October 16, 2008
ftbt —f or teens by teens
election time!
Jewish teens find ways to get involved in presidential politics.
by Adina Applebaum and Yossi Lichterman
he 2008 presidential election could go
down in history as being one of the most
important elections in our lifetime.
Our economy is tanking, war continues to rage
in Iraq and Afghanistan, and America's image
abroad is suffering. Additionally, the next presi-
dent will most likely nominate one or more new
U.S. Supreme Court justices, which could tip the
balance of power on the court and affect
important decisions regarding key
issues such as same-sex marriage
and a woman's right to choose
to terminate her pregnancy.
Yet, with all of this at stake,
a majority of teens will not be
able to cast their vote on Nov.
4. For teens under the legal vot-
ing age of 18, not being able to vote
in this election is even more frustrat-
ing than filling out endless college applications or
studying for biology tests. Still, the fact they cannot
vote is not stopping Jewish teens in Metro Detroit
from getting involved in the 2008 election by doing
everything from reading newspapers to watching
debates to persuading non-registered voters to be-
come part of the election process.
At the Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloom-
field, one way students make sure their political
voices are heard is through the Spread the Vote
Club. This group of teenagers meets weekly to or-
ganize schoolwide mock elections and events that
will help encourage anyone able to vote to fill out a
ballot on Nov. 4.
Junior Jacob Diskin, 16, of West
Bloomfield says he started
Spread the Vote because
he noticed other teens' in-
terest in clubs with sports
themes. When he saw how
much dedication students
were putting into following
their favorite teams, he realized
that same interest could be applied to poli-
tics. As president of the club, Jacob believes that
being politically aware is a teen's responsibility
because "voting or helping support a candidate is
the most important thing we can do to direct our
future."
FJA junior Zach Hyman, 16, of West Bloomfield
agrees. "By being politically aware," he says, "I'm
fulfilling my responsibility as an American citizen
who cannot vote."
When it comes to being involved, school clubs
are not the only way teens support their favorite
candidate. Eryn Fox, 16, of Oak Park, a junior at
Yeshivat Akiva in Southfield, says that whenever
she gets a chance, she watches political re-
ports on television — even if it means
missing a dance class or two, as it did
for her to see the vice presidential
debate on Oct. 9.
A fan of Barack Obama, FJA
sophomore Daniel Elkus, 15, of
West Bloomfield has been helping
the Democratic Illinois senator's cam-
paign by calling Michigan voters.
"I would suggest that other teens contact
their local field office to do phone banking or go
door to door," he says. "By working for the cam-
paign, you're able to make a difference."
continues on page B3
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