Votes not Violence: Confronting the Toxicity of our Political Culture

This weekend, our nation saw the horrors of political violence unfold in a field in rural Pennsylvania. Corey Comperatore was murdered while protecting his family, two other rally-goers were critically injured, and former President Trump came within a hair's breadth of assassination. We pray for a refuah shlema, healing of the injured, and comfort for the bereaved.

In this terrible moment, we welcome the comments from leaders who have spoken clearly about the need to dial down the intensity of political rhetoric, including from those within their own party and their followers. And whether we are public figures or not, each of us has a role to play in tamping down the toxicity of our political culture. We can use the power of relationships with family, friends, and even those we connect with over social media to make sure the language we are using lifts people up rather than tears them down.

This tragedy also reminds us that political disagreements should be expressed through voting, not violence. Indeed, it is more important than ever that everyone has an opportunity to vote and have their vote counted in the November 2024 election. Through Every Voice, Every Vote: The Reform Movement's Campaign to Protect, Expand and Strengthen Democracy, we are sending postcards to voters in communities impacted by barriers to voting and organizing RAC Circles (linked groups of changemakers coming together to protect democracy). All this work is nonpartisan and grounded in our enduring Jewish values.

As we do this holy work, we can also strive to reduce the prevalence of guns that make acts of violence, political or otherwise, so terribly deadly. Common sense measures such as banning assault weapons, requiring safe storage, and strengthening the background check system can together be effective in keeping all of us safe. This week, the RAC renewed our efforts to urge Congress to support the Assault Weapons Ban. In May, members of RAC-PA lobbied elected officials in Harrisburg to advance gun safety bills in Pennsylvania. While the legislation failed to pass, these incidents of senseless violence remind us why our continued advocacy is so important.

There is a Jewish teaching that seeks to answer the question, "When should we begin our communal morning prayers?" The sages tell us that we begin when there is enough light to recognize a neighbor at a certain distance. In their view, our day should not begin until we see the humanity of another person. And as we gather in groups of ten or more to offer our prayers, we reinforce each morning the ties that bind us to one another and the community at large.

The next few months will challenge us individually and collectively. Let us engage deeply and meaningfully in this election season (including through Every Voice, Every Vote) not by denigrating the humanity of others, but by championing the values we want to see reflected across the country.

The Every Voice, Every Vote campaign is made possible in part by the Leo and Libby Nevas Family Foundation.