Havdalah for Harris Event Sponsored by Meck Chapter of the NCDP Jewish Caucus

Allen Saxe leading the lovely Havdalah service and explaining that we are stronger when united and entwined (like the wicks of the Havdalah candle) than when we act alone.

by Amy Lefkof

“It was an inspiring and lovely event,” said Eileen Paroff, who attended the Havdalah for Harris event sponsored by the Mecklenburg Chapter of the NCDP Jewish Caucus on Saturday evening, October 5th.   Around 30 people gathered in the wooded, serene backyard of caucus members Ken Schorr and Jane Marcus to participate in the Havdalah service led by caucus member Allen Saxe — he just happens to be married to Schorr’s sister, Jessica Schorr Saxe.  Afterwards, attendees —planning where, during this final sprint, to volunteer and donate next — mingled among cakes, brownies, cookies, halva and wine for a sweet Jewish New Year 5785.   All agreed that the new year should be filled with joy, not chaos.

The highlight of the evening was Allen Saxe leading the Havdalah service (he just celebrated his 80th birthday a week before). Michelle Obama said “do something” — and leading the Havdalah Service was Allen’s something.  In the beautiful quiet of the backyard, Allen passed out several braided candles, several boxes of spices (some wooden, some ceramic), and talked about how just as three wicks produce more light than three single candles, so, too, we are stronger when we come together.  Then our light is brighter (like the intertwined wicks of the Havdalah candle). When the glowing candles were extinguished in the wine, you could only hear the sounds of the crickets.  It was truly a lovely way to mark the separation between the Sabbath and the work week.  And now that the Sabbath was over, Saxe told us to get busy with the remaining work of the campaign. 

In addition to Ary Kumar, a field worker from the Harris Walz campaign, three candidates for the NC House spoke: Nicole Sidman (HD 105)(where she is running against turncoat Tricia Cotham), Beth Helfrich (HD 98)(Davidson), and Julia Greenfield, running unopposed for HD 100. All three women spoke earnestly about family (Helfrich is the mother of five), community (Sidman is the Director of Congregational Life at Charlotte’s Temple Beth El), support for public schools and small businesses, and, of course, women’s reproductive rights (Greenfield escorts women at a Charlotte health care center which provides abortion care).  

A variety of campaign merchandise was on hand: Caucus member Rebecca Freiert made a large number of beaded bracelets for attendees to take and give away (the bracelets sport such phrases as Madam President, Not Going Back, Kamala and Coach 2024, Turn North Carolina Blue).   “I’m voting for Kamala Harris” and “I am woman watch me vote” bumper stickers were available. “Comma-la” buttons in Hebrew were available and worn by almost everyone –  imagine a pink button with a large white comma, and inside the comma were the Hebrew letters lamed and hay.  And for a feminist photo op, there was a portrait of RBG done by local artist Casey Wright.

Ary Kumar from the Coordinated Campaign, signed up attendees to work on canvassing, to make phone calls, and to pass out blue ballots.  And Ken Schorr encouraged others to sign up to be poll watchers, a task he has volunteered to do for 20 years.  

Marla Shapiro shared a QR code for a sweet opportunity:  “Taking Back NC one cupcake at a time,” a fundraiser she has launched to aid the campaigns of Nicole Sidman (HD 105) and Woodson Bradley (SD 42).  For each donation of at least $25, four homemade cupcakes will be delivered, and for $50 or more they’ll add a bag of NC Blue Wave cookies.  Questions?  Email bakebackbetternc@gmail.com

The seriousness of this presidential election was reflected in a statement at the beginning of the event by Meck Chapter President Amy Lefkof who noted that Jewish Americans are particularly sensitive to Trump’s xenophobic comments.  Jews know by heart the words of Emma Lazarus inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty and thus reject the Trump/Vance targeted attacks on Haitians, Trump’s threat to renew his Muslim bans, Trump labeling asylum seekers at our southern border as “rapists” and “animals,” and his threat to scapegoat Jews if he loses the election — “the Jewish people would have a lot to do with it.” 

In closing, Jeff Bierer, President of the statewide NCDPJC, spoke about the vision and mission of the NCDPJC,  and promoted the last caucus event of this election cycle:  a zoom fundraiser on October 15th from 7-8 p.m. for caucus members Nicole Sidman (Candidate for HD 105) and Jon Berger (Candidate for HD 20).    

Bierer stressed that the brand new Jewish Caucus is already living up to its vision: helping elect Democratic candidates at every level by contributing Jewish voices and values, creating a welcoming place for Jews, and strengthening the Party.   And the NCDPJC is working hard to fulfill its 5-prong mission: engaging the Jewish community to become more involved in volunteering, registering and turning out Democratic voters and donors; serving as a resource for the NC Democratic Party on issues related to Judaism and the Jewish community; combating antisemitism and bigotry in all its forms; supporting the Democratic Party platform that calls for a negotiated 2-state solution; and harnessing the Jewish concept of repairing the world — tikkun olam.