As a friend recently posted on Facebook, every day is Election Day right now.
As Early Voting starts in many states and others send in their absentee ballots, voter suppression is happening right now and it’s critical that voters across the country have the information they need to combat voter suppression.
I am so inspired by all of the incredible ways that the Lab/Shul community is showing up to make sure that voters show up this election season and that those votes are counted. At this week’s Together Tuesdays, our community members shared stories about phone banking with Reclaim Our Vote and text banking with Chutzpah 2020.
It doesn’t stop there – Lab/Shul Partners are working with those who live on reservations to combat issues related to getting to polling places. We are staffing Voter Protection hotlines. We are deep canvassing and calling election officials to ask them to pledge that they will count every ballot cast. We are walking the walk, and for those of you who may not have found a way to plug in just yet, it’s not too late.
There are plenty of options listed below to continue phone and text banking in advance of November 3. And even on November 3, there are options to show up, virtually or safely in person. Depending on where you live, you may still be able to sign up to be a poll worker. Our partners at Repair the World put together this non-partisan guide to the election.
No matter what avenue you choose, remember that every day between now and November 3 is Election Day –let’s do our part to make sure that our voices, and the voices of every registered voter, are heard.
With Hope,
Sam Hipschman & Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie
Saturday, October 24th // 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Civic Circle is a civic ritual, a gathering of friends and strangers in a commonplace to nurture a spirit of shared purpose. We will reflect and connect around the values and practices of being an active citizen. We’ll reckon with and reflect on our nation’s creed and current experiences through the lens of a civic study. Most of all, we’ll build civic fellowship together and see how engaging civically can be joyful and communal.
Monday, October 26th // 4:00pm-6:00pm
Monday Interfaith NYC/ROV Phonebank, Sponsored by members and friends of the Fourth Universalist Society, Ethical Culture of New York, and Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.
Tuesday, October 27th // 5:30pm
Text Banking with Chutzpah 2020, Dayenu’s effort to reach out to 500,000 climate-concerned voters in key states before Election Day, let them know what’s at stake, and ensure they know when and how to vote safely.
Tuesday, October 27th // 7:00pm
Together Tuesdays, our weekly check-in with incredible #GetOuttheVote volunteers. Led by Rabbi Amichai and Sam Hipschman, we’ll debrief volunteer efforts, get grounded and inspired, and share action plans and projects.
Wednesday, October 28th // 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Phone bank with Reclaim Our Vote, sponsored by the Upper West Side Interfaith Coalition
Thursday, October 29th // 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Phone bank with Chutzpah 2020, Dayenu’s effort to reach out to 500,000 climate-concerned voters in key states before Election Day, let them know what’s at stake, and ensure they know when and how to vote safely.
Friday, October 30th // 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Phone bank with Reclaim Our Vote, sponsored by the Upper West Side Interfaith Coalition
Tuesday, November 3rd // 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Together Tuesdays, our weekly check-in with incredible #GetOuttheVote volunteers. Led by Rabbi Amichai and Sam Hipschman, we’ll debrief volunteer efforts, get grounded and inspired, and share action plans and projects.
Tuesday, November 3rd // 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Tikkun Leil Election, modeled on Tikkun Leil Shavuot, where Jews stay up all night studying Torah on Erev Shavuot, this event will offer community, inspiration, and spiritual nourishment. We likely won’t have clear election results on the night of November 3, but we can gather to support each other as we begin to see the emerging picture.
From 8:00 to 11:00pm ET, our friends at T’ruah will be hosting a space for short Torah study opportunities, musical performances, meditation moments, poetry readings, and more. Presenters will include artists, musicians, rabbis, cantors, and other performers who give us hope, strength, and moral clarity in difficult moments, including Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg of the National Council of Jewish Women, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, and poet Joy Ladin.
