Community Magazine June 2016

34 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE Still, running for office was the furthest thing from her mind when Rebecca got a call from the Republican County Committee in December 2015. They were looking for an Orthodox Jewish woman to run for office on the Upper East Side. Unbeknownst to her then, Rabbi Elie Abadie recommended her for the position. Rebecca was honored, and eventually accepted the invitation, knowing what having this position of influence could do for us as a community. As a problem solver, Rebecca would clearly focus on our community’s interests and needs with a bipartisan spirit, if elected. The men and women of the New York State Assembly function a bit the way Congress’s men and women do in Washington D.C. In Albany, they script laws and then send them to the New York Governor who signs them into effect. There are a number of initiatives Rebecca wants to work to pass if elected to the Assembly. She’s already informed the Republican State Committee that she’d like to sit on the Ethics Committee. Setting eight-year term limits so that corruption does not blossom in Albany is important to her. Rebecca is a firm believer in transparency in government. Rebecca is running under the slogan “Reform, Rebuild, Renew.” If elected, she will work to improve the situation for the homeless people of New York City, who she sees as real human beings who have simply been displaced. In that vein, she aims to help victims of rent destabilization by building safer shelters, making use of the $100 million worth of empty lots found across the five boroughs of New York City. She also hopes to institute the level of quality education that favors the students rather than the teachers. Rebecca cares fervently about representing the interests of our community’s children. This means increasing police patrols at night and being an advocate of safety in schools. Of course, she plans to cast an influential vote on tuition tax credits, which will certainly benefit our community as a whole. “Women in politics are almost reaching a critical mass,” Rebecca says of how the landscape of opportunity is changing. “When you’ve reached 20%, that’s when that subgroup can get things done and we’re almost there! Very quickly, the tide is turning because women come to the table in politics with a different viewpoint, ready to put aside their differences and work with everyone.” Rebecca has made it clear that she does not see party lines. Republican, Democrat, or Independent, she plans to work toward the common good with every official through bipartisanship. The most important thing, she feels, is to make a connection with others. Once that connection is formed, anything can be done! “I’m going into this with my eyes – and my life – wide open,” Rebecca says. “I will lead with my heart, guided by common sense and the needs of our families, our community, and our New York.” She has the benefit of her myriad experiences, which she’s always combined to maximum effect in any new endeavor. She has unique sensibilities as a Jew, a mother, a woman, and as someone who has always held family and community dear. Rebecca's intention is to become the second Sephardic Jewish woman ever elected to U.S. government, and we will have someone directly representing our interests in Albany. She will be our voice. A recent poll found Rebecca has an overwhelming chance of winning against current seat holder Dan Quart, who she deems an “absentee Assemblyman.” Running as a “Bloomberg” Republican, Rebecca has the full endorsements of the Republican, Independence and Reform parties. Additionally, she has been very appreciative of the support from her community and encourages everyone living on the Upper East Side to check off her name on the general election ballot come November 8 th . Though, as Rebecca says, “the outcome is all up to Hashem,” we wish her much success on Election Day. To learn more about Rebecca’s campaign, or to volunteer, please visit the campaign website at www.TeamHarary.or g “I will lead with my heart, guided by common sense and the needs of our families, our community, and our NewYork.”