Check out the amazing and impactful work that Jon Cohen, Keshet Director of Community Mobilization, is up to this midterm election season…and that you can be a part of too!

Tell me a little bit about yourself and the work you do at Keshet.

I was born and raised in South Florida, and in my work as Keshet’s Director of Community Mobilization, I am a community builder and organizer. From an early age and before working at Keshet, I was always inspired by community action and organizing. My first time working on a campaign was in 10th grade, when we lobbied for increased public school funding. Since then, I have been doing community-building work and catalyzing people to make their voices heard on the things they care about.

My work at Keshet is about helping Jewish communities across the country learn about and take action on LGBTQ+ equality, and making the Jewish case for turning our shared values into action. I work with everyone from rabbis and federation leaders to youth, educators, and community organizers, and a big part of my role is building relationships across differences and helping people find a way into this work that feels authentic to them. I also represent Keshet in broader coalitions and work to make sure Jewish voices and experiences are part of conversations about justice, coalition building, and collective liberation.

What does Judaism teach us about showing up and making our voices heard? 

Judaism has a really strong tradition of reminding us that we have an obligation to be part of our communities and not stand on the sidelines. We have a resource that shares 7 Jewish values for social action, and one of my personal favorites is (Lo Taamod al Dam Reiecha) “Do not stand idly by.”  Our tradition repeatedly asks us to speak up, take responsibility, and work toward a better world. I think there’s something especially powerful about the idea that our voices are not just for ourselves; we have a responsibility to use them on behalf of the people who may not have the same ability to be heard, and to call in those within our own communities when they are perpetuating harm.

Voting is just one expression of that responsibility, but so are organizing, advocacy, volunteering, having difficult conversations, and showing up for people in our communities. For me, being Jewish means understanding that we don’t get to opt out of the work of building the kind of community and world we want to live in.

What’s your favorite voting myth to debunk? 

The idea that there is a right or wrong way to get involved, or that one vote doesn’t matter, especially in a midterm or local election. I think people sometimes imagine that they have to be the perfect version of an advocate to be able to make a difference, but we are all organizers with access to people who would be more willing to listen to a friend than a stranger. There is value in every action taken towards educating and activating people to be more engaged in LGBTQ+ advocacy.

It is also important to name that voting matters in so many decisions that affect our daily lives, and many of those decisions are made by state and local officials. So much more than the President is on a ballot, and there are likely important races happening in your community. I also think it’s about participating in a collective process and encouraging the people around you to participate too. One person can catalyze an entire community to take meaningful and impactful action. Judaism offers a beautiful framework for this: Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh BaZeh, our responsibility to the community, and an understanding that our own safety and dignity is tied to the well-being of those around us.

Voting is one way to make our voices heard. What are some other ways people can take action before or after Election Day? 

While voting is an important way to participate, and I encourage everyone to vote in every election they are able, democracy is something we practice all year long. People can talk with their friends and family, attend community meetings, contact elected officials, volunteer with organizations they care about, help other people navigate the voting process, or get involved in local organizing. You can also serve as a poll worker or participate in nonpartisan election protection efforts that help make sure eligible voters can participate.

And honestly, one of the most powerful things we can do is build relationships with people who may be less familiar with LGBTQ+ people or identities. A great place to start is to ask someone what they care about, listen to them, and invite them to take one small step with you. You don’t have to consider yourself an activist to make a difference!

The news and the world can leave a lot of people feeling hopeless. What’s giving you hope right now?

The thing that gives me the most hope is people and the difference I’ve seen relationships and community make. I spend a lot of my time talking with Jewish leaders and community members who are trying to figure out how to make their communities more welcoming to LGBTQ+ people, more willing to take action, and more connected to the broader social justice movement, and I’m constantly reminded that people really do want to make things better.

I’ve seen people enter into conversations feeling uncertain or even uncomfortable and leave feeling like they have a role to play. I’ve also seen what happens when we choose relationship over division, when we listen to someone we disagree with, treat them with dignity, and find a place to move forward together. That gives me hope because it reminds me that one person can make a difference

Okay, most important question: What song are you blasting this election season?  

“This Hell” by Rina Sawayama, because while we are going through a tough time for sure, it’s so much better than it could be thanks to the community we have built and the relationships we have. I also have a playlist on repeat that one of my coworkers made earlier in the year that I always return to when I need a pick-me-up.

Further Reading:

Check out Keshet’s Tzedek Tzedek Tir’VOTE voter mobilization campaign page here for more resources and ways to get involved!

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Keshet envisions a world in which all LGBTQ+ Jews and our families can live with full equality, justice, and dignity.  Stay connected by joining our email list and following us on social media.

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