The rest of the country will soon get to know Governor Tim Walz, and we are confident that they’ll see the same strong, compassionate leader we’ve come to know in our capacity as Jewish leaders and constituents. Gov. Walz has the experience and proven record of success advocating for issues that are of great importance to Jewish Americans, and we couldn’t feel better about having him on the national ticket.
The day that Vice President Harris announced her selection of Gov. Tim Walz to run with her, Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), released a statement stating that “Gov. Walz has a long record of friendship with both his Jewish constituents and the state of Israel. Gov. Walz has spoken at three of the JCRC’s past four (non-election year) Annual Events. Most recently, at our Annual Event on June 2, 2024, Gov. Walz spoke up forcefully in support of Israel and against those who seek to delegitimize it.”
Gov. Walz is now serving his second term as governor, where his record of success includes strengthening voting rights, cutting taxes for the middle class, lowering the cost of insulin, expanding paid leave for Minnesota workers, protecting reproductive freedom, including making Minnesota the first state to codify abortions rights since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and providing universal free school meals for students. During his 12 years in Congress, Gov. Walz supported aid to Israel and the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Israel. As a social studies teacher, he advocated for Holocaust education and signed legislation mandating Holocaust education in public schools. These are all reflections of Jewish values.
On October 7, 2023, Gov. Walz swiftly condemned Hamas’s attack, stating “If you did not find moral clarity on Saturday morning, and you find yourself waiting to think about what you needed to say, you need to reevaluate where you’re at.” He ordered all flags at Minnesota state buildings be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the attack. He joined the Minnesota Jewish community at a solidarity event and in a statement emphasized that “the United States and Israel are united by a shared commitment to democracy, economic prosperity, and regional security.”
We are clergy, lay leaders, and other members of the Jewish community who can personally attest to Gov. Walz’s genuine affection and understanding of the Jewish community. His commitment to our safety and security and to the U.S.-Israel relationship is proven and long- standing.
All signatories have signed solely in their individual capacities and not on behalf of any organizations with which they may have an affiliation.
Rabbi Morris Allen
Robert Aronson
Rabbi Jill Avrin
Scott Bader
Kerry Bader
Richard Cohen, former Minnesota Senator
Bobby Cohen
Elliot Cohen
Ellie Covin Wolpert
State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski
Rabbi Barry Cytron
Deb Deutsch
Jason Divine
Hazzan Joanna S. Dulkin
Emma Dunn
Suzanne Fenton
Mayor Jacob Frey
Karen Gershman
Bruce Gershman
Kay Goldstein
Corey Gordon
Jacy Grais
Debra Grayson
Tamar Halpern Green
Shep Harris, former Mayor of Golden Valley
Rabbi Justin Held
Lynn Herbert
Frank Hornstein
Michael Horovitz
Susan Horovitz
Linda Hulbert
Julie Idelkope
Jim Jacobson
Phyllis Kahn, former Minnesota Representative
David Kaplan
Gayle Kaplan
Michele Kaplan Clinard
Susie Kaufman
Andrea Kaufman
Richard Kelber
Rita Kelner
Ron Kelner
Jane Kirshbaum
Rabbi Harold Kravitz
Lynn Lederman
Beth Kiefer Leonard
Todd Leonard
Marilyn Levi-Baumgarten
Dr. Elizabeth Levin
Stephanie B. Levine
Elyse Levine Less
Jen Lewin
Jennifer Lewin
Dan Lieberman
Judie Liszt
Kris MacDonald
Gail Machov
Steve Machov
Myrna Marofsky
Alan Milavitz
Mike Miller
Andrew Miller
Charles Nauen
Rebecca Noecker, Saint Paul City Council
Rabbi Avi S. Olitzky
David Orbuch
Howard Orenstein, former Minnesota Representative
Joel Paper, Mendota Heights City Council Minnesota Senator Sandy Pappas
Jon Parritz
Norman Pentelovitch
William Pentelovitch
Ben Petok
PJ Pofahl
Rabbi Debra Rappaport
Ken Raskin
Jerry Ribnick
Kent Rissman
Abigail Rose
Paul Rosenthal, former Minnesota Representative
Tom Sanders
Sheva Sanders
Mimi Sanders
Jim Sanders
Robyn Schein
Ben Schein
Cantor Heather Seid
Rabbi Sammy Seid
Rhona Shwaid
Alan I. Silver
Kathy Simon Zack
Sandy Sondell
Judith Spiegel
Richard Spiegel
Taylor D. Sztainer
Howard Tarkow
Laura Thorne
Sharon Van Dyck
Michael Waldman
Rabbi Aaron Weininger
Lori Weissman
Senator Bonnie S. Westlin
Howard Zack
Jill Zeldin Miller
Steve and Sheri Lear are on the list congratulating Gov Walz and endorsing Harris-Walz