Did The Great Schlep Work?
Millions of people watched the video. Hundreds of thousands downloaded the talking points. More than 30,000 received email from their friends through JewsVote.org. Tens of thousands more have seen our ads in key swing states like Michigan, Missouri, and Florida. There were (and still are) dozens of articles and news reports about The Great Schlep, putting the message of Jewish support for Obama in front on tens of millions.
Exit polls of the Jewish Vote in the 2008 election: Obama - 78% McCain 22%
Florida vote in the 2008 election: Obama 51% McCain 49%
Of course, we still get questions about the effectiveness of this effort. You should draw your own conclusions, but thought we would share with you some of the feedback we have received. Want to share your story? Email us at info@jewsvote.org.
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“I am writing to thank you for your important effort. I know how significant our vote is, and it gladdens my heart that you are doing so much to help make sure we use it with wisdom and for peace. I am 22 and observant, and I believe that Barack Obama is the right man to lead the American people and for us.” -- S.
“This works! I used it on my 89 yr old father in Maryland.” –J
“Thank you, thank you thank you for your endorsement and concise points on why you support Senator Barack Obama. My friend is Jewish and though he doesn't support McCain, he is still not convinced that voting is "worth it." I have tried to explain to him that it is a right and opportunity that we should all take part in. …Your website has really opened his eyes to why Jews all around the country and world are rooting for Obama. The Great Schlep and other efforts in my mind are working to get people past the surface stuff and to the heart of the matters- what's good for the people of our nation, countries abroad, and of course the Jewish community. Thank you!” –N
“I am black, male, urban, a child of the 1960s, a father, and a product of the Anti-Vietnam War Movement, a Vietnam vet and retired from Corporate America. I learned to schlep in the 1960s. There is something extraordinarily special about Sara and The Great Schlep Movement.
“Interestingly, watching Sara’s YouTube video engendered and rekindled within me feelings of affection for Jews I always had but that waned in me over the years, for some reason. Sara, the character or the real person, represents the type of Jew I learned to know and love in the 1950s & 1960s. I am not sure what soured my view of Jews over the years and I am not sure why Blacks and Jews lost its interconnections in recent decades. Sara reminded me of what we had and of my personal affinity for Jews. Your movement is on to something big. I encourage you to pursue it.” --P
“My son and I schlepped to Hollywood, Florida to visit my 91-year-old grandparents (my son's great grandparents) this past weekend, spent time with them and some of their friends, cajoled and persuaded and ended up convincing my grandfather to vote for Obama -- my grandmother was already planning to vote for him. We ate mandel bread and swam in their pool at their condo building and I can't say enough how important it was to have lots of time with them to talk about the issues and address their fears and concerns. My grandparents are both very aware, intelligent people, but they grew up in a segregated New York City in the 1920's and 30's and have a different world view than younger people do.” --J
“I am so grateful for this website. I've already reviewed all the content you have put up for possible forwarding, and have drafted an email to make sure Jewish pro-Obama friends know about the site so they can use it too. Really fantastic. Thanks!!” --M
“Thank you for this site! I am sick of the smears against Obama and I have hoped for a site where these rumors could be addressed and find out the truth! I am tired of investigating the truth by myself in order to rebut smear emails which people send without bothering to check them out. Again, I am grateful for this site!” --M.L.
“Thank you thank you thank you for this site! … To get people engaged in political debate, especially across generational divides, will not only help solidify the vote but enhance old-timey familial ties that are in desperate need of strengthening. A generation without the history and wisdom of its elders is a ship lost at sea. And as far as feedback goes, the site is awesome, if I had any cash I'd buy a t-shirt and try to get that video out to as many media sources as possible. Lots of information on the site, but it's easy to decipher. The facebook link is a great idea, and will definitely target the youth vote- spread it as far as you can!” --N
“A friend sent me an article about The Big Schlep. For months, I had been trying to talk my 90 year old mom into switching her vote for Mccain. True, she sent me to Washington to work for FDR (!) and I remember the teas she and dad did for Kennedy in 1960, but this time she was switching parties to “vote for the hero.” Such a hero ….
“Yesterday I got on the Big Shlep. Flew to Detroit, wined and dined Mom (are there elections laws against taking a mom to dinner?) and as I was leaving this morning, Mom put on her Obama button and agreed to vote for Barack. --J
“I've sent a link to your site and the PDF of talking points to my parents-in-law. They are Jewish Canadians who spend half the year in Florida, where their cohort is ancient, lively, engaged, American Jews. I've urged them to send the link and document to their pals, which I think they will do. Thank you for providing this opportunity.
“I'm not Jewish, but I know a mitzvah when I see one: blessings on you both. I'm not American, either, and live in Canada. But I feel I have a stake in this election myself. I have many dear American friends. I've travelled in Europe, Canada, and the Arabian Middle East this year and seen how international relations and the USA's standing in the world will greatly improve if Obama is President.
