Vice President Kamala Harris, the leading contender to replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic party’s presidential nominee. Photo by Chris duMond/Getty Images

As a Democratic National Convention delegate and a longtime Jewish activist committed to supporting Israel and combating antisemitism, I wholeheartedly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency.

I have had the privilege of seeing Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, speak in person multiple times. They are an impressive team who will bring a better future for us all.

Harris, whom President Joe Biden today endorsed to fill his place after stepping down as the Democratic party’s presumptive presidential nominee, has shown herself to be a true ally to those of us who care deeply for Israel. Since Oct. 7, she has worked consistently to get the hostages who remain in Gaza released, and support Israel in fighting to defeat Hamas. When some activist groups shockingly denied reports of rapes and abuse committed by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack, Harris spoke up for the truth.

Harris has also been a vocal advocate for finding a viable path to achieving lasting peace in the region. Her balanced and thoughtful approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is crucial for maintaining strong U.S.-Israel relations while promoting peace and security for all parties involved.

Unlike former President Donald Trump and his vice presidential running mate, Sen. JD Vance — who once said he’d like to see abortion be made illegal across the entire country — Harris is also committed to women’s rights and healthcare, issues about which Jewish voters like me are particularly passionate. I saw Harris speak with exhilarating intensity on these issues last month: “Today, our daughters know fewer rights than their grandmothers,” she said. “This is a health care crisis. And we all know who is to blame: Donald Trump.”

Her brilliance and passion electrified the crowd. Her ability to inspire and mobilize people is a testament to her strong leadership, and the much-needed energy that she will bring to this race.

Last week I also saw Emhoff, who is Jewish, speak from the heart about his vital work combating antisemitism in Baltimore alongside Sen. Ben Cardin. Emhoff’s dedication to fighting Jew-hate is profound and inspiring. “I did not expect my Jewish faith to be such a big deal in this role,” Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president, said in May, 2022. “But as I have gone forward in it, you really realize how much this representation matters to people.”

On the other hand, Trump has been a nightmare for the Jewish community and our values.

After the 2017 white nationalist march in Charlottesville, he said of the crowd of hate mongers chanting “Jews will not replace us” that there were “very fine people on both sides.” His rhetoric and actions have often emboldened white supremacists and other hate groups, undermining the safety and well-being of our community.

Harris has also been instrumental in fostering the U.S.-Israel partnership in working for climate solutions. In 2023, she collaborated with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to unveil a momentous $70 million initiative aimed at tackling climate challenges. The initiative, in which Israel and the U.S. each invested $35 million, is focusing on launching food security and climate resilience projects, emphasizing climate-smart agriculture and technology in the Middle East and Africa. 

This partnership is a critical step towards addressing global climate issues, and highlights Harris’s dedication to sustainable development in partnership with U.S. allies — especially in regions, like the Middle East, which are already experiencing devastating consequences from climate change.

In contrast, Trump, in his speech last week accepting the Republican nomination for president, repeatedly said that on the very first day of his administration, if elected in November, he would “drill, baby, drill.” His administration previously rolled back numerous environmental regulations and withdrew from the Paris Agreement, actions that have had severe consequences for the planet. 

In contrast, Harris’s vision for the planet and the U.S. aligns with the values and aspirations of the Jewish community. Her dedication to justice, equality and environmental stewardship resonates deeply with our tradition of tikkun olam, the Jewish concept of repairing the world. Her leadership style is inclusive, empathetic and action-oriented, qualities that are essential for addressing the complex challenges we face today.

In contrast, Trump’s divisive and destructive policies have only highlighted Americans’ need for a leader who can unite the country and guide us towards a brighter future. Kamala Harris is that leader.

In endorsing her, Biden has demonstrated the great values that have made his time in office so successful — and helped inspire my own political journey. I first met him in 1985 at an AIPAC policy conference when I was a senior at college; our conversation helped inspire me to move to Washington and become involved in our nation’s political life. I am grateful for all he has done to make our lives and future better. He has passed the torch not only to Harris – he has now passed the torch on to us as well.

And so I urge my fellow Jewish Americans to join me in supporting Kamala Harris and working together to build a more just, sustainable and inclusive world. It’s time to roll up our sleeves, and get to work.

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