News

What’s So Jewish About Participating in Democracy?

Author

Hillel International

Date

November 4, 2024

Casting a vote is one of the most significant ways you can make a difference in shaping the future, and Hillel International is working hard to provide Jewish college students—and all students—with the education and resources they need to mobilize and vote this Election Day.

“We have this big civic engagement push that we call MitzVote,” Dani Levine, senior director of Social Impact at Hillel International, said recently on “Faith in Elections,” a podcast series presented by Voices of Interfaith America that highlights incredible stories of faith, and the community leaders who are bridging divides across American civic life. “M-I-T-Z-V-O-T-E. It’s a pun on the Hebrew word mitzvah, mitzvot, the plural, which means commandment or obligation, and of course, vote, V-O-T-E. We sometimes joke that voting is the final commandment.”

MitzVote, powered by Hillel International, is nonpartisan, issue-neutral, and focused fully on civic engagement — utilizing Jewish wisdom to support students in accessing civic education, including resources about voting, and celebrating their engagement in our democratic process.

In fact, Jewish tradition has a lot to say about participating in democracy, going all the way back to the Torah. The Book of Jeremiah says, “And seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). Jeremiah teaches us that we are responsible for the well-being of the societies in which we live, and that by caring for those broader communities, we will uplift our own Jewish communities as well. 

“Jewish people are a minority in this country, and we have been able to thrive because we have a strong democracy that protects minorities,” Levine said on the “Faith in Elections” podcast. “For our students, we want to help them think about, ‘What are the things you care about? How can you act on your values, and how can civic engagement and voting as one part of civic engagement be a part of acting on your values?’”

Many Jewish college students will be voting this year for the first time. Since the 2022 election season, nearly 8 million new potential voters have reached voting age — and  Gen Z is voting at higher rates than previous generations did at the same age. 

MitzVote is here to help college students keep up that momentum by making voting easier — like, a lot easier. We’ve teamed up with some amazing civic engagement organizations like MotiVote to help you check your voter registration, find your polling place, research what’s on your ballot (don’t forget those state and local races!), and make a plan to vote. And if you really want to go above and beyond, you can make a plan to get your friends to the polls as well!

“In my own practice, I think there’s a quote I come back to: ‘Pray as if everything depends on God, act as if everything depends on you,’” said Levine. “When we have the tools to act, we have to act.”

MitzVote is just one tool to help you take action this election season. Your vote is your voice, and we can’t wait to help you along your 2024 voting journey. You’ve got this — let’s make a difference together!

To learn more about the MitzVote initiative, explore Jewish texts and teachings about civic engagement, and make a plan to vote, visit hillel.org/mitzvote today!

The post What’s So Jewish About Participating in Democracy? appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Voting 101, Supported by MitzVote

Author

Hillel International

Date

September 17, 2024

How do you register to vote? Where do you vote if you’re registered in a different state than where you go to college? Can anyone register to vote by mail? Do you have to bring an ID to a polling station? These questions and others may make figuring out how to vote as a college student feel daunting and overwhelming.

But as this election season kicks into high gear, MitzVote – Hillel International’s nonpartisan initiative to provide Jewish college students with the education and resources they need to mobilize and vote in elections – can help. The first step to casting your vote (yay, democracy!) is making a plan. Here’s how to get started.

1. Find out when elections are being held.
   
   While the upcoming U.S. presidential election will be held on November 5, it may not be the only one you can participate in. In fact, November isn’t even the only time of year that elections take place. From local and state to federal-level elections, we’ve created an easy tool to help you find out when all elections near you are being held — just plug in your address to get started.
   
2. Register to vote or check your voter registration status.
   
   After finding when your elections are being held, it’s important to verify your voter registration status online or through local election offices to ensure you are able to participate in upcoming elections.
   
   Extra tip: If you’re currently registered to vote in your home state but want to vote in the state where you go to school, make sure you check the eligibility requirements, and that you have enough time to update your voter registration status.
   
3. Decide how you’re going to cast your vote.
   
   Depending on your state laws, there are lots of ways to vote, from mail-in ballots to in-person early voting and in-person day-of voting. Here are some tips for navigating which option is the best fit for you.
   
   Extra tip: Planning to vote in person? Make it an outing! Find a few friends and invite them to come along… and of course, make sure they’re ready to cast their votes, too!
   
4. Vote!
   
   Do the thing! And make sure to celebrate after. You exercised your right to vote, and played an important part in our democratic process!

Already registered to vote, checked that your registration is up-to-date, and made your voting plan? There are still a ton of ways you can get involved and help make a difference this election season. From hosting a MitzVote Shabbat to writing letters to poll workers (they deserve all the thank-you notes in the world!) to helping register voters, MitzVote has everything you need to get started. Make your plan and join the MitzVote movement today.

The post Voting 101, Supported by MitzVote appeared first on Hillel International.