As the national director of Jewish Voters Unite, I’ve had the privilege of engaging Jewish communities near and far. But what’s happening right now in New Jersey is something extraordinary—and urgent. With antisemitism on the rise and questions about the safety of our communities increasingly top of mind, we are not waiting for someone else to solve the problem. We’re doing something about it. We’re organizing. We’re innovating. And, most importantly, we’re voting.

Let me be clear: What we are building in New Jersey is unprecedented. For far too long, Jewish voter participation—especially in local elections—has not matched the strength and passion of our community’s voice. That changes now. Our campaign in the Garden State is combining new-school strategy with old-school organizing to do something that’s never been done before: building a broad grassroots Jewish voter movement in a local election year.

We are using every tool in the civic toolbox. That means state-of-the-art voter centers in key Jewish neighborhoods—real hubs where people can get information, pick up materials, meet their neighbors and take action. That means trained field staff supporting canvassing operations across Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Middlesex and beyond. And it means integrating cutting-edge technology—real-time voter outreach data, interactive texting campaigns and digital storytelling platforms—to track engagement and get out the vote more effectively than ever before.

But no amount of tech or strategy can replace the human spirit driving this effort: our volunteers. This movement is not being run out of a Manhattan office or a Washington war room. It’s being run from canvassing in front of kosher restaurants in Teaneck, Jewish shopping centers in Passaic, and our voter center in Englewood. Volunteers are the heart of Jewish Voters Unite. People of all ages—from high school students to bubbies and zaydes—are stepping up to lead.

Our campaign slogan says it all: Stop Kvetching. Start Voting. We know the stakes are high. Rising antisemitism is no longer an abstract concern—it’s an everyday reality. From swastikas found in schools to online harassment, from bomb threats to physical attacks, we see how hatred manifests. But we also know that despair is not a strategy. Kvetching won’t fix it. But organizing and voting? That will.

Voting is our communal shield and our democratic megaphone. Every ballot cast is a declaration: that we matter, that we are paying attention, and that we will not be silenced. And voting doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be joyful, communal, even fun. That’s why we’re bringing energy and culture into the campaign. Importantly, we are not telling people how to vote—we are reminding them why to vote. Because our schools need to be safe for our kids. Because we want elected leaders who speak out forcefully against antisemitism. Because local zoning boards, library councils and school boards—yes, those—are making decisions that affect our daily lives. And because we know that silence and inaction have never served our people well.

This is a turning point. The Jewish community in New Jersey is standing up. We’re organizing for visibility. For safety. For solidarity. For dignity. And yes—for democracy.

So if you’ve been wondering what you can do about the climate we’re living in, here’s your answer: Join us. Canvass with us. Talk to your neighbors. Volunteer. Vote. Build the movement. Be part of the solution.

Stop kvetching. Start voting.

Peter Svarzbein is the national director of Jewish Voters Unite, a lens-based artist, former El Paso City Council member, and community organizer. He leads efforts to increase Jewish civic participation across the country, focusing on safety, justice and representation.

Alana Cooper is the New Jersey field manager of Jewish Voters Unite. She has nearly 20 years of experience in campaign and nonprofit management in both the Jewish and wider communities.