News, Info & Resources for the Cleveland Orthodox Jewish Community
This is the first half of the Primary Election. This year there will be another primary in August for the legislative offices due to the delay in getting agreement on redistricting, a process that happens every ten years as the result of new census numbers. Both primaries are important, both because it is our chance to have an effect on important offices that affect our lives and because low voter turnout is expected both times making our effect that much more. As always, if we can’t count on each other to vote, our votes can’t be counted and we as a group don’t count. Please consider the below suggestions, but however you decide to vote: Please Vote!
As with all primaries, you can choose to vote as a Democrat or as a Republican (or Issues Only) by requesting that ballot when you vote, and whichever party you choose will remain your party of record until the next primary. Many of you are Democrats because you supported the effort for Shontel Brown in the last primary against Nina Turner. Should you decide to, you could vote Republican now and Democrat in August. Switching is legal in Ohio and it is important to make sure your voice is heard, no matter how you choose to vote. Whatever party or candidates you support at the primary level has no bearing on your vote in November when the winner will actually take office.
| Democrat | Republican |
|
Governor: John Kranley Vs. Nan Whaley – See comments below US Senate: Tim Ryan Ohio Congressional District 11: Shontel Brown |
Governor: Mike DeWine Secretary of State: Frank LaRose Attorney General: Dave Yost State Auditor: Keith Faber State Treasurer: Robert Sprague US Senate: Josh Mandel |
Cleveland Heights Issue 9: NO
Would replace development plan for Cedar Lee area that includes a park with an as yet unplanned park only – See expanded comments Vote NO ON NINE
Cleveland Heights Issue 10: YES
Adjusts the office of Clerk of Council to remain under Council purview in the new governmental structure. See Expanded Comments. Vote Yes
Democrat Governor: John Kranley and Nan Wheatley are both experienced Mayors in Cincinnati and Dayton respectively. Kranley claims he will do for Ohio what he’s done for Cincinnati and his economic numbers are good. He is also the more moderate candidate of the two on issues we care about. Politically speaking, Kranley is also the stronger candidate and the one more likely to defeat a Republican statewide in November. Wheatly is running as the Progressive candidate. Her running mate for Lieutenant Governor is our friend, Cheryl Stephens who resides in Cleveland Heights, was our former Mayor (under the old powers of mayor) and current County-councilperson with a history of strong support for our community.
Ohio 11: Vote Shontel Brown. This is the Congressional seat for which we recently supported Shontel Brown against Nina Turner filling a vacancy that arose when our Congresswoman was appointed to President Biden’s cabinet. Although Turner is challenging her again, Brown, who holds the office after her win, is considered the leader of the party and has their official support. However many in the party supported Turner the first time and will come out for her again in this low turnout race. For all the same reasons, we should support her again. Brown has the favorable ties to our community and the commonsense approach lacking from the far left, progressive ideologue Turner. Vote Shontel Brown
Cleveland Heights Issue 9 –NO This is an ill-conceived, late to the table citizen led initiative to compel the city to scrap the development plans already signed on and shovel ready for the Meadowbrook Cedar Lee area after years of planning in favor of a park and only a park. The cost to the city is tremendous. Not only would there be the loss of time and effort already paid, but the city would have to start over developing new plans because this initiative offers no park plan to choose. Not only would there be the loss of income revenue the current plans for store fronts and living spaces would have brought, but instead of receiving income, the city would bear the cost of the upkeep of a park that brings in zero. And since we’ve already signed the agreement, passage of Issue 9 would incur hefty legal fees related to extricating ourselves from the contract, if we even can; an agreement council worked years to create and stands behind unanimously. Such costs hurt us all, but here’s the kicker. You get a park there either way. The development plans as they are now have carved out a portion of greenspace to include a park. The proponents of issue 9 want it all, no matter the costs and losses to the city. The No on Nine campaign is a group of concerned citizens who have it right. Vote No.
Cleveland Heights Issue 10 Charter Change: YES Strap in your seatbelts – this is going to be a bumpy ride. With the change in governmental structure from one branch to two, there’ll be a lot of old language in the our city’s charter that just no longer works. This is just a start. Before, the Clerk of Council, who is the staff member assigned to take care of the needs of councilmembers, answered, by Charter, to the City Manager who answered to the Council and was therefore under Council, who did all the hiring, firing and officially supervised all employees direction albeit indirectly. With the Mayor replacing the City Manager but being a separate branch of government, the question of who supervises the Clerk opens up. Although most things formerly done by City Manager will now be under the Office of the Mayor as the city’s chief executive, obviously the hiring and supervision of Clerks of Council should remain under City Council whom they serve and under whose branch they belong. However, what is obvious to all isn’t obvious to the law. It will remain legally ambiguous unless we pass this. Most cities in the county do it this way and no new positions are created in the amendment. There is no opposing position. Vote Yes
While there are many important candidate elections on the ballot this coming Tuesday, Cleveland Heights has two important issues on the ballot as well. One of them could depend on the strength of our community’s vote!
You may have seen many signs around town urging residents to vote NO on Issue 9. But you may have no idea what this issue is about and why the vast majority of businesses and residents are opposing it. Here is a quick look at the issue and why you should vote NO on Election Day May 3rd.
What happens if Issue 9 passes?
If you want to learn more, please visit https://www.buildclm.com/.
Please vote NO on Issue 9 on May 3rd.
The passage of Issue 10 will shift the hiring and supervision of the Clerk of Council from the Mayor to City Council. Some facts on why this change deserves a YES vote:
If you want to learn more about what a Clerk of Council does and why CH Councilman Tony Cuda is supporting the passage of Issue 10, you can read his Heights Observer article here.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you!
Jessica Chavi Cohen
While there are many important candidate elections on the ballot this coming Tuesday, Cleveland Heights has two important issues on the ballot as well. One of them could depend on the strength of our community’s vote!
You may have seen many signs around town urging residents to vote NO on Issue 9. But you may have no idea what this issue is about and why the vast majority of businesses and residents are opposing it. Here is a quick look at the issue and why you should vote NO on Election Day May 3rd.
What happens if Issue 9 passes?
If you want to learn more, please visit https://www.buildclm.com/.
Please vote NO on Issue 9 on May 3rd.
The passage of Issue 10 will shift the hiring and supervision of the Clerk of Council from the Mayor to City Council. Some facts on why this change deserves a YES vote:
If you want to learn more about what a Clerk of Council does and why CH Councilman Tony Cuda is supporting the passage of Issue 10, you can read his Heights Observer article here.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you!
Jessica Chavi Cohen
This is the first half of the Primary Election. This year there will be another primary in August for the legislative offices due to the delay in getting agreement on redistricting, a process that happens every ten years as the result of new census numbers. Both primaries are important, both because it is our chance to have an effect on important offices that affect our lives and because low voter turnout is expected both times making our effect that much more. As always, if we can’t count on each other to vote, our votes can’t be counted and we as a group don’t count. Please consider the below suggestions, but however you decide to vote: Please Vote!
As with all primaries, you can choose to vote as a Democrat or as a Republican (or Issues Only) by requesting that ballot when you vote, and whichever party you choose will remain your party of record until the next primary. Many of you are Democrats because you supported the effort for Shontel Brown in the last primary against Nina Turner. Should you decide to, you could vote Republican now and Democrat in August. Switching is legal in Ohio and it is important to make sure your voice is heard, no matter how you choose to vote. Whatever party or candidates you support at the primary level has no bearing on your vote in November when the winner will actually take office.
| Democrat | Republican |
|
Governor: John Kranley Vs. Nan Whaley – See comments below US Senate: Tim Ryan Ohio Congressional District 11: Shontel Brown |
Governor: Mike DeWine Secretary of State: Frank LaRose Attorney General: Dave Yost State Auditor: Keith Faber State Treasurer: Robert Sprague US Senate: Josh Mandel |
Cleveland Heights Issue 9: NO
Would replace development plan for Cedar Lee area that includes a park with an as yet unplanned park only – See expanded comments Vote NO ON NINE
Cleveland Heights Issue 10: YES
Adjusts the office of Clerk of Council to remain under Council purview in the new governmental structure. See Expanded Comments. Vote Yes
Democrat Governor: John Kranley and Nan Wheatley are both experienced Mayors in Cincinnati and Dayton respectively. Kranley claims he will do for Ohio what he’s done for Cincinnati and his economic numbers are good. He is also the more moderate candidate of the two on issues we care about. Politically speaking, Kranley is also the stronger candidate and the one more likely to defeat a Republican statewide in November. Wheatly is running as the Progressive candidate. Her running mate for Lieutenant Governor is our friend, Cheryl Stephens who resides in Cleveland Heights, was our former Mayor (under the old powers of mayor) and current County-councilperson with a history of strong support for our community.
