Only 42% of eligible young citizens voted in the 2000 presidential election. Here's why we have to change that.

Imagine yourself getting onto an airplane. It's easy enough; you sit down, have some peanuts, and get ready for a nice flight. Perhaps you're a little worried, but everything seems normal. All of a sudden, the captain comes onto the speaker and says, "Attention passengers, I'd just like to let you know that only 40% of pilots really care about how their flights go." Would you stay on the plane?

According to The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE), only 42% of eligible young citizens voted in the 2000 presidential election, only 42% of young citizens proved that they really care how their country goes. Voting is a civic right, something that people have fought for, have died for, and something that makes our country different from many others across the globe; but for some reason, only 42% of youth saw this right's potential to fruition.

As Jews, we have a historically better voter-turnout history, but any less than 100% isn't a far cry from unacceptable.

When women were first given the right to vote, and for a long time afterward, it was seen as obvious that, because of the intense fight that women had to put up in order to get the right, women would definitely vote. Marla Feldman, the chairwoman of the Union for Reform Judaism's Commission on Social Action, described how, in her youth, she was in awe of women who did not exercise their right to vote.

The Jewish people in America did not have to fight for their right to vote. We do not have the same history of oppression in this front that women had, so it sometimes seems that we, along with most of the rest of America, lack that passion for voting that women of the recent passed possessed.

Why, then, should we as Americans, specifically we as Jews, care so much about the election?

If you care about the United States' view on Israel, the election is paramount. One candidate has a history of supporting Israel, one has been shaky. If you care about a woman's reproductive rights, the election is paramount. One candidate has been historically opposed, one has not. If you care about how the face of your country is being represented to the world, this election is paramount. If you care about seeing the issues dealt with that the Jewish people and the American people find important, then this election is paramount.

The Torah's Book of Numbers in the chapter of Ba'Midbar reflects a census that Moses took of the Jewish people on the command of God. In a book, the Torah, with exciting stories of love, violence, ethics, and morals, the writer(s) of the Torah decided that an entire chapter (in addition to other times throughout the Torah) to a census. Many Rabbis agree that this census is intended to show that, in a community, that each opinion is important.

In our society, we are not counted, but the extra step we need to take of making our way to the polls is nominal. The Torah says that in a community each opinion is important, and few communities need more input than the United States of America.

Fewer than 600 votes proved the difference between the victor and the loser of the 2000 Presidential election. Many synagogues across America have more than 600 members; some might even have more the 600 members who are eligible to vote. The Jewish people, now more than ever--in one of the most heated elections ever--certainly will have an influence on the outcome of the election.

The decision that is made this November will impact the shape of our country over the next four years, and probably, over even more than that. As Jews, as citizens, as Americans, it is our civic duty to show our support for the candidate that we find best.

What if you're not old enough to hit the polls this November? The responsibility certainly isn't limited to those who are old enough to vote. If something matters to you, do something about it. It's as simple as that. Ilana Wexler, a Jewish 12 year old from Berkley, California, founded the website kidsforkerry.org, which has held everything from press conferences to rallies. While that is a tough standard to match, being knowledgeable about the issues, regardless of if you will vote in November, is a powerful tool. If you are 17 or younger, you are still an American citizen, and it is your job as much as everyone else's to try to make America as great as possible. You can still write letters to your congressman and state senator. You can write opinion pieces and send them to local or even national newspapers. You can read up on the candidates and talk to others about your thoughts and opinions, sharing ideas.

Only 42% of empowered youths saw that power to its potential in 2000. We must show the world that, in our generation, more than 42% of people care about our country.

Justin Felder is a college freshman at the University of Florida, studying Broadcast Journalism. He is currently the Membership and Communications Vice President of the North American Federation of Temple Youth (the MCVP of NFTY, for short). He is originally from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and is an avid sports fan.