6 | NOVEMBER 21 • 2024 J
N

1942 - 2024

Covering and Connecting 
Jewish Detroit Every Week

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PURELY COMMENTARY

I

’m honored that in the last days 
and weeks, I’ve heard from so 
many on both sides of the politi-
cal aisle. I know that some of us are 
elated and some of us are relieved. 
Some of us are terrified 
and some of us are 
angry. And now, nearly 
48 hours after the polls 
closed on Election 
Day 2024, for me it 
comes back to the one 
commonality among 
those who are elated, 
relieved, terrified or angry: 
It comes back to us. It comes back 
to the blessing of peoplehood and 
the mission of Judaism.
On this day after the day after, 
and in weeks to come, I think that 
it would behoove us to reach across 
party lines to better understand the 
fears and the anger that the “other 
side” feels and that drove votes in 

either direction. I think we would all 
benefit from taking a moment or two 
to humbly set aside either our joy in 
victory or our frustration in defeat, 
and to listen toward understanding 
because, for both red and blue, our 
country is so full of fear and anger. 
There are Republicans and there are 
Democrats who are hurting, and we 
are obligated to care.
Moreover, I think it is worth not-
ing that, even if they disagree on 
how to achieve that vision, Jewish 
Democrats and Jewish Republicans 
share the same vision of a righteous 
society.
On this we all agree: We are com-
manded to love God, to love our 
fellow Jews and to love the strangers 
living peacefully among us. We are 
commanded to pursue justice, to 
seek truth and to love peace. We 
are commanded to feed the hungry, 
clothe the naked, provide for the 

widow and the orphan, comfort the 
mourner, visit the sick and free the 
captive. That remains true for Jewish 
Democrats and Jewish Republicans 
alike.
We Jews are obligated to combat 
antisemitism and to secure Israel’s 
safety as a Jewish and democratic 
nation. We are obligated to isolate 
and to reject the extremists on the 
right and on the left. That remains 
true for Jewish Democrats and 
Jewish Republicans alike.
We Jews are required to view every 
individual as created in the image 
of God: to show respect, to offer 
compassion and to seek understand-
ing. We are the people for whom 
affirming the dignity of another is 
of the highest values. We know what 
it’s like to be enslaved, oppressed 
and othered, and so we extend our 
hands to those similarly suffering 
today. That remains true for Jewish 

Democrats and Jewish Republicans 
alike.
The election is over, and, as 
always, no one knows what tomor-
row brings. For now, though, it 
comes back to us: whether reddish or 
blueish, we are together Jewish! Let’s 
care for each other and support each 
other. Let’s try even harder to serve 
God and to strengthen community. 
Let’s reenergize our efforts to care 
for those in need — whether they 
be among our people or among 
the broader community. Let’s com-
bat antisemitism and work toward 
the safety of a Jewish, democratic 
Israel. And, whether we are elated 
or relieved or afraid or angry, let’s 
treat each other with the dignity and 
respect that all of God’s children 
deserve. 

Rabbi Aaron Starr is a spiritual leader at 

Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield.

essay

The ‘Day After’ the ‘Day After’

Rabbi Aaron 
Starr