Ohio 11: Vote Shontel Brown. This is the Congressional seat for which we recently supported Shontel Brown against Nina Turner filling a vacancy that arose when our Congresswoman was appointed to President Biden’s cabinet. Although Turner is challenging her again, Brown, who holds the office after her win, is considered the leader of the party and has their official support. However many in the party supported Turner the first time and will come out for her again in this low turnout race. For all the same reasons, we should support her again. Brown has the favorable ties to our community and the commonsense approach lacking from the far left, progressive ideologue Turner. Vote Shontel Brown
Cleveland Heights Issue 9 –NO This is an ill-conceived, late to the table citizen led initiative to compel the city to scrap the development plans already signed on and shovel ready for the Meadowbrook Cedar Lee area after years of planning in favor of a park and only a park. The cost to the city is tremendous. Not only would there be the loss of time and effort already paid, but the city would have to start over developing new plans because this initiative offers no park plan to choose. Not only would there be the loss of income revenue the current plans for store fronts and living spaces would have brought, but instead of receiving income, the city would bear the cost of the upkeep of a park that brings in zero. And since we’ve already signed the agreement, passage of Issue 9 would incur hefty legal fees related to extricating ourselves from the contract, if we even can; an agreement council worked years to create and stands behind unanimously. Such costs hurt us all, but here’s the kicker. You get a park there either way. The development plans as they are now have carved out a portion of greenspace to include a park. The proponents of issue 9 want it all, no matter the costs and losses to the city. The No on Nine campaign is a group of concerned citizens who have it right. Vote No.
Cleveland Heights Issue 10 Charter Change: YES Strap in your seatbelts – this is going to be a bumpy ride. With the change in governmental structure from one branch to two, there’ll be a lot of old language in the our city’s charter that just no longer works. This is just a start. Before, the Clerk of Council, who is the staff member assigned to take care of the needs of councilmembers, answered, by Charter, to the City Manager who answered to the Council and was therefore under Council, who did all the hiring, firing and officially supervised all employees direction albeit indirectly. With the Mayor replacing the City Manager but being a separate branch of government, the question of who supervises the Clerk opens up. Although most things formerly done by City Manager will now be under the Office of the Mayor as the city’s chief executive, obviously the hiring and supervision of Clerks of Council should remain under City Council whom they serve and under whose branch they belong. However, what is obvious to all isn’t obvious to the law. It will remain legally ambiguous unless we pass this. Most cities in the county do it this way and no new positions are created in the amendment. There is no opposing position. Vote Yes
I don’t know why HaShem has given me ALS, but I know, with emunah shaleima, that His plan for me, is far better for me, than any plan that I could ever imagine. In so many ways, my life today, is better than before I was diagnosed. My connection with HaShem is so much closer now, my faith is immeasurable, even on the days that are more physically challenging. I am able to use my inability to speak, and go into my head and just be with HaShem. It’s such a blessing.
With my koach habracha I am bentching each of you with all the brachos in the Torah; with good health and happiness, shalom bayis, menuchas hanefesh and menuchas haguf, and with hatzlacha and bracha always!
When I called my nephew Yossi Klein on the morning of January 5, 2022, I did not know whether my friend’s mother who had just passed away of Covid the day before would receive any type of burial. Much less a burial with a proper Tahara completed, as well.
Little did I know that Yossi together with Reb Heshy Neiman, President of the Chevra Kadisha leads a network of extraordinary men and women who are dedicated to the burial of our Maisim, Al Taharas Hakodesh.
Indeed, as soon as I called early in the afternoon and secured the families permission, Yossi and Heshy put together a team of dedicated Nashim Tzidkyanos to travel round trip (three hours) to Youngstown, Ohio to take care of this poor women.
I kept following the development the whole afternoon by telephone and text to make sure that the Team would timely meet up with my friend and his brother at the funeral home in Youngstown. Indeed, they met at around 6:30 pm. The Team did the Tahara and then went on their long trek back to Cleveland Ohio.
Only the Jewish people can have such outstanding Baalos Chesed that pick themselves up one wintery afternoon to travel almost 200 miles (road-trip) to do this Chesed Shel Emes.
I had to write this short accolade of thanks to these extraordinary women and men who do this every day of every year.
Mi Kamcha Yisroel, Goy Echad Be’Aretz.
We have to thank those that are on the front lines and down in the trenches, working for Am Yisroel all the time.
May Ha-Shem look down upon his holy children and end this bitter galus once and for all and bring Moshiach Tzidkenu, Bimhera Byaminu Amen.
Ezra and Amy Klein
In the upcoming University Heights Mayoral Election, there is one trait that should be at the top of everyone’s list when considering whom to vote for, and that is experience. Only one candidate, the incumbent, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, has the experience and vision necessary to lead University Heights through the crucial four years ahead.
During his first term in office, Mayor Brennan has worked hard to bring new business to University Heights, spearheaded development of a new housing development on the city’s western border, worked with the The Mikveh Association, during their building process, closely cooperated with Congregation Zichron Chaim on their construction-plans to ease its approval by the planning commission, and launched a process to redevelop University Square that is one-step from being signed-off on. Under Mayor Brennan’s leadership, he has instituted new means of communication between the Mayor’s office and residents, and he has worked hard to ensure transparency of the city government and its functions.
Mayor Brennan has restored the city’s finances, successfully guiding it through the challenge of the pandemic, and rebuilt trust between the city government and the fire department.
Politically-expedient accusations and grandstanding aside, Mayor Brennan has been an effective, open, and honest leader, who has always been an unquestionable friend to the Jewish residents of University Heights. We need Mayor Brennan’s experience and approach to ensure a bright future for University Heights, and that’s why I encourage you to join me in voting to re-elect Mayor Brennan on November 2.
Shawn M. Fink
Susan’s Suggestions for the Tuesday, November 2 Elections
Voting has begun.
This is it. The general election will actually decide who sits in office. No matter who you supported in the primary, you can vote for whomever you choose in this one.
Every year I write that your vote is important. Here’s why it’s important this time. Safety – Who you choose to represent you as Mayor and on council will affect your police staffing and police support. This is your safety. Services – Cleveland Heights is in transition. Even without a transition on the way, services and the smooth running of a city depend on productive, focused and experienced representation in office. Taxes – The school board can raise or lower taxes. This is the first time our community can choose a fiscally conservative slate that promises a pro-public school position that isn’t dictated by the unions and the pro-levy campaign. Good things can happen to the district without the need to increase our property tax rate further. Real fiscal change can only happen if we all get out and vote. In the recent elections our community showed up 20 something percent which served us well in low voter turnout elections. Only by all coming out to support our candidates with 100% of registered voters can we expect to see good things in the areas of Safety, Services and Fiscal Security. This is the time. If you don’t vote, we don’t count. Please Vote –
You can still apply to vote by mail. Mail in ballots must be postmarked by Monday, November 1 or returned directly at the Board of Elections downtown. If you applied to vote by mail and didn’t, you can also vote at the polls by using a provisional ballot. Local elections effect everything – our shuls, our streets, our community. Early voting has started. By all means, everyone, please vote.
Susan’s Suggestions for the Tuesday, November 2 Elections
Voting has begun.
This is it. The general election will actually decide who sits in office. No matter who you supported in the primary, you can vote for whomever you choose in this one.
Every year I write that your vote is important. Here’s why it’s important this time. Safety – Who you choose to represent you as Mayor and on council will affect your police staffing and police support. This is your safety. Services – Cleveland Heights is in transition. Even without a transition on the way, services and the smooth running of a city depend on productive, focused and experienced representation in office. Taxes – The school board can raise or lower taxes. This is the first time our community can choose a fiscally conservative slate that promises a pro-public school position that isn’t dictated by the unions and the pro-levy campaign. Good things can happen to the district without the need to increase our property tax rate further. Real fiscal change can only happen if we all get out and vote. In the recent elections our community showed up 20 something percent which served us well in low voter turnout elections. Only by all coming out to support our candidates with 100% of registered voters can we expect to see good things in the areas of Safety, Services and Fiscal Security. This is the time. If you don’t vote, we don’t count. Please Vote –
You can still apply to vote by mail. Mail in ballots must be postmarked by Monday, November 1 or returned directly at the Board of Elections downtown. If you applied to vote by mail and didn’t, you can also vote at the polls by using a provisional ballot. Local elections effect everything – our shuls, our streets, our community. Early voting has started. By all means, everyone, please vote.
Susan’s Suggestions for the Tuesday, November 2 Elections
Voting has begun.
This is it. The general election will actually decide who sits in office. No matter who you supported in the primary, you can vote for whomever you choose in this one.
Every year I write that your vote is important. Here’s why it’s important this time. Safety – Who you choose to represent you as Mayor and on council will affect your police staffing and police support. This is your safety. Services – Cleveland Heights is in transition. Even without a transition on the way, services and the smooth running of a city depend on productive, focused and experienced representation in office. Taxes – The school board can raise or lower taxes. This is the first time our community can choose a fiscally conservative slate that promises a pro-public school position that isn’t dictated by the unions and the pro-levy campaign. Good things can happen to the district without the need to increase our property tax rate further. Real fiscal change can only happen if we all get out and vote. In the recent elections our community showed up 20 something percent which served us well in low voter turnout elections. Only by all coming out to support our candidates with 100% of registered voters can we expect to see good things in the areas of Safety, Services and Fiscal Security. This is the time. If you don’t vote, we don’t count. Please Vote –
You can still apply to vote by mail. Mail in ballots must be postmarked by Monday, November 1 or returned directly at the Board of Elections downtown. If you applied to vote by mail and didn’t, you can also vote at the polls by using a provisional ballot. Local elections effect everything – our shuls, our streets, our community. Early voting has started. By all means, everyone, please vote.
