Nov 20, 2020

Protecting our Democracy

I believe that the overwhelming majority of people are moderates who may not always recognize our duty to stand up and be counted. But in moments like this, we must defend our Constitutional norms and uphold American trust in our democracy. This piece is based off of an email I felt compelled to send to Senate Majority Leader Shirkey and House Speaker Chatfield this afternoon.

Dear Michigan Senate Majority Leader Shirkey and House Speaker Chatfield,

We have never met, but I hope to meet you one of these days and to be able to express my deep gratitude for your role in safeguarding our democracy. You have been thrust into a historic moment. How you act today will determine a lot about our nation’s future, the integrity of American elections, and the character of the Republican Party.

I am a proud independent, as I have always feared the danger of being blinded by partisan loyalty.

I know you are facing enormous pressure to disregard the will of the people, and I hope you will be able to draw strength and courage, transcend any pressure, and honor our Constitutional norms and all regulations. While there is no doubt that President-elect Biden will take his seat in the White House come January 20th, sowing doubt in our electoral process in the interim only weakens our democracy and benefits despots and totalitarian leaders elsewhere.

As the son of a Holocaust survivor, I have observed the danger humanity faces by the nature of our inaction. The overwhelming majority of people are moderates who want to be left alone. Our natural instinct may not be to recognize our duty to stand up and be counted. But that cedes the space to those with more extreme points of view who have narrow selfish goals and will stop at nothing to achieve them. This can cause enormous harm to society.

That is the reason I am writing to you today. For you to know there are countless hundreds of millions of citizens who cherish our democracy and who will be grateful and have your backs when you stand up and ensure the law is respected.

With appreciation,

Daniel Lubetzky

Democracy

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End of Year Note 2023

Dear Friends,
As we approach the close of this tumultuous year, I am reflecting on the challenges we’ve experienced in pursuit of our mission to foster kindness in the US and across the world.

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A Letter to College Students: 10 Ways to Side with Humanity

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By Lonnie Ali and Daniel Lubetzky

Over the past two months, people of all races, ethnicities, and religions have experienced enormous pain and suffering. Acts of terror, war, and ensuing hatred have deepened the cracks that were already threatening to divide our communities.

You, our nation’s young people, have been implicated in this. The campuses on which you live, learn, and strive to become the people you want to be, have turned into battlegrounds. Some of you are angry. Some are scared for your lives. Others feel confused and alone.

This is not your fault. It is not one group’s fault. Extremist ideologies sow division wherever they go. Most of you are not radical. We see you. Most of you are compassionate. We hear you. The overwhelming majority of you want to supplant the forces that divide, destroy, and diminish with ones that unite, build, and bring light to the world. You want to replace polarization with problem-solving to benefit all people.

As a passionate Muslim and a passionate Jew, we have come together to humbly share a path forward for how to transcend the construct of “us vs. them” and side with humanity instead.

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Terrorist Attacks by Hamas- Builders vs. Destroyers

As someone who has dedicated my life to build bridges between people, most centrally among Israelis and Palestinians committed to resolve their conflict and build a better future for their children (ie., OneVoice & PeaceWorks Inc), I hope everyone will unanimously and vocally condemn the appalling terrorist attacks by Hamas. Hamas proudly targeted women and children as hostages. Ukrainian President Zelenskyysaid it best: terror like that perpetrated by Hamas must be eradicated or else violent extremism metastasizes and harms us all.

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