Lo Tishkach. Do not forget.

-- Philip Carmel

The central repository for pro-Obama messaging in the Jewish community launched a new campaign today to mobilize young Jews to go to Florida to convince their grandparents to vote for Obama.

The Jewsvote.org campaign, "The Great Schlep," was officially introduced with the release today of an irreverent video from Sarah Silverman promoting the effort with the proclamation: "If Barack Obama doesn't win this election, I am going to blame the Jews so get your fat Jewish asses on a plane to Florida."

Using cutting-edge political mobilization technology pioneered by Jewsvote.org, volunteers, also known as "schleppers" will have the tools to network and coordinate outreach efforts in the key swing states like Florida. Droga5, a New York-based advertising agency, produced the Silverman video and is well known in the advertising world, especially for their recent Mark Echo's Air Force 1 viral video that has been viewed millions of times.

"This is an historic opportunity to transform virtual communities of young Jewish supporters of Barack Obama into boots on the ground in Florida," said Ari Wallach, co-Executive Director, of Jewsvote.org. "And what bubbe can say no when her grandchild comes a knocking? Jewsvote.org's other co-Executive Director Mik Moore led "Operation Bubbe"in 2004 which mobilized over 120 young Jews to Florida to campaign for John Kerry.

Florida is an important target for both the Democrats and Republicans. In 2004, George W. Bush won Florida 52.1% to 47.2% over John Kerry, and in 2000, Al Gore lost Florida to George W. Bush by less than 500 votes. Jews make up nearly 4% of the population, but are historically very active voters who tend to be overrepresented in the electorate.

Since many will not be able make the trip, the online tools available on JewsVote.org will be utilized on TheGreatSchlep.com. This will allow "virtual schleps" to occur over next few weeks.

In this section, we highlight a new local group each month in order to encourage networking.

• August 2008: Lo Tishkach Project
• July 2008: The Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center
• May/June 2008: Golden Slipper
• April 2008: Shomrim of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley
• March 2008: JDate
• February 2008: Granny Peace Brigade
• January 2008: Democrats Abroad Israel.
• December 2007: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
• November 2007: National Council of Jewish Women
• October 2007: Mitzvah Food Pantry
• September 2007: Save A Child's Heart Foundation
• August 2007: Chai Lifeline
• July 2007: Star of David Bikers
• June 2007: National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC)
• May 2007: Panim el Panim
• April 2007: Jewish Social Policy Action Network (JSPAN)
• February 2007: Mazon: The Jewish Response To Hunger
• December 2006: Workmen's Circle
• November 2006: Jewish Outreach Partnership and Keshet Ga'avah
• October 2006: Jewish Labor Committee
• September 2006: Ameinu
• August 2006: Kehillah for Secular Jews in the Delaware Valley
• July 2006: Israel Free Loan Association
• June 2006: New Israel Fund
• March 2006: Billionaires for Bush
• February 2006: The Female Hebrew Benevolent Society
• January 2006: Jewish Genealogy
• December 2005: GoodWorks.org
• November 2005: CeasefirePA
• October 2005: Various groups helping Katrina Hurricane victims
• September 2005: Shalom Center
• August 2005: The Jewish Relief Agency

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