As Michigan’s Senate race heats up, the candidacy of Abdul El-Sayed has stirred considerable debate among Jewish voters. Concerns over El-Sayed’s stance on Israel and his initial comments following an attack on a synagogue in West Bloomfield have led to divisions within this small yet potentially influential voter group.
Despite making up roughly 1.5% of Michigan’s voters, Jewish constituents could play a pivotal role in a close election. Many are signing opposing petitions either supporting El-Sayed or standing against him, with even lifelong Democrats facing tough choices in this race.
“We are bringing people together to engage in healthy, constructive dialogue,” said Alicia Chandler, a Jewish community leader, to a small gathering in Detroit. “Unfortunately, that’s not something we see all the time in our communities. We have a lot of vitriol and social media yelling.”
These gatherings, organized by Michigan Jews for Democracy who support El-Sayed, aim to facilitate conversations among undecided voters. Prominent Jewish Democrats, like former Congressman Andy Levin and New York candidate Brad Lander, participate in these discussions.
At a recent Detroit event, Chandler and Illinois congressional candidate Daniel Biss addressed issues of Jewish safety. Biss recounted his own experiences with antisemitism while serving as mayor of Evanston, illustrating the real concerns faced by the community.
Biss acknowledged that some of El-Sayed’s comments have “landed imperfectly with some people,” but he supports El-Sayed for his understanding of shared safety concerns. “A guy who knows in his bones that his kids’ safety as Muslim children is tied to Jewish children’s safety,” he said.
“The Jewish community is not feeling safe”
El-Sayed’s critical remarks about Israel, including calling it “not an ally” and describing its actions as “bloodthirsty,” have sparked concern. His response to the West Bloomfield synagogue attack, described as dismissive by some, was later apologized for.
Rabbi Josh Whinston emphasized the community’s unease, noting that El-Sayed’s lack of engagement with Jewish voters could impact his support. Whinston’s campaign urges El-Sayed to commit to five “nonnegotiables,” including Jewish safety and Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
While some Jewish voters may support El-Sayed’s opponents, Whinston finds supporting Republican Mike Rogers untenable. As the election approaches, Whinston remains undecided, reflecting the broader uncertainty among Jewish voters.
“I feel good about voting for him”
Laura Kohn, a resident of Huntington Woods, expressed mixed feelings about El-Sayed but has already cast her vote for him. She acknowledged the candidate’s lack of connection with Jewish sentiments but remains hopeful.
Former Congressman Andy Levin encouraged Jewish Democrats to follow the example of Senator Elissa Slotkin, who has endorsed El-Sayed. Levin noted the rarity of Muslim representation in Congress, highlighting the potential historic significance of El-Sayed’s candidacy.
During the discussion, Caroline Trapp from Farmington Hills expressed concern about antisemitism but valued the evening’s insights. Despite her worries, she believes electing a Republican senator is not an option and feels more confident in her decision after the event.
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