By Jacki Karsh, JNS
When Jews run for office, they don’t just fill a seat. They shift the atmosphere for the entire community.
As Jewish families around the world sat down for their Passover seder, an armed man showed up at the Harrisburg home of Pennsylvania’s Jewish governor, Josh Shapiro, with the intent to murder him and his family for “what he wants to do to Palestinian people.”
It’s tempting to let a story like this pass us by, as shocking as it is. The news cycle is relentless, and the threats against Jews have become so commonplace that they almost blur into one. But we must stop and take this in: Someone tried to burn alive an elected Jewish governor and his family on one of the most sacred nights of the Jewish calendar.
Despite the devastation to the governor’s mansion and the horrifying reality of being targeted, Shapiro didn’t cancel his second seder. Instead, he stood before the press and reaffirmed his faith. He showed up—publicly, proudly and defiantly—as a Jew.
Is there a response more Jewish than that? Hardly. But how should the rest of us respond? One idea: Produce more Jewish leaders like him. Shapiro reminded us what moral clarity looks like under fire. But he cannot and should not stand alone. His example should become a blueprint. We need to produce more Jewish leaders who are not only unafraid to say they’re Jewish but who say it with pride, strength and responsibility. There are certainly incredible Jewish leaders at all levels of government right now, but maybe the answer to rising antisemitism is that even more Jews should be considering political runs.
What the antisemites want is simple: for us to disappear. To apologize for our presence. To be silent. To hide. To blend in. To disavow who we are. To reject our heritage, our tradition, our nationhood. That is why the most powerful response is to step forward into leadership, into civic life, into visibility. Because leadership is protection, and participation yields meaningful action.
Jewish values—justice, education, family, tradition—are American values. They belong in city halls, zoning commissions, mayors’ offices and on school boards. They are not just compatible with democracy; they are essential to it. This moment is a call to action.
A Jewish school-board member can challenge Jew-hatred in K-12 classrooms. A Jewish city council member can implement security protections for synagogues and Jewish day schools. A Jewish mayor can challenge universities that don't protect their Jewish students.
To be clear, not all leadership strengthens our community. We don’t need more Jewish politicians who weaponize their identity to turn against their own people or who undermine the one Jewish state. We need leaders who speak for all of us, of tradition, of unapologetic Jewish pride, and who are proud supporters of Israel.
We can't overlook the importance of Jewish leadership at a local level. Consider Beverly Hills, where, just weeks ago, Sharona Nazarian—the daughter of Iranian Jewish immigrants—was sworn in as mayor. Her inauguration ceremony began with Rabbi Nicole Guzik reciting the Shehecheyanu prayer, followed by Jewish schoolchildren singing Matisyahu’s “One Day.” Nazarian then took her oath with her hand placed on her grandfather’s battered siddur that had been recovered from Iran after he was forced to flee from religious persecution. She even went further. In her mayoral address, she launched a local initiative titled “Never again is now” to safeguard the city’s Jewish community from the rising tide of antisemitism.
Her leadership is more than symbolic. It’s effective. After the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Beverly Hills, under Jewish leadership, was among the first cities to stand publicly with Israel and against hate. The city is now working to establish a permanent memorial for those who were murdered. That doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because Jews are in the room, making decisions, shaping policy and leading.
Imagine if more cities and counties had that kind of leadership to protect their Jewish communities. Imagine if more Jews followed her example into local office.
Jews are safest when we are seen out in the world as the change-makers we are. We are strongest when we are engaged in the diverse ecosystem that surrounds us. And we are at our best when we lead—not in whispers but in full voice.
When Jews run for office, they don’t just fill a seat. They shift the atmosphere for the entire community.
So, yes, celebrate our Jewish American leaders. But, above all, consider joining them. Run. Speak. Lead. Be the Jew who shows up—publicly, proudly and unapologetically.
