EMU Today

YPSILANTI – The Eastern Michigan University Center for Jewish Studies is presenting “The 2016 Election and the Jewish Vote” on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Jim Gerstein, America’s leading expert on Jewish voting patterns, will be discussing the results and voting trends of the 2016 presidential election at the event, which will be held in the Student Center Auditorium at 900 Oakwood St. The event is free and open to the public.

According to Martin Shichtman, Director of the Center for Jewish Studies and professor of English language and literature at EMU, the Jewish demographic in the United States traditionally votes for the Democratic Party, is heavily involved in politics, and makes up a significant population in important states such as Florida.  

“The election came as a surprise to so many, and it surprised so many pollsters,” said Shichtman. “It will be interesting to hear what he [Gerstein] will say in retrospect.”

Shichtman also said that the Jewish demographic serves as a bellweather for voting trends.  Gerstein will provide insight on these trends, if they will change in future elections, and how Jewish voters help pollsters determine who will win elections.    

Gerstein is a founding partner of GBA Strategies and provides research-based strategic counsel for candidates running for office, non-profit organizations, arts and cultural institutions, as well as Fortune 500 companies.

He has served as executive director of the progressive research and strategy organization, Democracy Corps; executive director of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation; and established Israel’s Institute for Peace and Security, which provides financial, organizational and strategic support for Arab-Israeli projects.

For more information about the event, please contact: jewish.studies@emich.edu

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.