I am writing to tell you how important this election is for our city and for our community. There are challengers for Mayor. I am endorsing BARBARA BLANKFELD and she is also endorsed by 6 of the 7 members of City Council, including myself.
I am endorsing BARBARA BLANKFELD for Mayor because the next few years are too important to the city and the Jewish community. Simply put, BARBARA BLANKFELD is the only candidate who will work with the members of Council to move our city forward.
In our community honesty, integrity, and treating others kindly are key. BARBARA BLANKFELD has all of these qualities. She is fiscally responsible, follows through on what needs to be done, and listens to residents. Simply put BARBARA BLANKFELD is the best candidate for the City of University Heights.
Now is your chance to make the city even better. I have been on Council (or been to meetings as a council observer) for the last 8 years. BARBARA BLANKFELD will be the best Mayor for the City of University Heights.
This November 2nd please VOTE FOR BARBARA BLANKFELD for Mayor.
Also, there are other candidates for City Council. Please also vote for:
I have spent countless hours working to represent the Jewish community on your City Council. If you vote for these candidates, the Jewish Community will have a stronger voice in the community.
Thank you,
Vice Mayor Michele Weiss
By Jessica Chavi Cohen
On September 14th , Cleveland Heights will vote for its first mayor in over 100 years. This is a critical election with tremendous consequences for the future of our city. Only one candidate is qualified to lead Cleveland Heights as mayor: Barbara Danforth.
Cleveland Heights is a municipality with an over $50 million operating budget, over 400 employees, and about 40,000 residents. Barbara is an experienced CEO and served as a leader in city, county, and state governments. As the former Chief Prosecutor for the City of Cleveland – she knows how to get criminals off the streets and keep our neighborhoods safe. She is respected by the Cleveland Heights police department. No other candidate has the leadership, legal, or public safety experience that Barbara has. Barbara knows how to work with businesses and will focus on the economic development projects our city needs to succeed: Tudor-Taylor, Severance and more. As a lawyer and a recognized leader, she will be a tough advocate for our community to ensure the Cleveland Heights University Heights School District does not neglect Millikin School in the heart of our neighborhood. Barbara knows how to manage complex multimillion dollar budgets, hundreds of employees, and large organizations. None of the other candidates have that experience or knowledge.
This election is too important to sit by and let the other two candidates – with much less experience and leadership abilities – to take the lead.
Barbara understands and respects our community. She has lost endorsements from local liberal political groups for her moderate views on social issues. Barbara is committed to representing our interests and has the support of the Jewish Voters Association (JVote). This is a critical primary where only two of the three candidates will proceed to the general election in November. We need to make sure Barbara advances to the general election and wins.
JVOTE is the organization dedicated to representing the Orthodox Jewish community residing in Cleveland Heights. Our mission is to build bridges with our local government, elected representatives and fellow citizens to educate them on those issues and needs important to our community. JVote has endorsed Barbara as the best candidate to represent the frum community’s interests when elected as mayor of Cleveland Heights. JVote’s endorsement of Shontel Brown for U.S. Congress and our work to ensure her primary election win demonstrated the power of our communal vote. We need to demonstrate that strength again by voting for Barbara Danforth on September 14th.
If you have questions about Barbara Danforth or to request a lawn sign for your front lawn – email JVote613@gmail.com.
For questions about voting – email vote44118@gmail.com.
Learn more about Barbara at www.barbaradanforthforCHMayor.com.
Learn more about JVote at www.jvote.org.
Mayoral primary? Since when? When Cleveland Heights passed Issue 26 overwhelmingly two years ago, part of the amendment stipulated a special primary election in the event that more than two people are running. Three are running and you can vote for only one. The two top vote getters will run off in the November election which will determine who will actually be Mayor
Susan’s Endorsement – Melody Joy Hart
We have two talented women vying for the position, Councilwoman Melody Joy Hart and Barabara Danforth. Councilman Khalil Seren is also running and has voted in friendship with our community in the past, but his background lacks the management experience both women possess giving them a strong edge. Both women bring good things and different strengths to the table. What we should be looking for in a leader includes:
Knowledge of City: Hart and Seren trump Danforth here. While all have deep backgrounds of civic involvement, Hart has a longer history within Cleveland Heights while Danforth is just beginning to learn its inner workings and neighborhood individualities. Hart and Seren are currently on council. Danforth’s history is with the county and other institutions but not local to our city. Seren has been on council the longest and works in governmental affairs at the county level, and this is where his strengths lie making him, in my opinion better suited to council than mayor. Hart attended council meetings for years prior to running and has been engaged in the city otherwise as well.
Leadership Abilities: Both women have deep backgrounds working with people and managing organizations. Danforth as a CEO (City Prosecutor, YWCA) and Hart (Quaker Oats, Goodyear, Signet Jewlers, Fisher Price in a 35 year career) managing and setting up financial departments. Danforth shines as the clearly stronger speaker and is more charismatic, a quality that gave her an edge and won her the JVote endorsement. It is something that will come in handy promoting the city. Hart has the better reputation for collaboration and a reputation as a hard worker who does her research before forming an opinion. Both have extensive work and management experiences that qualify them.
Ability to lead us through the transition to the new form of government: There will be many changes needed to have city ordinance and charter keep in synch with the fact that we are moving from one branch of government to two. All candidates have been supportive of the idea, Seren being the biggest advocate. Hart worked with the campaign on promoting it. Hart also hosted several forums and located other cities who have undergone this change to learn from them. Hart possesses a deep understanding of the cultural and legal challenges we face. Danforth moderated the last one hosted by Hart, but likely has the bigger learning curve about this and city services altogether. Hart’s time on council gives her the greater knowledge of our departments making her more ready on day one to lead them.
Fiscal Management: With millions in dollars budgeted each year, our city needs someone who has an understanding of public money policy as well as strong financial experience. Failure in this area can potentially cost the tax payers much in fines, lost opportunities and interest charges if our credit ratings are not maintained. While Danforth’s work history is more diverse than Hart’s, Hart’s strength as a CPA is in financials having been hired to manage billions in international accounts and setting up the departments to carry that out during their business transition giving Hart the superior mastery on finance.
All have solid agendas and have reached out to our community with good ties, but it’s Hart’s grasp of issues important to us and her record on council that stand her apart. It’s worth mentioning that both women are seen as strong supporters of the police, and all candidates understand the problems that an empty Severence Mall creates. As a councilwoman, Hart has worked to bring the Taylor Tudor project to a point where some promise can now be seen from it. She has promoted the need for housing refurbishing in the DeSota Altemonte area and has reiterated the need to communicate with us, it’s neighbors, for input. Hart understands that there are subtleties our community would appreciate such as having the developer clued in on what makes a kosher kitchen appreciated by a Jewish family and has asked the developers to meet with and consider such standards. Most impressive was Hart’s understanding that some have created an atmosphere in their rhetoric when directed at our community about voucher usage that belies the city’s newly adopted theme of “All are Welcome” and Hart’s willingness to call it out. She also, in my opinion, has the stronger grasp in general of issues relevant to our neighborhood ranging from smaller ones like our need for more parking on Taylor instead of a the proposed bike lanes to larger ones like the development of the Milikin site and strengthening our business sector. Her record as a strong ally for our community and willingness to work closely with us should be appreciated. Vote Melody Hart
Mayoral primary? Since when? When Cleveland Heights passed Issue 26 overwhelmingly two years ago, part of the amendment stipulated a special primary election in the event that more than two people are running. Three are running and you can vote for only one. The two top vote getters will run off in the November election which will determine who will actually be Mayor
Susan’s Endorsement – Melody Joy Hart
We have two talented women vying for the position, Councilwoman Melody Joy Hart and Barabara Danforth. Councilman Khalil Seren is also running and has voted in friendship with our community in the past, but his background lacks the management experience both women possess giving them a strong edge. Both women bring good things and different strengths to the table. What we should be looking for in a leader includes:
Knowledge of City: Hart and Seren trump Danforth here. While all have deep backgrounds of civic involvement, Hart has a longer history within Cleveland Heights while Danforth is just beginning to learn its inner workings and neighborhood individualities. Hart and Seren are currently on council. Danforth’s history is with the county and other institutions but not local to our city. Seren has been on council the longest and works in governmental affairs at the county level, and this is where his strengths lie making him, in my opinion better suited to council than mayor. Hart attended council meetings for years prior to running and has been engaged in the city otherwise as well.
