O PINION
Zipin Fickler
Continued from Page 22
U.S. history.”
Biden recognizes the threat
posed by Iran, not just to Israel
but to our other allies in the
Middle East. He has stated
unequivocally that Iran should
never be allowed to acquire
nuclear weapons. Against the
strong objections of our closest
allies, Trump pulled the U.S.

out of the nuclear deal, and,
now, Iran is closer to achieving
nuclear weapons capability.

Not only will Biden be a good
friend to Israel but he, as well,
will restore America’s leadership
around the world. At present
our standing in the international
community, most importantly,
with our Western European
allies and NATO, is at the lowest
point it has ever been.

Our international alliances
make our nation not only stronger,
Continued from Page 22
but safer. Biden, who understands
the signifi cance of these relation-
ships, will always stand by our
allies — not betray them to dicta-
tors and potentates who do not
refl ect or support our American
values or our Jewish values.

We are at an infl ection
point in our nation’s history
and we have a choice to make.

Do we maintain and protect
our democratic institutions, or
do we allow ourselves to slide
into autocracy? Th e choice is
clear. Th e only thing standing
between us and autocracy is Joe
Biden. We, at Democratic Jewish
Outreach Pennsylvania, urge
you to vote for Joe Biden for our
children, for our grandchildren
and for our nation. ●
Jill Zipin is the chair of Democratic
Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania.

heart of how we exchange ideas
and how we engage with our
sacred texts and traditions. Th e
hallmark of Talmud is the prolif-
eration of diff ering opinions
that coexist and are recorded
together. American democracy,
too, is founded on the value
of healthy disagreement and
coexistence. It is because of this
very value, as codifi ed in our
Constitution, that our Jewish
communities found safe haven
here in the United States and
have been able to fl ourish in this
nation in ways unprecedented in
our people’s history.

In our commonwealth and
in our country, we remain
committed to a democracy in
which there is robust and fruitful
debate, each person’s dignity
is honored, each person’s life
matters, and each person’s vote
is counted. We must denounce
all violence both before and
following the election, including
intimidation of election offi cials
and citizens seeking to cast
their vote, as well as intentional
dissemination of false informa-
tion about the voting process.

No matter who your preferred
candidates might be, it is imper-
ative that we all support the
election being conducted in a
fair and just manner with all
eligible voters having unhin-
dered access to the polls and
all votes being counted before
winners are determined.

It is highly unlikely that we
will have a clear winner in the
presidential race on Election
Day. We ask for patience and
commitment to our system
of democracy as we allow for
every valid vote to be counted.

Although this may take longer
than usual, it means that democ-
racy is working. Finally, we must
honor the legitimate results of the
election, whether they require a
peaceful transition of power or a
continuation of leadership.

Long aft er this election is
behind us, may we look back
with a clear conscience, knowing
that, despite our diff erences, we
each did our part to preserve
our shared democracy. As we
hold multiple viewpoints, may
we hold onto the humanity of
one another. ●
Arlene Fickler is the president of
the Jewish Community Relations
Council of the Jewish Federation of
Greater Philadelphia. Rabbi Annie
Lewis and Rabbi Eric Yanoff are
co-presidents of the Board of
Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia.

Be heard.

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