your house