[Torn]

It has already been mentioned that US law prohibits tax exempt organizations from endorsing any candidate in any election. For years however R Herman Nueberger of Ner Israel yeshiva in Baltimore, along with leaders with many other yeshivas and organizations, have taken steps to publicize the names of the candidaaes whom they will personally vote for (though in the case of R nueberger he does not even live in all relevant districts).

What do you think? Is this proper? (Is it legal?)

Below is an email circulated by Ner Israel yeshiva...

-----Original Message-----
From: Moshe Pelberg
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 11:20 AM
To:
Subject: The election


Dear Alumni:

Rabbi Neuberger issued a notice listing the candidates for whom he is
voting. If you live outside of Maryland, the only candidate that is
relevant to you is President of the United States.

President of the United States of America George W. Bush

United States Senate Barbara Mikulski

United States Representative - 3rd District Benjamin Cardin

Judge Joseph Murphy Retain

Baltimore County Circuit Court Retain 4 sitting Judges

Baltimore City mayor Martin O'Malley

City Council, in the NW Baltimore area Rochelle (Rikki) Spector



Moshe

[politico]

it's "iffy" but not illegal.

[Torn]

politico, on Nov 1 2004, 09:38 AM, said:

it's "iffy" but not illegal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is iffines what people expect from a respected yeshiva??

[aishel]

If you look at the letter, it just says that those are the people he is voting for. It makes no actual endorsement. Like politico said, its iffy, but it works.

[Torn]

So basically its within the letter of the law but not within the spirit of the law.

Is that what we expect from institutions such as Ner Israel. Should we lead our lives in the same manner?

[NIRC1]

The letter that is posted each election clearly states; people have asked me who I am voting for, and then he states who he is voting for. Their is nothing illegal or even borderline about that as it is not an endorsement. The NAACP case is different as they didn't only endorse Kerry, they blasted Bush.

[nircland]

Is that what we expect from institutions such as Ner Israel. Should we lead our lives in the same manner?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[/quote]


Do you have anything personal against NIRC? Because, R' Shmuel Kamanetsky, The Roshei Yeshivas of BMG/Lakewood and many others have all made it very public and very clear who they are voting for and who they expect others to vote for.

[SS613]

Why would he vote for Barbara Mikulski for United States Senate?

[NIRC1]

SS613, on Nov 1 2004, 12:22 PM, said:

Why would he vote for Barbara Mikulski for United States Senate?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

She has a warm and longstanding relationship with the Orthodox community.

[Torn]

nircland, on Nov 1 2004, 12:21 PM, said:

Do you have anything personal against NIRC?  Because, R' Shmuel Kamanetsky, The Roshei Yeshivas of BMG/Lakewood and many others have all made it very public and very clear who they are voting for and who they expect others to vote for.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am not singling out NIRC. I mentioned in the original post that other leaders do the same...

[SS613]

NIRC1, on Nov 1 2004, 12:27 PM, said:

SS613, on Nov 1 2004, 12:22 PM, said:

Why would he vote for Barbara Mikulski for United States Senate?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

She has a warm and longstanding relationship with the Orthodox community.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is nice. I'm sure she is a nice woman. But what values does she share with us?

---------
My husband points out that it is good to stay in good graces with a liberal senator in a state that will always go blue, since a senator can throw money "our way." He also says it makes the Orthodox Jewish community look "non-partisan."

One of my biggest pet peeves is Yeshivot that honor senators/assemblymen(women) who are blatently and outspokenly liberal in their views on certain subjects. I'd rather forgo funds than pretend that the collective we shares values with senators like Barbara Boxer.

[geshtunken]

All I know is R' Neuberger has significant power and pull in politics, and if this helps, more power to him. I was at NIRC a couple of years back when there was an issue about vouchers that came up, and a couple of congressmen and a high ranking church official came for lunch to the executive dining room to discuss the matter with R' N.

[Melech]

SS613, on Nov 2 2004, 08:59 PM, said:

  I'd rather forgo funds than pretend that the collective we shares values with senators like Barbara Boxer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unfortunately, your sentiment isn't shared by many institutions who will prostitute themselves for funding from questionable sources.

[SS613]

Unfortunately not. And it sends the message that the almighty dollar rules.

[Melech]

SS613, on Nov 3 2004, 11:20 AM, said:

Unfortunately not.  And it sends the message that the almighty dollar rules.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Next thing you know torah institutions will use lotteries and Chinese auctions to raise funds and accept donations from the non-observant and Federations and accept inappropriate students from wealthy families.

[SS613]

Oh goodness melech. Start a new thread! Fundraising through promoting gambling, a stumbling block for the blind?

Never mind. . . . I'll start it!

[Melech]

SS613, on Nov 3 2004, 11:31 AM, said:

Oh goodness melech.  Start a new thread!  Fundraising through promoting gambling, a stumbling block for the blind? 

Never mind. . . . I'll start it!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A stumbling block for the blind is when you are not sinning but cause someone else to sin. Here they are themselves sinning through their involvement in gambling.

[Kol Mevaser Mevaser Veomer]

He is not so powerful any more. He could not stop a Public school being built on his (NIRC's) door step. He got blown out here.

[Pure Myrrh]

melech, on Nov 3 2004, 12:33 PM, said:

A stumbling block for the blind is when you are not sinning but cause someone else to sin.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

However, since causing a stumbling block for the blind is in itself a sin, one who does so is in fact commiting a sin through his act.

[SS613]

If you want to discuss gambling and fundraising, check the new thread and post comments there.