“You must be overwhelmed by the response to your campaign and I'm sorry for adding to your burden. But I want you to be assured that you are inspiring a web diaspora of righteous information.” --B
“I'm in Florida from the hell of Wash DC and have successfully registered my mother to vote for Obama. We even attended a Biden rally in Palm Beach, though my mom left on her large white sunglasses through it (it was held indoors). I suspect this was to avoid any flirting from Biden. Regardless, if she will put the wine bottle down long enough I think her vote is a done deal.
O, and we're Irish, but thought you, and James Joyce, would appreciate it anyway. --K
“I just wanted to thank you for The Great Schlep! Because of your talking points, my aunt and I were able to convince my nana to vote for Obama! I wrote a blog about it here if you want to check it out: http://floatingrobot.blogspot.
“My Jewish grandparents also live in New Jersey, but so do I -- and I now plan on making a mini-schlep up north specifically for the purpose of using the talking points and convincing them! My mom has actually been working on my grandpa for a while now, but like Sarah said, no one is more influential than the grandkids.” –J
“Thanks for the great WWW site and the terrific idea. My academic father is Jewish, so I will claim adopted status as a schlepper! His was a solid Obama person from the start, but I got my father-in-law who is a WWII Navy Vet to come over by sending him a copy of The Audacity of Hope and Obama's Plan for America (download from the Campaign WWW). He is usually to the right of Gengis Kahn, after several long talks on the phone he says he is going to vote for Obama....
I have an uncle who also now has come over. The personal contact does matter! BTW, they both live in VA, so their votes will really count.” –C
“As of five minutes ago: The "litmus Jew" has decided. My Uncle will vote for Obama.” –M
“So after a long conversation with my grandma today, I successfully changed her vote from McCain to, despite my best efforts on Obama's behalf, a write-in of my name. Half credit?” –Z
“Thank you so much, you are making a tremendous difference!! Now when I tell my young daughters (11 and 14) that anyone can make a difference I have your amazing example. We can be a better Nation and a better people. Bless You all.” –R
“This weekend I did a mini-Schlep to my grandfather who lives in another battleground state, Ohio. I think the 15 minute conversation worked.” –R
I am a proud black man and a Barack supporter. I loved the matteroffactly attitude Ms. Silverman gave in the GS video. … Thank you so much.
In my 32 years, I would have never thought this possible.....ever. White people are scared of black people. I am sooooooo shocked that we, as a nation, are progressing. Just 45 years ago MLK Jr. was fighting for a right to be heard, and now we can be heard in the most proficient way possible, as the voice for all races, and, more important, as a nation governing to other nations. Also, 60 years ago I couldn't have married my most dear white/caucasian bride and had my little halflings.
Thank you for relating to everybody. Take care. I would write something clever in yittish, but I am not that witty or in tune with your people's slang. You guys are the "goodest person" we've had support Barack's ideal. I don't 'Facebook,' but I might just to support this cause. --K
“The Great Schlep is the epitome of grass(family)roots at its best! My efforts in this regard have not only been successful, but a wonderful way to pull family, friends, and fellow Jews together. To all you great shleppers and shleppers to be -- remember that our new "secondary" day of rest is Nov. 5th!!” –E
“While I can't actually make the schlep to Florida to convince my already convinced Grandparents, I did get on the phone to double check their voting intentions and I also called my relatives in Ohio to make sure they are voting for "That One" too. It's all good....Obama all the way!” –S
“I DID IT!” –D
“thanks so much for posting all of the videos. i'm still working on a couple of people... the frummies and the generals should go a long way.” –C
I love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Great Schlep is brilliant, honest and so jewish - it reminds me that America would not be america without jews (and blacks). I am Black. and thanks!!!!! for keeping it real- as only Jewish Americans can. –M
“I finally convinced my mom, a previously conservative Jew, to vote Obama!” –R
“10 converts to Obama from my cousins and I. 6 in Boca, 4 in Pompano. The west coast relatives are going to Scottsdale, AZ this coming week to convince their grandparents (that aren't shared with ours)” –R
“Mom, 88, was Hillary all the way...wasn't sure if she could vote for "that Labamba fellah" at first....but she saw the light....she might be old...she might be slowing down...but she still has her good sense!!!” –R
I schlepped.
I'm a grandma who went to Miami to speak to her daughter and her friends. I spoke to about two dozen young (39--40 year-old) people and an elderly cousin. I convinced my 85-year-old cousin to vote for "Baruch Bahama" and to tell her mah jong buddies it is OK to vote for him. she was excited about hearing what is so good and important about Obama and what is wrong with McCain in terms of being Jewish and living on her retirement income. My daughter had a large open house pot-luck party and she and her friends are mostly all pledged to vote for Obama. They are so offended by Sarah Palin and the tenor of the McCain campaign. --D
“Mission accomplished- Grandma was on the fence- now she is on for Obama. Besides, the fence was hurting her tuchus.” –B
