“If I Am Not For Myself, Who Will Be For Me?" Senator Bill Cassidy Reconsidered

Earlier this week, I received an invitation to a fundraiser for Senator Bill Cassidy. The invitation came from NORPAC, an organization that hosts fundraising events for pro-Israel congressmen and senators. Founded in 1994, NORPAC has held thousands of such events, building relationships with elected officials that have proven tremendously beneficial to the Jewish and pro-Israel communities in America. While I am not a member of NORPAC, I am a supporter. I admire their goals, laud their efforts, and am grateful for their successes. The list of individuals they have endorsed is both extensive and significant, underscoring the importance of their work.

Regular readers of my Shabbat messages may recall that about two months ago, I wrote critically about Senator Cassidy, particularly regarding his support for Bobby Kennedy as Secretary of Health and Human Services. I believed then—and continue to believe—that his support for this deeply flawed choice was a complete abdication of his responsibilities as a United States Senator. Senator Cassidy, a renowned physician in Louisiana before entering public service, was involved in promoting vaccines in rural communities. Yet, he voted to elevate a vaccine skeptic who perpetuates conspiracy theories about the life-saving benefits of vaccinations. Under his watch, diseases like whooping cough and measles—easily preventable by vaccines—have become significant health concerns in our nation.

As I write this Shabbat message, CDC officials are warning of a severe measles outbreak in the Southwest. Dr. Dan Filardo, the CDC’s task force leader for measles response, described it as “the largest outbreak in the US since measles elimination was declared in 2000.” Earlier this year, two young unvaccinated girls died in Texas. Now, whooping cough has joined measles as a major health concern, with Bloomberg News reporting that the U.S. is on track for the worst outbreak in 70 years. I fear that, due to Senator Cassidy’s malfeasance, more children will lose their lives.

In normal times, I might dismiss Senator Cassidy, given our political differences. But these are not normal times for Jews and supporters of Israel. As I said during our Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Event on Wednesday night, we are living in an era of unimaginable threats to Israel, a staggering rise in antisemitism (as documented by the Anti-Defamation League and the FBI), and the cheapening of the Holocaust’s memory and its six million Jewish victims. At such a moment, when so many allies have abandoned us, we need friends, especially friends in high places.

I don’t agree with Senator Cassidy on most issues. However, he is a steadfast friend of the Jewish community, a strong supporter of Israel, and a firm believer in the U.S.-Israel alliance. His positions on these issues are rooted not in political calculation. There aren’t enough Jews in Louisiana to sway elections. Senator Cassidy holds these positions because he genuinely believes in them.

After October 7, 2023, Senator Cassidy visited Israel as part of a bipartisan Senate delegation to reaffirm America’s unwavering support for the State of Israel. He opposed the Iranian nuclear deal in 2015, co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act to combat discriminatory boycotts targeting Israel, and voted for the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act in 2019. This act bolstered Israel’s security and allowed state and local governments to divest from entities boycotting Israel.

Last April, following the passage of a supplemental funding bill that included $26.4 billion, Senator Cassidy stated: “200 days after Hamas' barbaric attack on Israeli civilians, the United States is sending a clear message that we will not abandon our allies. The bill enables Israel to defend itself while ensuring no U.S. troops are put in harm's way. The American people will not allow Hamas to win a war by killing civilians and using Palestinians as human shields.”

Each of these votes and actions was a high priority for Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, and Senator Cassidy delivered. While he is right on these issues, he is profoundly wrong on many others that deeply matter to most American Jews.

As I have been warning the community for years now, there are too many elected officials who share our social and communal vision for America, yet whose support for the Jewish community and Israel has been lacking. It would be unfair to say that they are unsupportive of our community or have turned their backs on Israel. But at a time of heightened concern for Jews, too many of their voices have been silent. Senator Cassidy's voice has been loud, clear and unambiguous.

And therein lies the dilemma. Judaism is a judicious balance between the universal and the particular. There are times when the interests of the larger community must take precedence, and times when the specific needs of Jews must come first. Sadly, given the threats facing world Jewry, this is a time for particularism. As Hillel taught: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” (Avot 1:14). Our voting must reflect this tension. Our safety may depend on it.