Hi. There seems to be a misconception about how Lakewood votes. I’d like to offer some perspective from the “Lakewood side” for those who are not part of the Orthodox Jewish community.

The idea is not at all that all Democrats are bad. In fact, one of our religious state representatives is a Democrat, and so is the mayor.

However, today, many people in power (with a few exceptions) are highly polarized, often resulting in extreme opinions and actions. While Orthodox Jews agree with many Democratic ideas and opinions, as a whole, we align more closely with Republican values. For example, many Democrats promote introducing sex education and what we consider inappropriate books in schools. Yes, this currently applies only to public schools, and we have no right to interfere or impose our values on those who send their children there. We respect and understand that people have different value systems. However, such policies often end up affecting private schools and public libraries as well, which does impact us.

Additionally, looking at the way many Democrats in Congress have voted, the party as a whole tends to suppress expressions of religion or references to God in public spaces. Of course, there is separation of church and state, but this country was also founded on basic religious principles and a general belief in God—just look at our currency and you’ll see that reflected.

There are many other issues that seem to fall along party lines, but as a general rule, especially today, Republican ideas and actions tend to align more closely with our moral compass and values. This is not to say that the values or morals of Democrats are invalid or wrong. Everyone must follow their conscience and vote accordingly.

The Vaad is simply a reflection of the Orthodox Jewish community as a whole. They do not tell us how to vote; they simply express what many already believe and feel. Some people are less informed due to lack of internet access or news sources, so the Vaad helps them understand the current political climate.

Of course, the Vaad also publicizes its statements to emphasize that Lakewood is a large and unified voting bloc. There is no reason they shouldn’t—every organization in the world advocates for its interests. You can’t blame a voting bloc for making its presence known in order to get attention to its needs—and yes, sometimes favors as well. Do you think donors give money to candidates solely based on principles? Some do, but many large donors do not.

It’s no secret that mistakes were made in the development of Lakewood. The streets can’t handle the traffic, and the infrastructure is lacking. Yes, it should not have happened to begin with, but now that these problems exist, officials need to be aware that while Lakewood is a thriving town, it still needs attention and improvement. It also desperately needs regulations to prevent further issues. The school system is also broken. It is beyond the power of local officials to fix. There is a real need for Trenton and the governor to address Lakewood’s situation. By drawing national attention, the hope is that the new governor will make changes—providing funding, building in the right places and amounts, and restricting development where necessary.

Bottom line: this has nothing to do with supremacy, forcing religious beliefs on others, greed, or exploiting the system (at least not for most of Lakewood’s citizens). It is simply about aligning ourselves with anyone—of any party—who we believe will best represent our values, and will prevent laws or policies that would negatively affect us. We are all hoping and praying that this new governor will make sensible decisions that allow Lakewood to continue growing—but in a responsible and sustainable way.

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