Leadership Abilities: Both women have deep backgrounds working with people and managing organizations. Danforth as a CEO (City Prosecutor, YWCA) and Hart (Quaker Oats, Goodyear, Signet Jewlers, Fisher Price in a 35 year career) managing and setting up financial departments. Danforth shines as the clearly stronger speaker and is more charismatic, a quality that gave her an edge and won her the JVote endorsement. It is something that will come in handy promoting the city. Hart has the better reputation for collaboration and a reputation as a hard worker who does her research before forming an opinion. Both have extensive work and management experiences that qualify them.
Ability to lead us through the transition to the new form of government: There will be many changes needed to have city ordinance and charter keep in synch with the fact that we are moving from one branch of government to two. All candidates have been supportive of the idea, Seren being the biggest advocate. Hart worked with the campaign on promoting it. Hart also hosted several forums and located other cities who have undergone this change to learn from them. Hart possesses a deep understanding of the cultural and legal challenges we face. Danforth moderated the last one hosted by Hart, but likely has the bigger learning curve about this and city services altogether. Hart’s time on council gives her the greater knowledge of our departments making her more ready on day one to lead them.
Fiscal Management: With millions in dollars budgeted each year, our city needs someone who has an understanding of public money policy as well as strong financial experience. Failure in this area can potentially cost the tax payers much in fines, lost opportunities and interest charges if our credit ratings are not maintained. While Danforth’s work history is more diverse than Hart’s, Hart’s strength as a CPA is in financials having been hired to manage billions in international accounts and setting up the departments to carry that out during their business transition giving Hart the superior mastery on finance.
All have solid agendas and have reached out to our community with good ties, but it’s Hart’s grasp of issues important to us and her record on council that stand her apart. It’s worth mentioning that both women are seen as strong supporters of the police, and all candidates understand the problems that an empty Severence Mall creates. As a councilwoman, Hart has worked to bring the Taylor Tudor project to a point where some promise can now be seen from it. She has promoted the need for housing refurbishing in the DeSota Altemonte area and has reiterated the need to communicate with us, it’s neighbors, for input. Hart understands that there are subtleties our community would appreciate such as having the developer clued in on what makes a kosher kitchen appreciated by a Jewish family and has asked the developers to meet with and consider such standards. Most impressive was Hart’s understanding that some have created an atmosphere in their rhetoric when directed at our community about voucher usage that belies the city’s newly adopted theme of “All are Welcome” and Hart’s willingness to call it out. She also, in my opinion, has the stronger grasp in general of issues relevant to our neighborhood ranging from smaller ones like our need for more parking on Taylor instead of a the proposed bike lanes to larger ones like the development of the Milikin site and strengthening our business sector. Her record as a strong ally for our community and willingness to work closely with us should be appreciated. Vote Melody Hart
My name is Phil Atkin. I am running for Mayor of UH.
I have been a member of the Shteibel, and Chabad. I have lived here in University Heights 30 years amidst a sea of beautiful homes. All those years I watched the major issues- high taxes and the expensive failing public school system, remain the same, never addressed, always ignored, only getting worse.
Miraculously, about 5 years ago everything changed when the state of Ohio inaugurated the voucher system for districts with failed school systems. Soon, people started moving here from all over the US and abroad to take advantage of the program. Then I’d see houses being enlarged, or upgraded, even brand new homes built. Home values appreciated. Restaurants and groceries opened. Formerly empty streets became full of children.
Even with this radical change, there was still no involvement by the Mayor or council. No one took a leadership position favoring the revolution going on. No one advocated guidance or expansion of the program. NO LEADERSHIP came forward for the most important factor in the life and growth of the city. No one advocated programs for the children mired in the failing school system. No one demanded improvement or alternatives for schooling, as we watched our tax rates reach near the top of the nation. No one advocated that empty schools be used by packed parochial schools, who didn’t have room to accept more students.
When the education committee of the Ohio Senate held hearings on the voucher system this past spring, they came under attack by greedy teachers unions and Public School advocates (like the Mayor). Where were our elected leaders then? Were they in Columbus touting the enormous benefits of the vouchers on our city and how there would be even greater benefits if the voucher program and school choice was expanded …. The Leaders were not there!…None of them! We almost lost the vouchers !
We need leadership to represent our needs, – not make excuses, not ignore them. THE RESIDENTS OWN THE CITY, NOT THE OFFICE HOLDERS OR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. RESIDENTS NEEDS COME FIRST! The Mayor’s job is to fight for the needs and rights of the residents.
I have a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning and went to architecture school. I worked as a senior planner for the Buffalo area regional planning board, was Director of Urban Design Services for a large engineering firm, was the planning and zoning consultant for municipalities in Western N.Y., and consultant for the Seneca Nation of Indians. I have been an award winning builder in N.Y. and Ohio. I designed and built the Chabad Center in Beachwood, condos in Clev.Hgts., Renovations in Ohio City and much more.
I want to address the important issues I mentioned, as well as bring some professionalism to the conduct of the city for the benefit of its residents. I would work with city staff to review and upgrade services. I would support our police department. I would happily work with council to respond to resident’s needs – Turning Difficulties Into Opportunities.
My website – Phil Atkin For Mayor is https://100580.campaignpartner.net. my email is atkin4uh@gmail.com
I am writing to tell you how important this election is for our city and for our community. There are challengers for Mayor. I am endorsing BARBARA BLANKFELD and she is also endorsed by 6 of the 7 members of City Council, including myself.
I am endorsing BARBARA BLANKFELD for Mayor because the next few years are too important to the city and the Jewish community. Simply put, BARBARA BLANKFELD is the only candidate who will work with the members of Council to move our city forward.
In our community honesty, integrity, and treating others kindly are key. BARBARA BLANKFELD has all of these qualities. She is fiscally responsible, follows through on what needs to be done, and listens to residents. Simply put BARBARA BLANKFELD is the best candidate for the City of University Heights.
Now is your chance to make the city even better. I have been on Council (or been to meetings as a council observer) for the last 8 years. BARBARA BLANKFELD will be the best Mayor for the City of University Heights.
This November 2nd please VOTE FOR BARBARA BLANKFELD for Mayor.
Also, there are other candidates for City Council. Please also vote for:
I have spent countless hours working to represent the Jewish community on your City Council. If you vote for these candidates, the Jewish Community will have a stronger voice in the community.
Thank you,
Vice Mayor Michele Weiss
Ask for a DEMOCRAT BALLOT and VOTE SHONTEL BROWN Congressional District 11!
If you are a Democrat and even if you are a Republican, ask for a Democrat Ballot and Vote Shontel Brown
Why should I do that if I prefer Republicans? And what about my voter registration?
The answer is that in November, when the winner of this Democrat primary runs off against the Republican, Laverne Gore, all conventional wisdom says that the winner of the Democrat primary is a shoe-in to be elected. The reason is that this is a Democrat district by design, read gerrymandered, no Republican has won since Voinovich in the 80s. In fact, in the last similar primary, the Republican did not even get 20% of the vote. In November, you can support Laverne Gore. Right now, it’s important to VOTE SHONTEL BROWN, for the following reasons:
Shontel Brown is a moderate Democrat who supports Israel – funding and self-defense, in contrast to Nina Turner – a Bernie Sanders Progressive opponent – who openly sides with Ilhan Omar and Occasio Cortez and the Sqaud echoing their anti-Semitic language, calling for an end to arms sales to Israel, and using pro terrorist, pro BDS rhetoric.
Religious freedoms are another reason. Shontel Brown has been an active Democrat in the local party for years and has experience holding office including reaching across the aisle. She has developed ties to members of our community. Those ties mean that we can hope for meaningful responses should we need to call on our representative. We can only imagine how her opponent’s extreme views will be applied to healthcare and the potential for non-halachic mandates in Bris or end of life matters. Or social reforms. To have someone who respects our religious positions in office instead of the derision we could expect from her opponent is huge.
As a Bernie/Squad acolyte, her opponent believes in an aggressive progressive agenda that proudly calls itself Socialist, advocating for the same policies that lead to poverty and failure in the countries that adopt it. Progressives from all over the country have poured funding into this election in the hopes of swinging Congress to their point of view. Out of district funding should always be a red flag. Shontel is way behind in fundraising because of this, but is ahead in support in the area where she is well respected and closing the gap in the polls. Latest polls show them tied. Our district includes Akron, but Brown’s base in mostly in Cuyahoga County. All this means it may be a very close race. Every vote we can get counts.
In order to vote for Shontel Brown you must ask for a Democrat ballot either by mail application or in person. It will change your registration to Democrat, but you can change it back at the next partisan primary.
Bonus if you live in Cleveland Heights: The next primary is only one month away, and support for Melody Hart for Mayor of Cleveland Heights is gearing up. On September 14th there will be the first ever mayoral primary with four candidates running. Again, this will be an important primary choosing the top two vote getters to run off against each other in November. Of the four, two are more progressive while two are moderate. Because local elections are non-partisan, the same candidates will appear on Republican, Democrat and Non-Partisan ballots alike, so your registration for the August 3rd primary will not affect your ability to select your preferred candidate for Mayor in the September primary. If you plan to vote by mail and live in Cleveland Heights, request all three ballots at the same time now: Special Aug 3 Congressional Primary, Special Mayoral Cleveland Heights Primary on Sept 14, and the General Election in November. To do so, each request must be separate. Do not combine the requests onto one form; use three.
