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Judicial Continued from Page 5
each case, utilize insight and
experience to weigh the facts,
have the courage to be decisive,
and the integrity to articulate
the court’s ruling. Justice also
demands that all citizens are
entitled to fairness, dignity and
impartiality that is free from
prejudice. These are the princi-
ples that define a sound judicial
philosophy. If elected, these are
the principles that will define
me as a judge.

How does being Jewish
influence your judicial philos-
ophy/professional ethics?:
Justice is an integral concept
in Jewish teachings which have
been a part of my education since
starting first grade at a yeshiva
in Brooklyn, New York. The
Torah emphasizes the moral and
ethical imperatives of justice and
this, in turn, informs our secular
concepts of justice. Particularly,
the concept of compassion in
justice transcends the religious
and secular divide. A conser-
vative judicial philosophy
ensures the greatest and most
equal justice and is, therefore, a
vehicle of compassion, which is
tikkun olam.

Daniel Sulman
Betsy Wahl
Courtesy of Betsy Wahl for Judge
our courts render fair and
compassionate decisions which
respect the rights and dignity
of all who enter the court-
house, regardless of gender,
race, religion, ethnicity, sexual
orientation or socioeconomic
background. How does being Jewish
influence your judicial philos-
ophy/professional ethics?: As
a child, I attended Hebrew
school at Oxford Circle Jewish
Community Center and later
attended Jewish Community
High School in the summer
and on Sundays. My Jewish
upbringing and education has
instilled in me the belief that
all human beings should be
treated with fairness, dignity
and respect. As a person who
believes strongly in the impor-
tance of tikkun olam, I have
dedicated my professional
life and legal career to the
service of some of the most
vulnerable people in the city
of Philadelphia, including
children and victims of
domestic violence. I am proud
of my long career in public
service and I strongly believe
that my religious education and
life experience as a husband
and father of two children has
prepared me to exercise the
important duties of a judge
with humility and compassion.

Court of Common Pleas, 1st
Judicial District
Why are you running?: I
started my legal career 35 years
ago at the Defender Association
of Philadelphia. I’ve tried
thousands of cases, including
representing high-profile
juvenile offenders. I’m also
a trained mediator and have
taught criminal law. For the
last 20 years I’ve run a court-
room in Juvenile Delinquency
Court, determining outcomes
for thousands of the city’s most
vulnerable youth. My work is
my passion. Every day I do
what I can to get these youth
on the right track. That means
making sure that when these
young people are finished with
court supervision, they are
high school graduates, crime
free, drug free and work-ready.

If I were a judge, I would be able
to have an even greater impact.

Our youth deserve a chance
to succeed, and Juvenile Court
can play a tremendous role.

How does being Jewish
influence your judicial philos-
ophy/professional ethics?: I
have always believed that my
public service, and specifically
my work in Juvenile Court, is
my version of tikkun olam. We
can only repair the world if we
fight for one person at a time,
and that starts with young
people. I fight for social justice
every day, one youth at a time.

I sent my son to pre-school
at the Germantown Jewish
Centre where he also learned
the importance of justice and
fairness. “Tzedek tzedek tirdof,”
justice, justice thou shalt
pursue. I pursue justice every
day for all, that they may have
the same opportunities for
success, regardless of income,
race, gender or disability. It is
my wish that every child I see
in Juvenile Court will come
away with the same lessons
that formed my son at GJC. l
Running for:
Judge, Philadelphia Court of Common
Pleas, 1st Judicial District
Why are you running?:
I seek to maintain my seat
on the bench because the
public is entitled to a quali-
fied and experienced judiciary
consisting of committed
public servants with integrity,
independence and compas-
sion. For nearly two decades, I
have dedicated my legal career
to public service and to the
protection of Philadelphia’s
children, families and victims
of domestic violence. Of all
the candidates seeking election
to the Philadelphia Court of
Common Pleas, I have the
most judicial experience, with
nearly three years of service
as a Family Court judge. Now Betsy Wahl
jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; more than ever, it is vital that Running for: Judge, Philadelphia 215-832-0740
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT
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