L’Taken Teens Inspire Us to Fight for Voting Rights for All

Last month, four L’Taken participants from Temple Emanuel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey spoke to their Members of Congress about their passion for voting rights. Brett Eisenberg, Victoria Kalbacher, Daniel Susson and Julie Benbassat spoke eloquently about our democracy and our duty as citizens to protect it. As we wait for the re-introduction of the Voting Rights Amendment Act, we must remember that there is still so much to be done to ensure free and fair elections. Next month, a number of RAC staff members will travel to Selma, Alabama to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday. As we remember this important and tragic moment in our history, we must rededicate ourselves to the fight for voting rights. The students’ speech is excerpted below:

“… We traveled four hours because we are as passionate about democracy as you are. Because we see what makes democracy so incredible, each American citizen promised a voice in what occurs in our nation. That every voice is heard and every opinion respected without bias. At least, that’s what was promised when the Fifteenth Amendment was adopted into the United States Constitution. The Fifteenth Amendment was considered radical for the simple fact that it was the first legal decree which allowed other Americans who weren’t rich white men to vote in elections. But it’s part of the American spirit to find crafty ways to circumvent disagreeable legislation. And so edicts such as the Jim Crow Laws, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests began to appear at polls as a sort of preliminary round of survival of the fittest. Adopting a modern, free thinking state of mind, these obstacles to political freedom seem absurd and in some respects obsolete. However, democracy is still hindered in many parts of our nation, and Jim Crow tactics are still being employed against people of color, women, and impoverished communities. The working class sometimes loses the opportunity to vote as poll booths are open primarily during work hours… Identification requirements hinder those who may not have the financial ability to obtain a government issued picture identification. Without acknowledging the impact of our actions, we are significantly reducing the eligible voting pool and thus destroying the idea of democracy right here in our own nation. As Reform Jews and American citizens, we believe that the right to vote is unalienable. Both the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act were drafted in the offices of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism here in Washington, D.C. Jewish values resonate with the belief that every individual should have a voice… Reform Judaism reminds us of the importance of having the whole community involved in the voting process.  Al tifrosh min hatzibur, “do not separate yourself from the community” (Pikrkei Avot 2:4).  Wherever there are laws in place that restrict suffrage, voters are detached from elections.  Our values teach us to make sure our leaders are voted in by the people, and stand for the people. Voting gives the average American citizen the power to use their voice to make a change. The way we are taught in school emphasizes that voting is the one sacred right all Americans have as citizens. In the past year I was able to utilize this right in the primary elections. Honestly, when I voted, I felt like I was experiencing the adult world for the first time while also solidifying my American identity. However, when my friends around me started to turn eighteen, they were not as enthusiastic as I was. Particularly, my friends Sumayyah and Hannah both expressed apathy to the whole voting process. Sumayyah, coming from a hardworking African American father and Hannah, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, had both hardened their opinions on voting, stating that the country was not interested in their opinions. These conversations opened my eyes to the blatant discrimination and adversity minorities face in order to fulfill their own revered American right. We live in a town called Cherry Hill, a twenty minute drive from the city of Camden. Our Rabbi works with an interfaith coalition in Camden, and has observed the substantial lack of voter presence each election due the prevalent belief that their voice will not make an impact in our state. If my friends who live in a place like Cherry Hill feel despondency towards the election process, imagine how citizens in Camden must view democracy. Therefore, when I vote next election, I want to know that I live in a state where all of my friends and their families feel comfortable expressing their opinions openly. I want to vote in a state where I know my politicians care about me and my friends. Thus, I want to know that you will listen to our plea today.”

We look forward to the reintroduction of the Voting Rights Amendment Act which, among other things, would create a new preclearance formula that would replace the one that was struck down, make it easier for courts to subject jurisdictions to preclearance and require communities to notify the public when making changes to voting procedures. For more information about our work on civil rights in general, check out our website and be sure to urge Congress to restore voting rights!