As Election Day nears, let’s do the right thing for America, no matter how hard | Opinion

On Election Day, Americans will go to the polls for the last time to vote for the next president of the United States of America.

And by this time next week, we will be humming “Hail to the Chief” to a new leader (assuming there aren’t any issues with the election).

As I have said many times before, voting is one of our most precious privileges. Just think about it: The American people — that includes you and me — get to choose who will lead our country for the next four years.

But there is a dark side to this election season. There have been rumors that there will be random violence on Election Day, and even more violence after the election, if former President Donald Trump is not elected. In fact, at an event for a Republican Senate candidate in Ohio in March, Trump warned of a “bloodbath” if he didn’t win.

This is a fear tactic. Please don’t buy into it. Let’s stand together, and be the fearless, freedom-loving Americans that we are and support the candidate that the people vote in — even if it’s Trump.

I admit, this might not be easy considering some of the disturbing rhetoric that we have heard from the Trump camp throughout the campaign.

For some Americans, it won’t be easy to support a man who is such a sore loser that he has never accepted that many Americans did not want him in the White House again. Thus, the Big Lie was started.

It won’t be easy to support a man who incited a mob that stormed our nation’s capital on Jan. 6, 2021, where human lives were lost and where his own vice president’s life was at risk.

It won’t be easy to support a man who publicly mocked a disabled person, and who has nothing but disdain for the men and who men who served the country in the U.S. Armed Forces, some even sacrificing their lives for the country that he wants to lead.

It won’t be easy to support a man who has tried to divide the country with racists remarks, who has unashamedly disrespected women, and who has so few scruples that he had a Bible bearing his name published. (I’m sure he could not quote a single Bible verse.)

Yet, he is shameless enough to want you and me to believe that he loves the Lord. He cannot love the Lord and be so full of hate at the same time.

Still, as shameful as his actions are, some folks are gullible enough to believe him. They smile and say how wonderful it is when they see him standing, holding up a Bible. What they didn’t see was the smirk on his face.

Some of you might say that I am judging him. I am not. I know that the loving and wise God that many of us love and serve is forgiving, and tells us to love even our enemies (which, I admit, isn’t always easy to do).

Still, when a person follows the teaching of the Lord, the world will see a change in that person’s attitude. The same Bible that Trump hides behind also tells us that we will know a tree by its fruit. Dear Americans, an apple tree cannot bear oranges.

So here we are, on the cusp of a new era, not knowing what the future holds for us. We do know that if we pull together and try in our hearts to do the right thing for America, we can get through anything. Even another Trump presidency.

So, as we wrap up another presidential election, let us remember that voting is a privilege, my friends, that is not to be abused. Let us exercise this right that symbolizes our freedom, with dignity and thanksgiving, and leave the rest to God.

Film about Adolf Eichman’s trial

The Holocaust Teacher Institute and Dr. Miriam Klein Kassenoff, founder of the “Screening the Holocaust” series, invite the community to the screening of “June Zero.” The film, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Dr.

Jake Paltrow, the film’s director, will be there.

“June Zero” examines the trial of Adolf Eichman, the Nazi architect of the mass extermination of Jews during World War II. The film depicts the events preceding Eichmann’s execution.

Relationship course

A six-week course, entitled “Nurturing Relationships” will begin at 7:30 p.m. Nov 13 at Chabad in Coral Gables, 1827 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Developed by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and taught by Rabbi Avraham Stolik, the course will offer practical tools to improve family bonds, workplace dynamics and friendships.

The course draws on 30 centuries of Jewish teaching to learn how to connect more with people — from empathy, active listening and healthy disagreement.

“Everyone is welcome”, Rabbi Stolik said. “You don’t need any Jewish learning background to fully appreciate this course.”

Interested persons may call 305-490-7572 or visit ChabadGables.com/JLI to register.