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Michigan Jews Mobilize Behind Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed
By Drooid · · How we work
New Jewish Endorsement for Abdul El-Sayed
A coalition called “Michigan Jews for Democracy” reports that more than 600 Jewish voters in the state have signed an open letter pledging to support Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. The signatories, who include liberal and progressive Jewish leaders, say the endorsement is a strategic move aimed at expanding El-Sayed’s historically uneven Jewish backing in what analysts expect to be a close, pivotal election. El-Sayed’s campaign highlighted the letter publicly on a Thursday morning.
Background and Context
Jewish support for Senate candidates in Michigan has been divided, with separate open letters emerging for both major parties. One letter favoring Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers has gathered 478 signatures since its launch in August, while another group of rabbis has urged El-Sayed to address “Jewish non-negotiables,” such as unequivocal support for Israeli sovereignty. The new pro-El-Sayed letter therefore represents a significant shift in the intra-community debate.
Key Signatories and Supporting Groups
The endorsement list features a mix of elected officials, clergy, and scholars. Notable signers include former U.S. Representatives Sander Levin and his son Andy Levin, progressive attorney-general nominee Eli Savit, Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus chair Decky Alexander, and Detroit Jews for Justice executive director Lisa Tencer. Religious leaders such as Rabbi Alana Alpert (Reconstructionist Congregation T’chiyah, Ferndale), Rabbi Nate DeGroot (Shalom Center, Jackson and Flint), and retired Cantor Annie Rose (Reform Temple Beth Emeth, Ann Arbor) also signed. Academic and media voices include University of Michigan Jewish Studies professor Deborah Moore and journalist Danny Fenster, who was previously detained in Myanmar.
Implications for the Senate Race
The coalition’s effort seeks to translate Jewish voter enthusiasm into a decisive electoral advantage for El-Sayed, potentially narrowing the gap with his GOP opponent. By framing the endorsement as a “strategic chess move,” the signatories acknowledge both their support and lingering reservations on issues such as El-Sayed’s past comments on Israel. If the endorsement sways a substantial portion of the state’s Jewish electorate, it could prove pivotal in a race that national observers are watching closely.