For now, I can’t emphasize the importance enough: VOTE SHONTEL BROWN!
Ask for a DEMOCRAT BALLOT and VOTE SHONTEL BROWN Congressional District 11!
If you are a Democrat and even if you are a Republican, ask for a Democrat Ballot and Vote Shontel Brown
Why should I do that if I prefer Republicans? And what about my voter registration?
The answer is that in November, when the winner of this Democrat primary runs off against the Republican, Laverne Gore, all conventional wisdom says that the winner of the Democrat primary is a shoe-in to be elected. The reason is that this is a Democrat district by design, read gerrymandered, no Republican has won since Voinovich in the 80s. In fact, in the last similar primary, the Republican did not even get 20% of the vote. In November, you can support Laverne Gore. Right now, it’s important to VOTE SHONTEL BROWN, for the following reasons: [Read more…]
I am afraid that Israel advocacy might be a band-aid solution to a surgery-level problem.
This is something I’ve been holding in for a long time. I share it despite the fear of anger from some in the hope that the deeper message may shine through.
I’m not saying that Israel advocacy isn’t important. What would we do without band-aids? Paper cuts would ruin our day. Young children’s knees would be suspect to the dangers of the air’s breeze after scraping the pavement. Shirts would be stained after blood donations and vaccines. Band-aids are here to stay!
I deeply respect all of my friends and colleagues who dedicate their time and are personally passionate about Israel advocacy. It is at the very least a measured and rational contribution to an obvious problem. Anti-semitism is real. Anti-Jewish and Anti-Israel sentiment is and always has been rampant. It shows up in policies, contributes to societies of individuals looking to do harm to Jews, and is evidently making an impact on worldwide playing fields like the UN. Hundreds of millions of dollars a year pour into organizations to advocate for Israel and to teach young Jews how to do the same.
But if someone’s artery is bleeding and all you had was band-aids, of course, you’d use millions trying to solve the problem. But it won’t be enough.
Aryeh ben Yakov is a native Clevelander who moved to Israel when he was 18 years old in the 1940s. When his parents challenged his bold decision he was confused why they would want to stop him from “going home.” He fought in every war in Israel against every enemy. He now lives in a neighborhood up on a hill called Misgav Am; one of the northernmost in all of Israel. Surrounded by unfriendly neighbors, the citizens of Misgav Am are armed at all times and prepare to defend themselves from attack. Aryeh, himself, admits that he has had to wield his weapon to defend his neighborhood on more than one occasion.
After a lengthy talk to a group of my students on a trip to Israel one summer about the strategic significance of that hill and the reality of the anti-Jewish hatred we all face, one of the students asked him a simple open-ended question. “What do you think is the biggest danger to the Jewish people today?”
I’m sure that every educated person in that room was prepared for continued rhetoric about the nations that surround Israel and the necessity of having a strong defense force, etc. But Aryeh’s response widened every eye in the room. Without a moment’s hesitation, Aryeh responded, “Disunity.” He continued, “We can’t get along. We’re all family and we can’t see it. It’s killing us. That’s our biggest danger.”
His clarity was as sharp as his tongue. The reason why he was able to live in a community putting him in constant danger of his life was the same reason why I would sacrifice everything I have for my own family. To Aryeh ben Yakov, we were all family. That’s what it takes to be unified.
Aryeh’s reality sits with me until this day. Would I live in Misgav Am, dedicating my life to be the constant front line of fending off danger for the rest of Israel? Would I be willing to take a bullet so that everyone else could be in the land that belongs to us? Or would I be content just to live in that land and appreciate those who sacrificed for me? Did I really believe that every Jew is my brother or sister?
When God instructs Moshe to go up the mountain to see his last days on earth, Moshe pleads with Him to choose an appropriate leader for the Jewish people. “Do not let the nation of God be like sheep without a shepherd (Bamidbar 27:17).” Are people without a leader not enough of a plea? What is the intended message of the Jewish people being like sheep? When sheep do not have a shepherd looking over them two things can happen. The sheep can spread apart from each other, become detached from the single unit, and get lost. And the sheep can be attacked by wolves.
For some reason, we continue to see these two outcomes as disconnected.
In the tale of the 3 Little Pigs, the big-bad-wolf is able to infiltrate each of the first two pig’s houses until he gets to the third house. The first two were made of straw and sticks; those he could handle. But the third one is made of brick, which is too strong for him to breakthrough.
My brothers and sisters, the takeaway of this tale is a lie. Could the wolf not enter the third house because of the bricks? Or could he not enter the house because it was the first time all 3 pigs were together as one family?
The reason Israel Advocacy is a band-aid is that we see the world attacking us and we see the Jewish people divided and we continue to see them as disparate concepts. The best solution to a severed artery is the massive surgery needed to sew it up. It is only going to be when we care about each other like true sisters and brothers that the wolves will stop their attack. The bricks we amass through Israel advocacy absolutely must be built. The house itself is imperative. In the meantime, the more the world associates with Judaism and Israel in a positive way, the better off we all are. Even more so, the potential of Israel Advocacy to bring Jews closer to God and His land is too valuable to pass up. But in the end, if we’re not all living together in that brick house, it will soon be blown over like the rest. The anti-Semitism will continue. The anti-Israel and anti-Jew rhetoric won’t go away. The wolves won’t stop. Not until the Shepherd comes back to oversee us.
But it is first upon us to come together.
Perspective is everything. Sometimes when something goes a little wrong, it highlights how right it usually goes. The news has reported on COVID-19 vaccine side effects because it is newsworthy. Like a lot of “hot” news topics, all the attention makes it sound much more common than it is. When we are talking about these extremely [Read more…]
For a response to this article, please view “Response to mRNA Concerns“.
Any medical procedure that involves risk is preceded by informed consent. This is where you are given a list of what could go wrong, along with the chances that you will be helped if things go as planned. You then accept the risk and go ahead, or you re-think your decision.
The two current vaccine candidates set to be distributed are mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. These work by injecting mRNA coding for parts of the virus. The mRNA is taken up by your body’s cells, and is incorporated into the cells’ protein-making machinery, which then starts producing, essentially, pieces of the enemy. The immune system then recognizes these foreign viral proteins and produces antibodies against them. Later, if the person becomes infected with the real virus, it is pre-armed with antibodies ready to go, and the person doesn’t get as sick. A brilliant idea, really. Until now, vaccines worked by either injecting weakened strains of virus, or killed or partial viruses along with adjuvants (code for toxins) to better stimulate an immune response.
Excerpt from cleveland.com
On Sunday, July 26, I awoke to the news that my business, Mika’s Wig Boutique and Spa in University Heights, had been defaced by graffiti. The news was stomach-turning, but my thoughts turned first to my store manager and how she must have felt, walking up to the store that morning to see symbols of hatred painted on our walls.
It is healthy for our community, and our society, to respectfully (but passionately) debate political and other issues. I believe that a vote for President Trump is both misguided and dangerous from a Jewish point of view.
The President, from his campaign days onward, has demonstrated disdain for the rule of law. He has berated not only politicians, but journalists, judges, and others, who disagree with him as not only incorrect, but treasonous. He has consistently praised authoritarian rulers such as Vladimir Putin, leaders in whose countries you can be killed or imprisoned for opposing the government. Authoritarian regimes always lead to social intolerance, and invariably Jews are among the first to be targeted.
The President has empowered right-wing elements in our society which are anti-Semitic. His infamous comment after the Charlottesville march about there being “fine people” among those carrying torches and wearing swastikas was terrifying to anyone who knows Jewish history. Nor was this an isolated incident. He has inspired those who seek to make the United States into an exclusively white and Christian country. He has supported conspiracy theories such as QAnon which feature anti-Jewish messages and images. It is no coincidence that physical attacks against Jews are at their highest rate in decades in this country. And, while many in our community express their concern over BDS groups (as they should), these are not the people who have taken up arms to kill Jews, as we have seen occur in Pittsburgh, Monsey, and elsewhere.
The President has enacted policies which treat human beings cruelly. Can any of us – particularly after the Shoah – truly support an approach which separates children from parents? Similarly, his initial ban on travelers from selected countries, made law just after his inauguration, left innocent people stranded in airports and in strange countries, not knowing fpr days what would happen to them. In both cases, a more well-considered and humane policy could have accomplished the same goal of securing the country’s borders.
The President’s casual and careless attitude about COVID has caused the U.S. to be one of the countries worst hit by the pandemic. In fact, he has repeatedly played down the warnings of doctors and scientists, who have been trained to guide the country in such situations. We know how devastating the disease has been, and how frum communities like ours have been hit hard. Can we not expect to do better, in a country that spends more on health care than any other? And should we not also be ashamed to see fellow religious Jews, sporting Trump shirts and banners, opposing COVID restrictions by rioting in the streets and assaulting other Jews who disagree with their tactics? Could this really be how bnei Torah behave?
