In September 2024, Yeshiva University hosted a three-part virtual series on the upcoming presidential election in a collaborative endeavor between the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership, the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, and the Lieberman-Mitzner Center for Public Service and Advocacy. The series featured Dr. Tevi Troy, Senior Scholar and Impact Office Director at the Straus Center, in conversation with Dr. Sharon Poczter (director of the Lieberman Center), Dr. Erica Brown (director of the Sacks Center), and Rabbi Dr. Dov Lerner, a faculty member of the Straus Center. These conversations respectively provided in-depth explorations of the nature of presidential debates, transitions of leadership, and religious perspectives on voting.
In the first event, Dr. Troy and Dr. Poczter discussed the impact of presidential debates on electoral outcomes. Dr. Troy, a distinguished presidential historian and author of five books and an edited volume on the presidency (including, most recently, The Power and the Money), provided an overview of the phenomenon. Dr. Troy remarked that debates are a critical, unscripted moment when candidates reveal who they are under pressure. For example, Ronald Reagan’s age comment in 1984 helped ensure his victory over Walter Mondale. He also noted that debates frequently uncover the core competencies and vulnerabilities of candidates in real time, making debates pivotal to democratic processes.
The second event in the series featured a deep dive into leadership transitions, with Dr. Brown and Dr. Troy examining contemporary political transitions as well as drawing lessons from the Hebrew Bible, such as the Joshua’s succession of Moses. They emphasized the emotional and practical challenges of power transitions, especially when leaders are forced to let go. The session also addressed modern corporate transitions, comparing them to political transitions. The story of Disney’s CEO transitions served as a case study in how leaders can either empower their successors or undermine them, a dynamic that applies across sectors.
In the final event, Rabbi Lerner and Dr. Troy explored whether religious values can guide voting decisions. The conversation focused on Jewish voting patterns in the U.S., particularly the growing political divide between Orthodox and non-Orthodox communities. Dr. Troy noted, for instance, that President Bush won 70% of the Orthodox vote in 2004 due to his strong pro-Israel stance, while the overall Jewish vote has tended to lean Democratic.
Rabbi Lerner and Dr. Troy also discussed the role of rabbis in political discourse. Rabbi Lerner noted that “the Torah is infused with political values but is very sparing on policy.” This balance allows for a nuanced approach to civic engagement, encouraging rabbis to emphasize core moral values such as justice and charity without aligning with specific political platforms.
Throughout the series, the speakers emphasized the importance of healthy political discourse, stable leadership transitions, and the role of religious values in shaping public life. The events offered valuable historical, political, and ethical insights ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
