These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the Jewish future, both here in Teaneck and beyond. Maybe you do, too. We can’t help but notice that things have changed around here since October 7, and many of us have been compelled to become more aware of local politics. Sometimes that can be frustrating, but I firmly believe that getting more involved and using our collective voice will bring back a state of tranquility to our town.
One of the most effective ways to be heard is also one of the simplest: Register to vote, make sure your voting address is current, and exercise your right to vote in each and every election. Ensuring our local government represents our interests and reflects our values is the quickest path to restoring the calm and – dare I say it? – boring town we all chose.
Recent events that have disturbed our community stem from local politics. For example, the March 10 pro-Hamas protest outside Keter Torah emerged from the February 17 town council meeting. One of our Teaneck town councilwomen endorsed the hateful, inaccurate speech that went viral on social media, and when confronted with dozens of her constituents sharing their horror at what happened at the protest and her part in it, that same town councilwoman reacted with scorn. “Asking question[s] regarding things happening in our town is a part of my job,” she huffed. She did not denounce the hate march, instead vaguely condemning “all hatred.” If a local leader cannot explicitly condemn antisemitism and hate when it marches down our town’s main streets, how can we trust that she represents us on any other issue?
Institutional hostility to Teaneck’s Jews unfortunately extends elsewhere in local government. A recent example comes from Teaneck High School, where the newly formed Palestine Club held its inaugural event, at which they disseminated a handout containing lies and prejudicial, misleading half-truths, as well as offensive distortions. “Who are the Palestinians?” the flyer asks. “The Palestinian people consist of Muslims, Christians and Jews. They are a diverse people with rich culture and history….Why should you care about Palestine? Our tax dollars are helping fund the genocide of the innocent Palestinian people including women and children.”
Like any other school club, the Palestine Club has a faculty advisor, and therefore should have some adult oversight. Minimally, any materials that are distributed should be accurate. That advisor, however, spoke at the Board of Education meeting on May 2, and doubled down on her views, saying, “Students and I have expressed feeling unsafe…around genocide deniers. What is this school district doing to ensure our safety against violent white supremacist ideology?…Let us know if we will continue to face undue scrutiny and censorship, and we will respond accordingly…Free Palestine.” A school board with responsible leadership would hear this speech, note the propaganda in the handout, and make appropriate personnel decisions. Instead, several members of the board ignored her statement and accused the community members who complained about the handout of “attacking the kids.”
The BOE trustees are right about one thing: the problem is not with “the kids.” The problem is with the adults who fail to do their jobs, and that is where we, the electorate, come in. Board of Education trustees are elected officials. Three of them are up this November. It is incumbent upon all of us to show up for that election and VOTE.
The next election is the primary on June 4. On your ballot will be your party’s presidential, congressional, and local political party candidates. Many of these races will be unopposed. Why, then, is it so critical for the Jewish community to show up in force and vote?
First, many districts contain contested races for the Teaneck Democratic Municipal Committee. BCJAC is endorsing select candidates in that race, and next week’s Link will contain a comprehensive discussion of what this committee is, why it matters, and our endorsements. Second, politicians notice who comes out to vote, and a community with a high rate of participation in the primary (regardless of party affiliation) is a community whose concerns will be addressed. For example, if the BOE trustees know our community does not vote, they will be much less worried about being held accountable. But if they know we are watching, we disapprove of their behavior – and we vote – there is a real chance that things can improve. Turnout in uncontested primaries is usually very low, so this is an excellent opportunity for our community to raise its voice. We must not squander it.
One post-October 7 blessing has been meeting allies and friends from across Teaneck’s different subcommunities who have stood with Teaneck’s Jews, and I personally appreciate each and every one of them, as do we all. Further, we are extremely lucky that we already have many leaders in local government who truly care about every Teaneck resident, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. It’s time that all of them meet that basic standard.
Early voting will take place from Wednesday, May 29 through Sunday, June 2 at the Rodda Center, or you can vote on Primary Day at your polling place on June 4. People affiliated with either party may vote, or unaffiliated voters may declare their affiliation by voting in the primary.
See you at the polls!
Emma Horowitz is the president of the Bergen County Jewish Action Committee and lives in Teaneck with her wonderful family. She is an English teacher at Ma’ayanot and is equally happy talking about politics, literature and her dog.