The President has made lying and insulting others his preferred mode of behavior. If we look at the behaviors for which we said “al chet” on Yom Kippur, we see many that have characterized his time in office: “tumat sefatayim” (making our lips unclean), “lashon hara” (speaking badly of another), “azut metzach” (arrogance), to name a few. Can we simply ignore those and give our support to a person whose conduct is antithetical to the values we revere? Can we tell our children to act one way, and enthusiastically vote for someone who embodies the opposite?
Did we not just read on Yom Kippur what is “the fast that I [Hashem] choose?” It is to “Loosen the bindings of evil, and break the slavery chain. Those who were crushed, release to freedom….Break your bread for the starving and bring dispossessed wanderers home.” (Yeshayahu 57: 6-7; translation by R’ Jonathan Sacks). Concern for the other is paramount to the Torah’s vision of a healthy society. The current Administration has not demonstrated such concern.
Some will make the argument that the President, despite his flaws, is the lesser evil of the two major candidates on the ballot. This is incorrect, for two main reasons. Jews have thrived in America because it allows freedom of religion, without the government imposing a particular set of religious and social norms. The more those norms are set by the state, the less freedom we will have to act according to our traditions. It is therefore better for us when others are also allowed to live as they choose – even when we disagree with their choices – without government interference. The Democratic Party’s policies are more likely to preserve our communal autonomy.
Secondly, the President has attempted to describe Joe Biden and all Democrats as “socialists”, people who will take away Americans’ money and liberties. It is worth remembering that key programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, among others, were opposed when first introduced, by people who feared that the government was putting itself into areas where it did not belong. We all benefit from these programs today, as well as similar government programs. Many of these would not exist if so-called “socialist” legislators had not enacted them. These were people who believed in using government to achieve social good.
We must be guided, as always, by the values of the Torah. We cannot allow them to become secondary to those of any political party or leader. Considering these values, I urge members of our community to look past the rhetoric, consider the long term, and vote for Joe Biden.
Alan Goldman
University Heights
Why we vote: Usually this is where I remind you of the importance of voting. This time, please forgive me, but I’m going to rant first. I have to get this off my chest. Voting is not enough, and not enough of you are voting!
Let’s be clear. Voting IS a mitzva. Which you ask? Kakasuv? I once heard how logically it could fit under Lo Saamod Al Dam Reicha. You never know when you or your neighbor will need something, and no askan can get an elected official’s attention to assist you or your neighbor if they don’t come from a voting Kehilla because politicians get their power from the people via their vote. So, my oft used line, we have no voice without your vote is true. Locally, I know homes that have been saved, extensions given instead of fines on violation repairs, contacts made, families with immigration status facing deportation – all resolved. This is not imaginary. It’s how the system works.
This election is too important to sit back. Everyone must vote. This is the first time that certain rabbonim have spoken to me about national issues. They impressed the need to get out every vote. Their concern is great. Our voting turnout must be too.
And yet, our recent voting record has been abysmally low That’s right. Too many have relied on their neighbors to be yotzei them with their vote. Pardon my stating the obvious, but it doesn’t work that way. One person, one vote. They only add up if you show up. You and not your friend. You and not your spouse. You and not your neighbor. There is no angel of the election upon whom to rely. Downtown, the Board of elections has records on exactly who voted and who did not. We just came through a period of Teshuva. In that spirit, let’s get our voting record back up to 95% or greater. We used to be there. We need to be there again. Stand for the kehilla. Each and every one. Please vote.
How to vote: In the news, you may have heard that vote by mail is less secure. Let me clarify. That does not refer to Ohio where we vote by absentee application. In some states, ballots are simply being mailed out without request to homes where someone is registered. Since voter rolls can be inaccurate and not updated, it’s possible for someone to have died or moved out of state and still be receiving a ballot at their old address. In Ohio, you have to request an absentee ballot by mailing in an application. That The BOE then checks the application against the signature on file . Again your signature on your ballot is rechecked. Multiple such checks make your vote in Ohio more secure, and we aren’t first timers at it here. Some of you may wish to drop off your ballot at the actual post office instead of a local drop or even downtown at the board of elections where there is video surveillance, however the odds of anyone working for the post office risking their job, pension and jail to grab a few ballots aren’t high. In summary, don’t let the news articles about fraud keep you from voting. As a swing state, we are even more important.
There will be no community drop off due to legal concerns about ballot harvesting. If you do vote by mail, do mail it in to be postmarked no later than the day before election or take it downtown personally by Tuesday, 7:30, election day.
If you requested a ballot that didn’t arrive on time or if you prefer to vote in person despite your request, you can still do that. When you get to the polls, they will have your name on a list of those having requested a ballot and will offer you instead of a regular ballot, a provisional ballot. When the votes are counted election night, yours will be held over until they can compare it with the mail in version and verify that they are only counting one.
Planning to vote by mail? Request your ballot early to avoid being late. Do it now. For more information about how to request a ballot, go to the J-Vote website or Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website.
Voting in person? Voting sites may have changed. Covid sympathetic policy has removed polling places from complexes housing the elderly. Please verify your new location at the BOE website.
Action Items: On a similar topic, there are those on JVote in Cleveland Heights, the Agudah and others that participate in the democratic process on committees and behind the scenes. Most volunteer many hours and deserve your support when they reach out for it. Respond to the emails. They are saving you money, time and effort taking up issues and doing the leg work. They are pulling the weight. Don’t make them drag you along kicking and screaming. Honestly, it’s frustrating to have to work so hard to provoke small action. We shouldn’t have to beg. Respond when asked. Please. It’s basic citizenship, and the asks aren’t that hard.
Milikin Petiton: There are a few asks on the table. J-Vote, Blanche Neighbors and Taylor Neighbors Association have teamed up to weigh on the disposition of the Milikin property in our backyard. I worked with Rhonda Davis Lovejoy to draft the petition. See articles by me and Chavi Jessica Cohen in Heights Observer if you want more details, and PLEASE sign the petition at J-Vote. Org. School Board responded to a small group of protesters when the took the proposition off the table despite its overwhelming support by CH City Hall. That group asserted the playground was prime. It can be moved and put into any new housing project easily. It’s only six swings and turnythingy. For that they recommended leaving all that acreage alone. It’s a quick click and a sign, but only if we can demonstrate overwhelming support for seeking bids to develop housing, single or townhouse, will the School Board put the project back on the table. The potential in future tax revenue to the city and school district will ameliorate the future need for raising so many funds directly from you later. It will bring profit to both the city and the district in property taxes. So unless you love your taxes going up, please take the moment and click on the petition. All Cleveland Heights University Heights adults. It is not a legal document. You do not have to be registered to vote. Please make sure all adults in your household also sign. Go on. Do it now. The rest of this article will still be here when you are done.
There, that was easy wasn’t it. Now let’s try another.
Defend the Community: IF you are on social media: Facebook or Next Door…IF you read Height Observer…IF you can string together a nice paragraph or two, we need you. And you probably know why. The amount of lies in print about our community is mounting and ugly. Worse, it remains unanswered. Our community has become the scape goat for certain advocates, but the facts are on our side though the same writers cannot be the only voices out there. I am not asking anyone to go online that isn’t already there. If you are, J-Vote is seeking to put together a small group that can respond when given the facts. We will support you with the facts on relevant topics. The rising number of such ugly calumnies should provoke a slew of (politely worded! Always politely worded) responses expressing outrage for the outrageousness of them. For the sake of brevity, I omitted the paragraphs filled with examples. When these accusations remain unanswered, the sinister images stand. We need you to stand up for us. Please! Contact J-Vote to volunteer!
Thank you for your patience reading the above and your support all these years. We need more people to become civically engaged. Please reach out if you are interested.
Please consider the following suggestions when you vote.
President: See comments below (R)
11th Congressional District: Marcia Fudge (D) or Laverne Gore (R). See comments below
State House 9th District: Janine Boyd (D)
Member of County Council: Cheryl Stevens (D)
State Board of Education 11th district: (1) Rocky Nealy
Justice for Supreme Court: (2) Judy French, Sharon Kennedy
Eighth District Court of Appeals: (2) Groves and Forbes
Court of Common Pleas (4) Callahan, McClelland, Jones, Realli
Issue 6 – Clarification of date for gathering signatures for candidates for Cleveland Heights Mayor: Yes
Issue 39 – 4.8 mil CHUH Tax Levy – See comments below
President President Trump and former VP Joe Biden leave much to be desired in their race to the White House. Both have significant deficits and yet both can point to laudable goals, and in many cases, past successes that our community should laud and appreciate.
However, in this extremely polarizing time and partisan environment, we need to look beyond the candidates themselves and look at where the current party momentum behind them is. In so many ways, the Democratic party, nationally, appears captive to an agenda that is at best, not hospitable to so many of our communities needs and interests. The contrasts and potential impact cannot be overstated Vote Republican.
