An Open Letter from the Jewish Community
Dear Georgians,
Some of us have known Stacey Abrams for decades, and others have had the opportunity to meet her more recently. We are deeply troubled by those who have questioned her support of the Jewish community. As a legislator and statewide leader, Stacey Abrams has proven herself to be a staunch ally to the Jewish community, a progressive champion for all, and the most qualified candidate in the race who is ready to lead our diverse state forward from Day One. Stacey Abrams has shown us her heart through her actions, and we are proud to support her in her bid for governor.
Stacey Abrams has a longstanding relationship with the Jewish community, one that goes beyond simple statements of support and instead demonstrates constant solidarity. She is a 2003 alumna of Project Understanding. In 2011, she traveled with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to Israel through Project Interchange, and she thoughtfully participated in critical discussions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. During her tenure in the legislature, she stood with our organizations to fight bullying, to raise awareness of the terrible legacy and constant specter of genocide and to support economic ties between Georgia and Israel.
Her unequivocal support for the state of Israel and our community here in Georgia has always been clear. Abrams is a strong supporter of a two-state solution as the path to resolution of the Israel and Palestinian conflict, with Israel as the national homeland for the Jewish people. She has often spoken with the Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon and opened her doors to every request from leaders in our community. With her actions, she has supported our community’s charitable and civic work, including raising awareness and visibility for the Jewish community in the halls of the legislature.
In 2016, Abrams voted against legislation barring companies that participate in BDS from receiving state contracts, a fact which has led some to question her support for our community. While many of us supported this bill, we also are Georgians who can respect her opposition to this legislation, rooted in her deep understanding of the critical role that boycotts — such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott — played in the Civil Rights movement, and the fact that banning boycotts has been ruled as an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment. She is a friend of Israel and an opponent of BDS; however, Abrams makes public policy decisions based on protecting the free speech rights of all including the right to boycott.
Furthermore, we know that Stacey Abrams is the strongest supporter of separation of church and state in the race. Our schools, government buildings, and public spaces should be welcoming to everyone and not send a signal that Georgia belongs to some of us, and not all of us. Abrams is the only candidate in the race for governor who voted against a bill to put a 10 Commandments monument on Capitol grounds. Three other candidates on both sides of the aisle voted for this clearly unconstitutional law. Georgia leaders should be working on improving our schools, our economy and working for justice, not wasting time and taxpayer dollars on efforts like these.
Stacey Abrams imagines a better future for every Georgian and has a plan to make it happen. Most importantly, she listens to all Georgians, no matter who they are or where they come from and takes the time to understand the issues that impact them. Her longstanding relationship with our community and commitment to addressing all our concerns with honesty — no matter how painful — has made us certain that she is the most principled, qualified, and visionary leader in the race for governor. We trust her leadership and are proud to support her gubernatorial campaign.
Signed,
Abby L Friedman
Alyce Lappin
Andrew Feiler
Ariela Freedman
Benjamin Kweskin
Beth and Edward Sugarman
Beth-Ann Buitekant
C. Freedman
Crystal Stubbs
Dana Geller
Darla Jaben
David Holzman
Debi Shendelman
Dianne Harnell Cohen
Donna Aranson
Dotan Zebrowitz Harpak
Dottie Cohen
Elaine B. Alexander
Elizabeth Finn Johnson
Ellen Schornstein Williams
Eve Hoffman
F. Kahn
Gail H. Evans
Gary Flack
Gina Titelman
Glen Paul Freedman
Gus Kaufman, Ph.D.
Harry Barnett
Harry J Heiman
Howard Maziar
J. Effron
J.D. Allen MD
Jeanney Kutner
Jenny Hoffner
Jerry Freedman
Jessica Lowy
Johanna Norry
Jon Sinton
Jonathan Mann
Kayla Engle-Lewis
L Brenner
Laurel Snyder
Leah Fuhr
Leslie H. Gordon
Lin Koperwas
Lois Frank
M. Lappin
Marion Risinger
Martin Emanuel
Matt Bronfman
Michelle Maziar
Miranda Shapiro
Nate Juster
Paul Root Wolpe
Rabbi Joshua Lesser
Rachel Silverman
Robin Heller
Sadie Holzman
Sandra Menes
Seth Persily
Shelby Senzer
Sherry Frank
Stephanie Davis
Susan J. Berlin
Theresa Prestwood
Tonia C. Sellers
