We know Mazel Tov doesn’t cut it, but we still want to send Jamaal a congratulations and thank you letter from the #JewsForJamaal family so that he knows we’ll continue to have his back in Congress. Will you sign our Mazel Tov to Jamaal?

Dear Jamaal,

We wanted to wish you a whole-hearted mazel tov — which means good luck but is how we say congratulations. Both work, we think.

We all knew it would be a long shot. We knew the establishment would not go down without a fight. We knew, especially, that some in our community would not let this one go easily.

But your margins right now, and the victory already won by the grassroots movement behind you, shocked the city and the country last night. And we wanted to express our sincere thanks for inviting us in as trusted partners in your campaign. You led with so much heart and wisdom. Your compassion has been disarming and your vision, irresistible.

We are #JewsforJamaal. We are intellectuals, Day School kids, bubbes, queers, geeks, resistance moms, carpenters, bartenders, lawyers, nurses, Rabbis, and farmers, rooted cosmopolitans and members of the diaspora. Some of us have been canvassing and phone banking for you for many months. Others of us are watching from afar, cheering you on. All of us are kvelling about you today!

In recognizing the connections between our struggles, and beautifully articulating a shared vision of humanity for everyone in NY-16, you inspired a coalition of long-time partners and unlikely allies to come together to back you. Together, we will change the common sense in this country about what is necessary and what is possible to achieve in American politics in 2020.

You already have set a new bar for what it looks like to lead with a consistent progressive vision that honors the humanity and dignity of all people, no matter where they live, standing in sharp contrast to the out of touch political establishment that has dominated our politics for far too long and tried so hard to stop you yesterday. By drawing on your personal experiences, and rooting your analysis of our problems at home and abroad in values of freedom and justice, you have already put a major dent in the taboo of speaking honestly and courageously about the humanity of Israelis and Palestinians in Washington.

This moment demands so much of each of us. We know the road to the victories we seek won’t be easy or short. But we share your analysis that this crisis demands nothing less than new, transformational vision for a more humane America — one which our teachers and nurses have everything they need while our police and our military and police forces are defunded. We can’t wait to continue working with you through the general election in November and as you head to Washington in January.

We got your back, because you got ours.

Love,
Jews for Jamaal