Through T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights and Faiths United to Save Democracy, over 60 rabbis and cantors from across the United States are serving as Poll Chaplains this Election Day. These Jewish clergy are a part of a multi-faith initiative that aims to provide a reassuring presence, promote calm, and uphold voters’ rights as folks head to the polls today in nine battleground states.
These 60+ rabbis and cantors have been trained to support a safe and welcoming voting environment. They are prepared to de-escalate tensions, offer nonpartisan support to voters, and ensure that every individual can exercise their right to vote without fear or interference. Working in coordination with local election officials and fellow volunteers, the Poll Chaplains will be stationed in areas with a heightened risk of voter intimidation or obstruction, standing as a moral and protective presence on behalf of democracy.
“At T’ruah, we are deeply committed to the Jewish values of pursuing justice and dignity. Serving as Poll Chaplains is an extension of this commitment, embodying our belief that every individual has the right to vote freely, safely, and without intimidation,” said Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah. “By standing at polling stations, these clergy leaders are helping to safeguard the heart of our democracy. We are proud to partner with Faiths United to Save Democracy in this vital work.”
“It’s easy to feel powerless right now and so any opportunity to support democracy is a gift,” said Rabbi Megan GoldMarche, Executive Director of Tribe 12 serving as a poll chaplain in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “This felt like a way that I could use my title and power to create a safer environment at a polling place. I am not sure what to expect but if I can make even one person feel more comfortable in this anxiety filled time it will be worthwhile.”
“During an election in which not only the president, but the very foundation of our democracy feels like it’s at stake, it is more important than ever that we work to preserve the safety and sanctity of the election process,” said Claire Davidson Bruder, a rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary. “It is absolutely essential that all people feel safe voting, and I see it as poll chaplains’ duty to help ensure that all people — but especially those whose identities make them most vulnerable to intimidation — are able to make their voices heard in the democratic process.”
“As a rabbi who works all across the South, I well know the shameful history of voter suppression and intimidation in my region,” said Rabbi Salem Pearce, Director of Spirituality, Institute of Southern Jewish Life. “I’m proud to be voting this morning in my city of Jackson, Mississippi, and then serving this afternoon as a peaceful, de-escalatory presence as a poll chaplain in Mobile, Alabama.”
“My activism over nearly 40 years in the rabbinate has been based in the Torah’s teaching that we are all created in G_d’s image, and therefore are worthy of respect, and share the same basic rights,” said Rabbi Charles Arian, serving as a poll chaplain in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “By serving as a poll chaplain, I have an opportunity to put my beliefs into action and play a more active role in the democratic process.”
“In this polarized climate, it is more important than ever to support our democratic institutions,” said Rabbi Abi Weber, Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel in Philadelphia. “As a rabbi, I want to do anything I can to protect and support voters as they exercise their constitutional rights.”
“My family came to this country over 100 years ago looking for safety from despotic rulers and undemocratic societies in Europe,” said Rabbi David Jaffe, Executive Director of Kirva. “While U.S. democracy is far from perfect, our multi-racial, multi-ethnic liberal democracy is good for the Jews. I’m volunteering as a poll chaplain today to do my part to support our democratic system by keeping our elections free and fair.”
Clergy involved in this effort are committed to being nonpartisan, focusing solely on the well-being and safety of voters. The collaboration is a testament to the role of faith communities in upholding democratic values, and it underscores the shared belief across faith traditions in the dignity of each person’s voice and vote.
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T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights brings the Torah’s ideals of human dignity, equality, and justice to life by empowering our network of over 2,300 rabbis and cantors to be moral voices and to lead Jewish communities in advancing democracy and human rights for all people in the United States, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Faiths United to Save Democracy is a coalition of faith-based organizations that mobilize to ensure free, fair, and safe elections across the country.