Northeast

Left-wing rabbi warns Biden, Democrats not to count on Jewish votes from the pulpit

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2024

Left-wing rabbi warns Biden, Democrats not to count on Jewish votes from the pulpit

A left-wing New York rabbi from the reform movement, a major Jewish denomination that breaks from traditional orthodoxy, is speaking out against what he views as the Democratic Party’s perceived increasing tolerance of antisemitism.

Sending a warning to Democrats, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch spoke about the 2024 elections and how liberal Jewish voters are planning to cast their ballots at the pulpit of The Free Synagogue on the west side of New York City on Friday.

“Neither I nor our synagogue engage in partisan politics. So allow me to express a nonpartisan word to all of our friends in elected office from the Democratic Party, from someone who is finely attuned to American Jewish sentiment,” he said.

“Do not take American Jews for granted,” Hirsch warned. “I have spoken with so many American Jews in the past few months who have surprised me with their anxiety about developments in the Democratic Party and their perception that it is becoming increasingly hostile to Israel and increasingly tolerant of anti-Zionism and antisemitism in its own ranks. Be careful. The results of the upcoming election do not only depend on Michigan.”

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The rabbi’s warning from the pulpit was directed at Democrats who think they can allow antisemitism to fester in the party while counting on Jewish voters. (YouTube/screenshot – Stephen Wise Free Synagogue | Getty)

Michigan has been a flashpoint for anti-Israel activism.

A group of Democrats called “Listen to Michigan” started a movement in opposition to President Biden amid his support for Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 attacks in dismantling Hamas in Gaza. The movement poses a potential headache for the Biden campaign in a battleground state that has seen close margins in the last two presidential elections.

Former President Trump leads President Biden in Michigan in the Real Clear Politics average of polls by 2 points. Pollsters found among registered voters, Trump maintains 50% support compared to Biden’s 42% in Michigan.

‘RADICAL’ PRO-PALESTINIAN GROUPS INCREASINGLY TARGET HOUSES OF WORSHIP FOR PROTESTS IN ALARMING TREND

The Biden campaign has worked to ease the tension with voters in Dearborn, a city with the highest per capita Muslim population in the country. Campaign officials met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in the area in January, though that outreach was derided as “dehumanizing” by Democratic Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud.

President Joe Biden’s campaign said it does not want the vote of anti-Israel agitators who chanted “Death to America.”

However, following “Death to America” chants in Dearborn, the administration and campaign drew a proverbial line in the sand.

“The White House condemns these abhorrent and antisemitic remarks in the strongest terms,” deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told Fox News Digital.

HAMAS DEFECTOR TELLS PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVISTS THEY BELONG IN ‘A MENTAL ASYLUM’ IN BRUTAL DEBATE

“If we do not prevail, the assault on liberty and decency will not end in the Middle East. It will come to the Midwest. It will not stop at Kibbutz Beiri. It will invade Brussels, Barcelona, Berlin, Baltimore. And even if I am the last liberal in America, I will stand alone and warn of the pending disaster,” the rabbi said at the pulpit. “We must all share the responsibility for restoring our country’s moral sanity.”

A young girl holds a Palestinian flag during an interfaith prayer vigil for Aaron Bushnell outside the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn, Michigan on March 3, 2024. (JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images))

“Dear friends, we have some difficult days ahead. Days of anxiety, concern, uncertainty and loss. But do not despair. Jews are not a despairing people. Better days are ahead. I promise you,” the rabbi said.

Fox News’ Michael Lee and Timothy Nerozzi contributed to this report.

Hannah Grossman is a Reporter at Fox News Digital.

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Maine

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

Published

1 minute ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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