Views A merican Jewish com- munities must act now to protect democracy and voting rights. Protect the United States Postal Services (USPS). It is a mitzvah. It is the single-most important thing we need to do during the countdown to Nov. 3. It is currently being gutted, and if it cannot function properly, then the democratic process that under- girds the American way of life fails. Jewish ethics and Talmudic teachings call out to us to take action. The famous maxim of Hillel, “Do not separate yourself from the community, ” reminds us of the importance of supporting the health of society (Pirkei Avot 2:4). The Talmudic sages make this point explicit. This maxim, they explain, teaches that when the community is suffering, you have an obligation to support it (Ta’ anit 11a). The deliberate sabotage of the USPS is causing a unique suffering. At the same time, we are mindful of the consequences of living during this modern plague of COVID-19. We understand that we have an obligation to save ourselves and protect others through social distancing. This, too, is recog- nized by the Talmudic sages, who proclaim the importance of isolation from the commu- nity during a time of plague (Bava Kamma 60b). The option to vote by mail was supposed to relieve the tension in these contradictory claims made upon us — to both separate and not separate ourselves from the community. Through the USPS, we can do both. We can fulfill our obliga- tion to maintain our society’ s health by voting while simulta- neously preserving the health and safety of ourselves and our fellow human beings. The one pathway open to us that would allow us to fulfill our ethical obligations to our- selves, our neighbor, and our democratic republic is severely constricted. Without the postal service, people will be forced to choose between safeguarding their health or safeguarding democ- racy. This is an untenable and unnecessary burden. The ongoing dismantling of the U.S. Postal Services must be vigor- ously opposed. It is a Jewish ethical obligation. Time is running short. We must support advoca- cy groups like the League of Women Voters. Demand that your representatives and sena- tors take action now to protect the USPS. Press your repre- sentative to hold Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and the USPS board of governors accountable. Find out what you can do locally to help people get their absentee ballots to their clerk’ s offices. And get started now. Matthew Kaufman, Ph.D. is the rabbi of Congregation Kehillat Israel in Lansing. Rabbi Matthew Kaufman, Ph.D. To make a donation to the DETROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website www.djnfoundation.org The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Hwy., #110, Southfield, MI 48034. 8 | AUGUST 27 • 2020 1942 - 2020 Covering and Connecting Jewish Detroit Every Week jn Arthur M. Horwitz Publisher ahorwitz@renmedia.us F. Kevin Browett Chief Operating Officer kbrowett@renmedia.us | Editorial Editor: Andrew Lapin alapin@thejewishnews.com Associate Editor: Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl@renmedia.us Social Media and Digital Producer: Nathan Vicar nvicar@renmedia.us Multimedia Reporter: Corrie Colf ccolf@renmedia.us Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@renmedia.us Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin dannyraskin2132@gmail.com Contributing Editor: Robert Sklar rsklar@renmedia.us Contributing Editor: David Sachs Contributing Writers: Nate Bloom, Rochel Burstyn, Suzanne Chessler, Irwin Cohen, Adam Finkel, Louis Finkelman, Maya Goldman, Judy Greenwald, Elizabeth Katz, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer Lovy, Danny Schwartz, Mike Smith | Advertising Sales Vice President of Sales and Business Development: Carol Kruemmer ckruemmer@renmedia.us Senior Account Executive: Keith Farber kfarber@renmedia.us Account Executives: Kristine Bonds, Tim Brown, Catherine Grace, Kathy Harvey-Mitton, Anne Perlin | Business Office Operations Manager: Andrea Gusho agusho@renmedia.us Operations Assistant / Event Coordinator: Ashlee Szabo Circulation: Danielle Smith Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner | Production By Farago & Associates Manager: Scott Drzewiecki Designers: Jessica Joannides, Kelly Kosek, Kaitlyn Schoen, Michelle Sheridan | Detroit Jewish News Partner: Arthur M. Horwitz ahorwitz@renmedia.us Partner: F. Kevin Browett kbrowett@renmedia.us Partner: Michael H. Steinhardt How to reach us see page 11 guest column Protecting Postal Services Is a Mitzvah Greenberg’s View