Campaigning For Harmony

Young, politically active Jews and Chaldeans use collective voting power

to advance mutual agenda.

Bill Carroll I Jewish News Contributing Writer

"We made a pact," explained

Bubba Urdan, who is Jewish.

"If a Jew won the primary,

the Chaldeans would support

him. If a Chaldean won, the

Jews would back him."

A Chaldean won the Republican pri-
mary.
Klint Kesto of Commerce beat five
challengers Aug. 7 to be nominated to
run for state representative in the 39th
District in the Nov. 6 election against
Standing: Arthur Horwitz, Martin Manna, Zaid Elia, Ryan Fishman, Derek Dickow, Ryan Berman.
Democrat Pam Jackson of Commerce.
Seated: Bubba Urdan, Klint Kesto.
The district covers Commerce, Wixom,
Wolverine Lake and the west end of West
party affiliation, can develop a common
for the community. We must stop all of the
Bloomfield.
agenda and draw on each other's expertise,
polarization in the state and nation:
Urdan, 42, of West Bloomfield was one
resources and collective voting power to
Kesto, a widower at age 30, is mak-
of the losing candidates, but now he and his
advance that agenda; explained Horwitz.
ing his first try for political office and
Jewish friends have teamed up with their
"Now that's happening locally, but Southeast "deeply appreciates" the efforts of his young
Chaldean colleagues to throw their full sup-
Michigan, Lansing and Washington, D.C.,
Chaldean and Jewish friends. A graduate
port behind Kesto.
also could benefit":
of the University of Michigan and Wayne
"We're doing the honorable thing — liv-
Horwitz and Manna envisioned that
State University's law school, he's a Wayne
ing up to our promise said Urdan. "We're
the eventual benefits of the Chaldean-
County prosecuting attorney, a job he would
trying our best to get Klint elected":
Jewish Building Community Initiative
have to relinquish if he's elected to the
Politics often creates strange bedfellows.
would include mutual knowledge, trust
$71,000-a-year state representative post.
But, in this case, the relationships run
and respect enabling both communities to
How did he win the primary in a field
deeper than that.
develop new areas of long-term collabora-
with no incumbent and six relatively
tion. They've worked closely together on an
unknown candidates? "It took a lot of hard
New Territory
array of educational, business, health, social
work, knocking on many doors in the dis-
The pact resulted from an informal meeting action and artistic endeavors that continue
trict by me and all of my family members
of a group of young, politically active Jewish to attract national attention, including men- and friends:' he said. 'And we started early;
and Chaldean business and professional
toring young people and a joint trip to Israel back in May. You have to tell people person-
men seeking common ground to connect
and the rest of the Holy Land next April.
ally who you are. I think voters like the idea
with and support each other in the political
of young blood among the candidates:
spectrum and regarding various business,
Everyone's Welcome
Kesto's Chaldean and Jewish pals are busy
economic and social issues.
So far, the group is all male and Republican, with election plans. Some have been friends
Also attending the meeting were Detroit
but that doesn't preclude females and
since their days at Bloomfield Hills Andover
Jewish News Publisher Arthur Horwitz
Democrats from joining the effort, Urdan
High School, where, they admit, they didn't
and Martin Manna, head of the Chaldean
said.
always get along.
Chamber of Commerce and co-publisher
"It just so happens that we feel Klint is
of the Chaldean News. They view this effort
the best candidate for this job right now:' he A Moderate Group
as the next installment of the Building
said. "We're leveraging our strong ties to get
"Now we're older and very passionate about
Community Initiative they started in 2010
him elected.
bridge-building:' says Ryan Fishman, 24, of
seeking harmony and more collaboration in
"But we also want to build a foundation
Birmingham, who's Jewish.
the Jewish and Chaldean communities.
for the future on many issues. Throughout
"Even now, we don't all agree on the many
"A logical extension of the Initiative's
history Jews and Chaldeans have shared a
social issues, but, at the end of the day, that's
impact is to identify areas where a seg-
common thread. We're all business or pro-
not standing in the way of our collaborative
ment of both communities, regardless of
fessional people, and we all want what's best
efforts. All of us are pretty moderate, and

48

October 4 • 2012

we welcome Democrats into the fold:
The group has no name yet, and has not
set any more formal meetings because they
are busy helping Kesto get elected.
Fishman is a law student and vice
president of strategic consulting for Stewart
Media in West Bloomfield, helmed by Derek
Dickow, 32, of West Bloomfield, a Chaldean.
Fishman was Urdan's campaign manager
in the primary, and he struck up a conver-
sation with Dickow at a primary polling
place while working for their respective
candidates. Dickow is now Kesto's chief
fundraiser.
"We thought it would be a good idea to
eventually join forces': said Dickow.
Ryan Berman, 31, of Commerce, a Jew
and an Urdan supporter, hit all the poll-
ing places, giving refreshments to Urdan
poll workers. "And Klint's father was right
behind me in a truck doing the same thing
for his workers:' said Berman, an attorney.
"Klint is highly qualified and deserves to
be elected. This is another case of Jews and
Chaldeans, who are so much alike, sharing
the same goals and aspirations in the com-
munity"

What's Best For All
Zaid Elia, 33, of West Bloomfield, a
Chaldean, ironically supported Urdan in the
primary. Like the others, he has switched
his allegiance to Kesto. "We're all coming
together to perform public service and do
what's best for the community': he pointed
out.
"Zaid and I have been good friends for a
long time, and I approached him very early
for his support': says Urdan. "Actually, he
and I organized the original meeting of our

Dickow and Fishman are planning a
joint Jewish-Chaldean fundraiser for Kesto
on Oct. 4 at Tam O'Shanter Country Club
in West Bloomfield. Tam owner Sheldon
Yellen will be keynote speaker.
"Cost is $100 per person and it starts at
5:45 p.m., but, for $500, guests can arrive at
4:30 for a special reception with a high-level
elected official who we can't name now for
security reasons;' said Fishman.
For reservations, call Fishman at (248)
425-5642 or Derek Dickow at (248) 521-
2900. BC