Op-Ed: I Would Vote Again For A Lubavitcher Candidate, and Here’s Why

by Benny Rosenberger

Losing an election is never easy. When you invest your time, energy, and hopes into a campaign, defeat hurts.

But when things don’t go your way, it doesn’t mean you were wrong. Elections are influenced by many factors; voter turnout, campaign resources, name recognition, timing, messaging, and the ability to mobilize supporters on Election Day. A loss at the ballot box does not invalidate the concerns that motivated a campaign or the issues it addressed.

The test is whether the campaign achieved something meaningful. In that regard, I believe it did.

The greatest opportunity that voting offers is the chance to make our voices heard. Prior to this election, many residents felt that their legitimate concerns regarding the development on Clarkson Ave and Albany Ave, which is on the path to becoming the largest MICA (Mentally Ill and Chemically Addicted) homeless shelter in the US, were not being taken seriously.

While the shelter itself may ultimately be moving forward, that does not mean the discussion is over. There are still many aspects of the project that can be addressed, improved, and mitigated to reduce negative impacts on the neighborhood.

That is why I was encouraged to see the video recorded after the election where Mr. Cunningham appears to be taking renewed interest in these concerns and has graciously offered to sit down with Mr. Gluck to discuss them. This is a very positive start, and Mr. Cunningham deserves credit for taking that step. Productive dialogue is how communities move forward, even when there are disagreements.

Just as importantly, the statement made by this election will not go unnoticed by future politicians. They now know that Crown Heights residents are paying attention, are engaged, and expect their concerns to be heard and respected.

Another positive outcome of Mr. Gluck’s campaign was the decisive impact the CH Jewish community’s votes had on local politics. Anthony Beckford, the openly anti-Semitic Democrat party, District 43 leader and State Committee Member, was voted out, replaced by friends of the Jewish community.

So yes, losing is disappointing. But my vote had a positive impact.

This campaign succeeded in bringing important community concerns into the public conversation. It encouraged engagement, demanded accountability, ensured that elected officials understand that the Jewish Community of Crown Heights expect a seat at the table when decisions affecting our neighborhood are made. The strong support of Jewish voters helped elect a friend who will better represent the Jewish community and allow our voices to be heard, instead of a foe who would turn his back on us.

And that alone makes the effort worthwhile.