In a recent trip to Israel, Rabbi Yechiel Kalish, National Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel of America, urged Israel-Americans to vote this November.

Over just three days, Rabbi Kalish met with gedolim, members of Knesset and members of the Israel Haredi press.  Warms brachos in support of the work of Agudath Israel were received from HaRav Aron Leib Steinman, HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, the Belzer Rebbe, the Slonimer Rebbe, and the Gerrer Rebbe.   Rabbi Kalish, in his discussions with the gedolim, shared with them the kol koreis in which American gedolim have called on American citizens to vote.

HaRav Kanievsky voiced his strong support of the American gedolim’s position and Agudath Israel’s efforts to register Israel-Americans to vote, saying that if they believe it’s important for Americans to vote in the upcoming election “it should not matter where they live.”

To encourage voter registration, Agudath Israel has opened the American Citizens Gemach, run by Director Aaron Spetner.  This organization facilitates voter registration as well as helps American citizens in Israel with consular issues, like obtaining birth certificates and passports, and cutting through the red tape of Israeli government agencies.

In meeting with members of Knesset, namely Meri Porush and Avraham Ravitz of the United Torah Judaism (Degel HaTorah) party, issues of shared importance to the Haredi communities in Israel and the United States were discussed.

Israeli-Americans can contact the American Citizens Gemach at 078-818-7090, and choose option 3 for voter registration.  A staff member of the gemach will contact the caller in response to his or her voicemail about how to proceed.  The gemach also accepts email inquiries at [email protected].

(YWN Desk – NYC)