On the Resignation of Senator Robert Menendez

As I write this Shabbat message, there are reports that Senator Robert Menendez will resign his seat in the United States Senate. After his conviction earlier this week on 16 federal charges, and the calls for his resignation from both local and national leaders growing louder and louder, it is the only responsible course of action. I join with other leaders who call for his immediate resignation.

At the same time, I call upon all those who would seek national office that have been convicted of felonies to similarly resign immediately for the good of our nation.

Yet I must tell you that I received the news of Senator Menendez's political downfall with profound sadness. Let me explain.

Years ago, before I began my Rabbinical studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, I worked as a legislative aide in the New York State Assembly. I loved the job. It was one of the great educational experiences of my life. It exposed me to the real-life world of government, of politics, of deal-making, and how the business of governing actually gets done. I saw moments of tremendous nobility and decency, and sadly, tremendous pettiness. I saw elected officials use the power of their office to do great things for their constituents, and also bow to special interests. I saw politicians rise to meet their responsibilities under the constitution, and at other times, use their office for their own personal needs and gains. I lost track of how many assemblymen and senators I knew and worked with during that year who went on to face state and even federal charges for corruption and abuse of their office. So I am under no illusion as to what takes place in Washington. I am saddened that Senator Menendez lost his way. 

Senator Menendez was a particularly significant leader on political issues important to the Jewish community in New Jersey, throughout the United States, and on matters regarding the State of Israel. He was no fair-weather friend. There is no real evidence yet of what we might expect from Andrew Kim, the Democratic nominee for the (soon to be) open Senate seat. With this pending resignation, we have not just lost any senator or friend, but a true leader of national standing on issues of critical importance to us. Let me outline just a few. 

Senator Menendez was a major advocate for hate crimes legislation when he was in the New Jersey General Assembly Senate, and throughout his tenure in the United States Senate. Hate crimes legislation has been a legislative priority for the organized Jewish community for years.  Under Senator Menendez and likeminded allies, prosecution of such crimes has increased, and the penalties for such crimes strengthened.

Senator Menendez publicly opposed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) that continues to isolate and vilify Israel. He was a co-sponsor of legislation designed to allow U.S. states to enact laws requiring contractors to sign pledges promising not to boycott any goods from Israel, or their contracts would be terminated, and to make it a federal crime, punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, for American citizens to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements. 

Senator Menendez was a passionate supporter of abortion rights, privacy, and worked on legislation fighting human trafficking as well as a host of other issues that are high on our Jewish communal agenda. 

As chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, he did so much to strengthen the alliance and bonds between the United States and Israel. He was a champion of military aid to Israel and an essential player in the fight to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge. He was a passionate defender of Israel in both domestic and international forums, and was a leader in all bipartisan pro-Israel legislation and advocacy. Certainly, there are many Jews in New Jersey, and the pro-Israel community is strong and influential. Yet anyone who ever spoke to Senator Menendez about these issues understood that his support was not about securing votes. His convictions with regard to Israel were honest and true. He understood the values that Israel and America share, and the importance of Israel remaining strong and secure.

Almost the entire organized Jewish community opposed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iranian nuclear deal. I say almost because there were some notable exceptions among some Jewish organizations. (They were terribly wrong, but that's for a different message) One of the most intense lobbying efforts by the organized Jewish and pro-Israel community in recent years, one that sadly ended in failure, was the attempt to convince the Obama administration to hold out for a better deal than the one his administration championed. Only 4 Senate Democrats opposed the nuclear deal: Senators Chuck Schumer, Ben Cardin, Joe Manchin, and Robert Menendez. It took great courage to publicly oppose passage of this deal that was such a priority of the Obama administration. Other stalwart friends and allies who privately opposed the deal caved, but Senator Menendez did not.

On a personal note, I'll always remember Senator Menendez visiting our congregation in October of 2018, the day after the murder of 11 Jews at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Within hours of the crime, I decided that we would have a communal rally the following night in our synagogue. The moment Shabbat ended, I started reaching out to all of our local elected officials, and our national representatives as well. I reached out to my contacts in Senator Menendez's office and asked him to be there, and within an hour his office confirmed that he would participate. He understood the magnitude of this horrific event and its unique meaning for the American Jewish community. We needed him that night, and he showed up. For that, I will always be grateful.

Senator Menendez failed to live up to the standards of his office, and betrayed the people of New Jersey and throughout our great nation. He must now face the consequences of his decisions and choices. That's what most Americans will think about when they read the news reports. And that is how it should be. We are a nation committed to the rule of law. Woe to us if we have one standard for the politicians that we like or agree with and another for those we dislike or oppose. Don't we have enough of that in our country already?

But at the same time, we must acknowledge that his downfall is a real loss to our community and its interests.  I want our community to understand and remember what Senator Menendez has meant to us, and accomplished for us. We will miss his leadership and his voice.

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