November 5, 2008

This is a moment for celebration and healing.

First the celebration. In electing Barack Obama its 44th president, America has made good on a promise contained in its founding documents — and kept alive in the hearts of its citizens ever since. The election of our first African-American president opens a new chapter in American history and sends a message of hope and defiance to a world that has only become more intolerant in recent years. We celebrate with all of America the ascension of a young man whose biography and whose vision embrace so many aspects of the American dream.

This was a heated and hard-fought election that brought out the best and, unfortunately, the worst in Americans, American Jews no exception. Both candidates inspired voters to new heights of political engagement, and yet the Jewish family was riven by deep disagreements that hinted at deeper divides.

As we strive to work together again on the issues that unite us — a safe America, a secure Israel, a religious landscape that celebrates diversity and tolerance — let’s heal our wounds by remembering how blessed we are as a community in this time and place. Both candidates took seriously our communal agenda, pledging their support for Israel, sharing our profound concern about a nuclear Iran, and promising better times for our nation’s have-nots. This is not mere flattery, but an acknowledgement that the “Jewish agenda” is the American agenda — supporting our allies, confronting our enemies, and seeking justice for all.

Now it is up to President-elect Obama to make good on that agenda and work with allies and opponents alike to, as he declared in his victory speech, “renew this nation’s promise.” With healing to be done, and tough times ahead, our prayer for our next president is that he lead by example a nation committed to the words of Zechariah: “Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true, and make for peace.”

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