Congressional District 11. Incumbent Marcia Fudge is a high ranking member of Congress. And yet, when it came to getting funding for anti-terrorist equipment for Jewish schools, she was supportive. Her constituency support has included helping our community resolve passport issues. While her voting record is troubling, in this district, her seat is considered and safe seat. She is due thanks for her support of our issue when needed. For that reason, and because we want someone in office who will take our calls and look at us favorably for the next few years, it should be simple answer that our vote should go to Marcia Fudge. These are compelling reasons.
That said, her challenger, Laverne Gore, is another Black woman singing our song on the Republican side of the aisle. She supports law and order. She supports Ed Choice, and economic development and has plans to combat the high illiteracy rates in poorer communities. It is believed that there is a Black turn, slight but perhaps enough, that is supporting President Trump that could push more votes in her direction. In 2016, Trump challenged the Black community to vote for him since they had nothing to lose. There was a slight nudge in the R column, but since, many have been pleased with his results in economy and education and see the Democrats as providing them with more of the same that hasn’t helped and don’t appreciate the race baiting.
This seat has been solidly Democrat since 1983 and held by a Black woman since 1999 making this challenge by another Black woman who is Republican fascinating. Further, Marcia Fudge is taking the race for granted and has hardly bothered to campaign here, following her pattern of not spending much time in Ohio or having much constituency support. Laverne Gore, by contrast, is not only working hard but has name recognition from her popular radio hour. Gore’s background in public health, a boon these days, and all around makes and interesting alternative.
Unfortunately, if you got the impression she might win, the answer is unlikely. The likely outcome is that she will get closer than any other republican has in any county wide race since the 80’s but not actually overtake Marcia Fudge. I have therefore not taken an opinion on what the community should do on this race when my heart is with Laverne Gore, but my head says it’s still not the smart vote. No Recommendation
Janine Boyd and Cheryl Stephens both have solidly supported our community when called upon, have a relationship with our activists and deserve our support. They know us. We know them. Please join me in voting for them for their respective offices.:
Issue 6: Cleveland Heights Charter Amendment. Last year we passed a charter amendment creating the ability to elect our own Mayor, beginning with the 2021 November election. For that to happen, there are several transition steps that Citizens for an Elected Mayor Transition Subcommittee (full disclosure, I’m on it) felt needed to happen. City council has already set the salary for Mayor, so that potential candidates can make an educated choice in deciding to run. The amendment also calls for the Mayor to appoint a City Administrator whose salary range needs to be set. There are also city ordinances that apply to the City Manager currently whose position will end when the Mayor is instated. Those ordinances should be reviewed by the legal department and flagged. The changes will be made to be consistent with the charter amendment. On some of these, there is latitude to give the power to the Mayor or keep it with Council, so council will be busy preparing prior to the transition.
An informative forum sponsored by Citizens for an Elected Mayor took place last week and will be available on line. It covered what a Mayor does and their relationship with Council and with a wonderful panel of local Mayors. Another is being scheduled to cover topics specific to the needs of Cleveland Heights and what issues will need to addressed. This too is part of the transition, and I’m just updating you what’s happening. So what is Issue 6?
The process of electing a Mayor begins with the candidate collecting signatures. If there are more than two candidates, then there will be a September special election primary and the top two vote getters would run off against one another in the general November election. Our group discovered a small problem with the original amendment wording and brought it to Council’s attention. It calls for petition signatures to be gathered a certain number of days ahead of “the election”. It’s unclear which election is intended – the primary or general election. Issue 6 is supposed to be the clarification. It is important that we get this done ahead of the first election to avoid confusion for mayoral candidates. When Citizens for an Elected Mayor brought this to council’s attention, they acted quickly to put it on the ballot.
Unfortunately, in an attempt to streamline the process, the wording sent in for the ballot by city staff also included the city council positions, but there are no primaries for council. Council candidates run all in November and the top 3 or 4 vote getters take the open seats. This inconsistency may have to be fixed later. To be fair to council, it should be noted that this problematic wording was not what council passed but a “fix” that came after by well meaning staff who sent the wording to the Board of Elections. So while this confuses the council race, it fixes the mayoral one and should be voted in even with the knowledge that we may have to vote again to fix the fix. Vote Yes on Issue 6.
Issue 69. CHUH School Levy increasing taxes by 4.8 mil for two years before another levy. There are pros and cons to this issue. It is worth noting that the electorate voted recently against a 7.9 mil levy that would have been good for 3 years. 4.8 for 2 years is almost the same thing. I am making to firm recommendation on this like I didn’t last time. For more information on both sides of the issue without my rewriting it all out, go to Jvote.com and click on each button for the yes and no campaigns. While you are there, please sign the petition asking the Board of Education to put back on the table the proposals or development of Millikin they recently took off the table. Additionally, see my article and Chavi Jessica Cohen’s article in the Heights Observer about the use of Millikin to produce income for the district. In response to questions about what level housing might end up in our backyard, the minimum of $350,000 in property values assures the district of real profit.
Also go to Heights Observer and see the letter by Tony Cuda (I’m one of the 18 signors, some are pro levy some anti) calling for adjusting our medical insurance package to something more in line with our neighboring cities. Currently, we are paying 60% more. He illustrates three ways it needs to be brought in line and the savings would be about $7 million per year.
Additional pros and cons to consider:
PRO – State funding changes have impacted the amounts coming in to the district to the detriment of the budget. Vote yes if you feel that it should be made up from the local tax base. The Board of Ed has been tougher on the Union’s demands than in the past. It is a first time, and a strike is not off the table as a result. Vote yes if you feel that supporting more income to the district will benefit our neighboring students and if you feel that supporting the board for its strong stance will empower them to continue to be fiscally responsible.
CON – Perhaps it won’t. Recently, the BOE voted not to continue negotiating with the Union holding firm on its toughest offer yet responding to the letter by Cuda mentioned above. That offer, however will only result in about 2 million in savings tops. That’s not enough to even promise the levy will last longer. After the levy, if it passes, the Unions will likely argue that the new flush budget means support for continued high benefits. Failing the levy will send the sincere message that, no matter how much we love our teachers, we cannot afford to continue paying so much more than the surrounding districts. We are already at the top of the tax rates for Ohio. In July, Cleveland Heights reported 20% unemployment. Times are tough. Some may feel that the Board should be exploring this option and developing Milikin into a tax producing property (see articles on that mentioned above) before coming back to a beleaguered constituency.
Higher taxes suppress housing values and sales according to local realtors, and hurt poor families, some of whom will lose their homes. Some of those poor have young school age children. Others are elderly on fixed incomes. We already support the district by paying the highest taxes in the state. Vote no if you feel the increase is unaffordable or counterproductive to the city.
Related Action Item Repeat
If you haven’t yet done so and no matter how you vote on the levy, please go now to sign the petition at JVote.org to support development at the Milikin site. And please contact JVote to volunteer.
COVID and Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur by Mendel Singer PDF (Full version with appendix)
We’re all tired of COVID. Tired of hearing about it. Tired of having our lives revolve around it. Tired of wearing masks, not seeing elderly relatives who are isolating. We just want things to be normal again, even more so with Rosh Hoshana/Yom Kippur coming up. Can we just have a normal yomim n’oraim? Doesn’t Klal Yisroel need it now?
We are all suffering from Corona Fatigue. Hashem, take this away! Let us daven and learn in peace, let our children have normal school.
Nonetheless, like it or not, Rosh Hoshana/Yom Kippur raises substantial and unique challenges we don’t face on a typical Shabbos and this needs to be carefully considered by shuls in their ongoing heroic efforts to maximize normalcy and safety for their kehilla, and by individual making their person choices about where to daven. In this public letter I will discuss the special health challenges of Rosh Hoshana/Yom Kippur, and end with a moshul. After that is an appendix that addresses the following questions for those willing to read longer:
Why trust me? I write from my perspective as a professor of public and population health for 25 years (and a Vice Chair for 6 years) at the distinguished medical school of Case Western Reserve University with over 70 publications in peer-reviewed journals, despite my primary focus on education. These publications include research in infectious diseases: HIV, Tuberculosis, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A and C, and antibiotic resistance in respiratory infections. I have worked with the county health department, and been honored by it with a resolution after a mumps outbreak in our community about 10 years ago. I have done one study of my own related to COVID, recently published in the top Rheumatology journal, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Since I have taken hydroxychloroquine in the past for my auto-immune disorder and am supposed to go back on it long-term, it was personally disappointing to determine that this drug provided not the slightest benefit in preventing COVID. As I tell my students, never apologize for results – the truth is the truth. Just be sure you have the right methods. I know good study design and proper statistical analysis. My opinions are totally driven by what the data says and what it doesn’t actually answer.
Let me preface the discussion by stating that as a professional I can supply information to help people and Rabbonim understand the health situation and risks. I am not going to make specific
recommendations for the following reasons:
Have rachmonis on your shul Rav! The pandemic has put enormous burden and stress on our Rabbonim. And we certainly can’t just dismiss it by saying “that’s why they get the big bucks”!
Remember to be extremely sympathetic to, and be mispallel for our Rabbonim – an amazing group that distinguishes our community.
