I sit on the national boards of three major Zionist Organizations, and as such am sensitive to and meticulous about examining the records of candidates for elected office regarding Israel and the Jewish community.

Having done so repeatedly over the years for Tom Suozzi, I can unhesitatingly and enthusiastically vote for him in the upcoming special election.

He has long been a vocal and vehement supporter of Israel and has spoken out loudly and persistently about terrorist organizations and antisemitism. One does not have to be Jewish to be a reliable ally to Israel and the concerns of constituents.

So, feeling confident about Suozzi’s extensive record on those issues, I can focus on other aspects of the candidates and issues in this race.

Souzzi has deep experience in the workings of Congress and is unafraid to reach across the aisle to try to move things forward, something which the Republican Congress has not been able to do as it is held hostage by the far right.

He characterizes himself as a problem solver and that is what is desperately needed now.

Mazi Pilip doesn’t have a record to analyze but there have been a few disturbing things in her campaign.

When first chosen she said that no citizen should own an AR-15 rifle and that there were circumstances which would justify the termination of a pregnancy.

Almost immediately after, she began espousing the opposite positions- clearly being told to toe the Republican line.

She continues to evade debates and to be whisked off stages after repeating a few generic statements and doesn’t dig deeply on any issue. Nor does she address local concerns.

As a new and inexperienced representative, I fear that she would simply continue to do as she is told. To best serve the needs of District 3 and the nation, vote Suozzi.

Shelley Sherman

Great Neck