producer: Meir Porush.
Presented by: Doers of His word.
crowd: The Hasidic public.
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Insights: The public is (not) stupid.
I recently found out that I'm a Democrat. Yes, quite by surprise. After years of being raised to be led and guided, without any possibility of self-choice, it turned out that I was manipulated.
It turns out that the Haredim are open to new ideas and fresh winds are bringing innovations on their wings. The Haredi spring is already here.
I opened the (correct) newspaper and rubbed my eyes in disbelief. I am invited to apply for the primaries that will be held in my movement (yes, my very movement, the movement that represents me and listens to the feelings of my heart).
If I have any objections or concerns regarding the current trustee representative, who is the emissary of the great men of Israel, I can finally voice my opinion, without fear or dictation. I can simply propose an idea to a serious and legal committee, and its members will examine each idea seriously and thus formulate regulations for dealing with it.
It was amazing to realize how much we missed this product. The streets were lit up again. The shine returned to our eyes, and here the little citizen was once again the decision-maker. Everywhere you went, the only topic being discussed was 'Meir Porush did it'/'It's time for them to stop messing with us', and more.
But, when they began publishing (as you may recall, in the right newspaper) the official announcements regarding the primaries, the real surprise came. We discovered that they had raised "Working for You with Your Eyes" to a new and superior level that we had never known.
It turns out they are sure that we are a bunch of idiots and ignorant.
Otherwise, it is impossible to understand what the thinkers and committee members were thinking.
By the grace of God, I have come across a recording of the preliminary hearing, and I only hope that I will be able to convey in writing the gravity of the situation.
Agreement from most Hasidim?
Several people sat in a room and thought: How do we eat our cake and leave it whole? How do we be democratic and yet only we decide? How do we get the public to choose what is right, according to our own eyes?
These are indeed difficult and problematic questions.
Cigarettes were lit, pencils were chewed, eyebrows were furrowed, and blood pressure rose.
And here... (Tadam) the psychologist in the group jumped with joy: Hooray, gentlemen, I found it! We sit and discuss as if these are wise and sophisticated people like us. How did you forget that they are just foolish Hasidim who buy every little thing?!
Come on, the line continued.YA scholar said, "We have set criteria that They will be left with no choice but to choose the desired candidate. For example, we will decide that in order to apply, we need the agreement in principle of the majority of Hasidim.
'"Nooooo," the people immediately jumped in opposition, "you're overreacting!" Even outwardly, this won't be well received.
The psychologist gave in, and rushed to the next suggestion: Here's an upgrade - to apply, in-principle agreement will be required from only three Hasidic communities with at least 200 families. .
Hahahahaha! This is much better, compared to the death penalty.
Wait, wait, wait - someone shouted. What is the definition of "principle agreement from Hasidism"? Who is "Hasidism?" - the Rebbe/the Gabbai/the Rosh Yeshiva/the activist?
You get it, the psychologist replied. It's part of the exercise. If any candidate manages to come up with the consent of one of the above, it is claimed that they need the consent of another figure. In short: this barrier cannot be passed.
The champagne was opened, the glasses were filled, and the Jews had light and joy.
Wait, before you Drinking, The pest jumped the mast. What will happen if someone somehow manages to get the signatures, claiming that they actually want to be elected in second place? In that case, wouldn't there be a problem for any Hasidism to support someone well-known?!
Who swallows the frog?
Hess was thrown into the air. Eyes went out, foreheads furrowed, and the buzzing of the mosquito was heard loudly.
Well, what's the problem? The proposer asked/answered. You're forgetting again that we are the ones dictating the will of the voter. It was decided that the primaries are only for first place - and that's it. The proposal was well received, and as if the signal had been given, eyes lit up, brows straightened, and glasses emptied.
You can congratulate yourself on the completion.
From here on out, everything is history. Surprisingly, a candidate was elected that we really never dreamed would be elected, and this is because (again) surprisingly, no one ran for the coveted position.
Would I be petty if I asked to see the signature of the three Hasidim's consent to the winner's candidacy?
Okay, after we laughed and enjoyed some dark self-humor, now let's get to the point:
The public will swallow this frog, and perhaps even go along with the image of the 'stupid' until after the upcoming elections.
Now everyone will accept the (vague and embarrassing) excuses: we acted under time pressure/we asked the public to send in suggestions and more, as time and imagination allow.
But this restraint is only out of a sense of mission and for the sake of unity that will help get through the elections in the best possible way. Immediately after the elections, the public will return to wallowing in its humiliation and the bizarre and embarrassing performance that was here.
It is important to remember: the public did not ask for primaries, the sacred public was raised and educated on "whatever is appropriate," even within the camp, and not just in the general elections.
We could have remained silent forever even if the winning candidate had been elected (without primaries) over and over again, he and his sons after him until the end of all generations. However, once they chose to put on a 'show' - then it would have to be credible and convincing.
Because there is a fundamental difference between establishing facts without primaries and turning an entire public into a fool and ridiculous.
Ten Commandments for Conducting Decent Primaries
I think the public will demand and work to hold truly open and transparent primaries.
I think this can be achieved through the following processes:
• Establishing a governing body that will include representatives from all Hasidic sects included in 'Shlomi Emunim.' The key to representation will be: one representative for every 300 families in Hasidic sects, with one representative from Hasidic sects that do not have 300 families.
• All decisions of the body will be made after a secret ballot.
• All decisions of the body will be published in the newspaper (remember, the correct one).
• The primaries will be for all seats and the order of results will place the elected candidates on the list up to 10th place.
• Any member of one of the voting communities will be entitled to present a candidacy.
• It would be possible and even reasonable to demand a earnest money deposit in preparation for a contest.
• The primaries will be held regularly before each election campaign. When there are elections before the date set by law, then the primaries will be held up to two weeks before the deadline for submitting lists.
• The governing body will be responsible for and will hold primaries even for municipal elections.
• Of course, in local elections, the right to stand for election and vote is only granted to communities that have an active synagogue in the locality.
As mentioned, this is my suggestion, and I sit among my own people, but it is completely legitimate for others to think differently.
Remember: Your dream is that all Hasidim and groups in the Haredi camp will follow you. Primaries in the style you conducted do not advance your ambition.
Wishing you much success and with care,
Jonathan Steinberger