Shalom!!! The pandemic creates a situation that is rife for machlokes, and at the time of year when shalom is most important! People are stressed and have conflicting opinions about COVID. Some of us, myself included, have had tense situations over COVID.
What are the special COVID health challenges of Rosh Hoshana/Yom Kippur?
Transmission of the virus is very dependent on the volume of exposure. Think of other viruses and when one child gets it, a sibling that sleeps in the same room is more likely to get it than other family members. And even though every family member will have some exposure, some won’t get it. Exposure is dependent on length of time, distance, air circulation, wearing face coverings to reduce how far droplets go, the force of the droplets (regular speaking voice vs. projecting one’s voice to speak loud or sing, speaking vs. coughing vs. sneezing). Volume of exposure not only matters in terms of getting infected, but it can also affect severity of infection. When a small volume of exposure does cause an infection, it is more likely to result in an asymptomatic or mild infection.
The risks posed by Rosh Hoshana/Yom Kippur are so much greater than a typical Shabbos that it requires greater vigilance for the following reasons:
I will end the main letter with a moshul (followed by an appendix). When COVID first broke out, we all searched for the cure – the treatment that was already out there that would end this pandemic. Early on there were times we got our hopes up. Some treatments worked so well in the lab! But not so well in people (this happens all the time). Then we got our hopes up that a vaccine would come quickly and end the disease. But even with heroic efforts all over the world and over a hundred different vaccines in progress and everything being fast-tracked to the extent possible while maintaining safety, it still takes longer than we hoped. We continue to wait.
Meanwhile, face masks and social distancing have been effective in reducing transmission. And we’ve been chipping away at the disease. While everyone’s attention was on a cure or a vaccine, we’ve been making progress in managing the illness and reducing mortality. Steroids have been shown to cut mortality in patients on ventilators by as much as 20-30%. Some other drugs have shown modest reductions in mortality. We’ve learned when to use ventilators and when less invasive sources of oxygen can be used (including some very creative reworking of existing equipment). The disease is still around, but all these measures together have reduced the number who are hospitalized and the number dying.
In this moshul, COVID is the yetzer hora. We often hope we can find a cure for the yetzer hora, some major transformation through radical change in our avodas Hashem. Sometimes that works. More often, it doesn’t. The vaccine represents Moshiach, the ultimate cure that completely ends the yetzer hora, which we must daven for and work towards making a reality. The face masks and social distancing – this is keeping away from situations where we are more likely to yield to the yetzer hora, as we are taught that it is better to stay away from temptation than to challenge the yetzer hora on his turf. All the treatments and improvements in clinical practice in managing the disease – this represents the little by little approach to teshuva recommended by the baalei mussar and chassidus. Yes, sometimes we can make jumps and sustain them. In between, we try to keep chipping away, improving little by little. When we stop and look back, we be quite surprised to see that we’ve come a long way! The tried and true approach to teshuva.
May our tefilos this Rosh Hoshana and Yom Kippur be successful! May we merit the ultimate spiritual vaccine, Moshiach Tzidkeinu, speedily in our days!
Kesiva v’chasima tova!
Mendel E. Singer, PhD MPH
Printable PDF of Susan Efroymson’s 2020 Primary Voting Suggestions: www.localjewishnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Susan-Efroymsons-2020-Primary-Voting-Suggestions
Due to the Coronavirus containment protocols, all polling places that are usually located in senior citizens housing will be moved. Those who normally vote on Warrensville Rd or Severance will be voting at City Hall.
This is a primary. That means that each party is electing the candidates that will square off in the November elections to determine then who will actually hold office. No matter who you support at this juncture or which party you vote for, you can still vote for whomever you choose come November and are not tied to your choices now.
In a primary you must choose to vote either as a Republican or as a Democrat (or Issues Only) and your choice defines your party until you change it by voting under a different party in another primary. Practically speaking, in our area only Democrats are elected for the lower state and county offices, therefore voting Democrat in the primaries is where the selection for those offices is made and that is why I recommend that many of us do so. Your choice now has no bearing on the general election in November.
In this election there are almost no contested Republican races. The sole race of interest is:
11th District Congressional Representative: Vote Laverne Gore
President: Joe Biden
11th District Congressional Representative: Marcia Fudge
Court of Appeals 8th District: Rinni, Forbes
State Representative 9th District: Janine Boyd
Common Pleas: O’Donnel, Realli
County Council District 10 : Cheryl Stevens
Issue 26: School District tax increase: if passed, will add $277 in annual property tax per $100K home value, for a new total of $4077, aside from any other increases.
Issue 33: Health and Human Services Renewal and small tax increase: Yes
Democratic Presidential Candidates:
When the ballots went to print, there were eleven candidates. Today, the race is only between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. So Moderate vs. Socialist: Choose Moderate – Joe Biden.
Biden is endorsed by the mainstream candidates like Kamala Harris, Buttigieg, and Klobechar. Sanders is endorsed by Jesse Jackson. Sanders surrounds himself with known anti-Semites like Susan Rice and Linda Sarsour, and is endorsed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Biden has the more friendly relationship with our community. The ties go back longer and stretch through his career, and despite his position on the Iran deal, he has been supportive of Jewish causes and values at other times in way that cannot be said of Sanders. Vote Joe Biden.
Lower offices:
Congressional Representative 11th district. Marcia Fudge has stood with our community when it came to securing anti-terrorism funding and it is our hope she will continue to respond positively when called upon.
Laverne Gore running for the same office on the Republican side has some interesting support in this district and will be worth following if she wins the nomination.
State Representative: Janine Boyd began her career in our city and comes home to Cleveland Heights Blvd., a hop skip and jump from us. As such, she is well aware of our community and its needs and was supportive of the Elected Mayor initiative at the beginning of the discussion before citizens took over. We should continue to support her because of the strong support she’s given our neighborhood when she was on City Council and continues to take our calls and support us in Columbus. Please vote for Janine Boyd.
County Council: Cheryl Stephens started her career in Cleveland Heights, retiring as Mayor before assuming County office. In her own words, “I am committed to supporting community and economic development protecting services for children, seniors, and veterans safety and sustainability and being responsible with taxpayer dollars.” She reaches out to learn of issues relevant to our community. Stephens played a role in bringing the Metro Emergency Room and hospital wing to our neighborhood and as a friend to our community deserves our support.
Judges: All selections have been solely based on Judge4yourself.com which is an amalgam of ratings of various bar associations. Because it has its biases, I try to get corroborating information from local attorneys. However this time I was unable to obtain such information and am passing along the website’s recommendations as-is.
There are two tax levies to consider. Out of order, the easiest one first.
Issue 33 – Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services tax renewal and increase of .8 mills adding $41 annually to your bill per $100,000 in home valuation
This supports the neediest in the county and many within our community have children with special needs that benefit. It is the right thing to support and frankly we wouldn’t want to live in a county devoid of these important services.
Issue 26 –CHUH School levy raising taxes 7.9 mills. At nearly 8 mills, that would add $277 annually to your tax bill bringing it up to $4077 – per $100,000 valuation. Double that if your home is valued at $200,000 etc. Most of that goes to the schools.
Aside from the Human Services Levy which is likely to pass, there are other costs coming up. In September the CH contract for recycling services expires. Unlike the previous contract which made a profit for the city, the recycling will instead begin costing $40-$80 per ton. Additionally, they will no longer take the blue plastic bags. The city is looking at providing bins for both garbage and recycling and automating our pick-ups. The costs associated with that will likely be a $2-$4 monthly increase assessed on you water bill as a landfill fee, currently at $11.50 per month. The current recommendation is that the city will provide one container each and the homeowner may purchase additional containers at the bulk pricing. Keep these other increases in mind when assessing whether to support the School Levy.
PRO
Vouchers have created a deficit in their budget making it difficult to negotiate contracts. That shortfall has caused contracts to have fallen to one year instead of three, the much stronger position to be in.
There is discussion in Columbus about rejiggering the method of school funding, which could result in more funding for the district. The Board of Education has therefore offered not to collect the tax in the event that happens however, that remains an unlikely outcome.
CON
There is a growing movement among the citizenry to contain costs at the district level and bring them in line with similar districts. They claim that a no vote will send that message to the board of education. Some of their arguments include:
The district, in recent years went far over budget when building the high school and has failed to bring per pupil costs into line with comparable districts. Salaries, benefits and other capital costs have left our per pupil cost about 1/3 higher, despite a declining student population. They also are maintaining underutilized buildings that don’t generate revenue for long periods of time. The fact is that many homeowners are struggling to pay their tax bills and take care of their own familes, while the school district employees’ salaries are continually raised. Businesses, whose revenues would raise funds for the city, choose instead to locate in other nearby cities where rates are lower.
How many seniors who planned to live out their days in their homes will be forced out? Cleveland Heights has a very low rate of seniors living within its borders because this has become the frequent worry of empty nesters.
For more information, please see the Cleveland Heights University Heights School Board website. A counterpoint view can be found at Tigernation4lowertaxes.com.
