Community and Law Enforcement Leader Urges Americans to Focus on Shared Values and Open Dialogue

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 6, 2025 / Following a series of high-profile elections across New York and New Jersey, Rabbi Abe Friedman - a respected intergovernmental affairs leader and longtime law enforcement chaplain - is calling on citizens to move forward with unity, compassion, and open dialogue.

For more than 25 years, Rabbi Friedman has served as a bridge between communities and law enforcement, promoting cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect. In a time when political divisions often dominate public discourse, he believes that now is the moment to rebuild connections across lines of difference.

"Elections may divide opinions, but they should never divide people," Rabbi Friedman said. "The real strength of our democracy is not in who wins or loses, but in how we move forward - together, with respect and understanding."

Finding Common Ground After the Vote

As the excitement of the election fades, Rabbi Friedman encourages communities to focus on what unites them rather than what separates them. He believes that healing begins when individuals make space for meaningful conversations and recognize shared goals such as safety, opportunity, and dignity for all.

"When the signs come down and the ballots are counted, we're still neighbors," he said. "Our schools, our streets, our children's futures - these belong to all of us. We may not agree on every solution, but we share the same hopes for the places we call home."

Friedman's message comes at a time when many communities are feeling polarized. Drawing on his decades of experience mediating between law enforcement and the public, he stresses that mutual respect must remain the cornerstone of civic life.

"Respect doesn't require agreement," he noted. "It requires listening, empathy, and the willingness to see the humanity in someone else."

Building Bridges Through Dialogue

Throughout his career, Rabbi Friedman has worked to create space for conversation, even in moments of tension or disagreement. He has seen firsthand how dialogue - when grounded in honesty and compassion - can turn confrontation into cooperation.

He encourages individuals and community leaders alike to take small steps toward open communication:

• Listen First: Approach conversations with curiosity rather than judgment.

• Seek Understanding: Try to see issues through another person's lived experience.

• Speak with Care: Words have power; use them to build, not break.

• Collaborate Locally: Join neighborhood efforts that strengthen community ties beyond politics.

"When people come to the table willing to listen, remarkable things can happen," he said. "That's how we've built partnerships between communities and law enforcement for years - through conversation, not confrontation."

A Time for Healing and Shared Purpose

Rabbi Friedman emphasizes that post-election periods are opportunities to refocus on common purpose. Whether through volunteering, civic engagement, or simply reaching out to someone across the aisle, he says that small actions of goodwill can have lasting impact.

"Unity doesn't mean we think alike," he explained. "It means we choose to stand together - to value each other's perspectives and protect what binds us as a people."

He adds that, just as faith communities turn to reflection after times of intensity, so too should the nation take a collective pause to restore balance. "After the noise and debate, we can take a breath and remember why we care in the first place - because we all want to see our communities thrive."

Looking Ahead with Hope

Rabbi Friedman believes that respect and cooperation will be key to the months ahead. He continues to encourage partnerships between civic leaders, law enforcement, and local residents, stressing that dialogue and empathy are not only moral values but essential tools for peace.

"Our democracy depends on what happens after the election," he said. "It depends on how we treat one another when the cameras are gone - how we listen, how we forgive, and how we choose to build something better together."

He invites everyone, regardless of political belief or background, to recommit to the ideals that unite rather than divide. "When we focus on what connects us - our families, our faiths, our shared hopes - we rediscover the best of who we are."

About Rabbi Abe Friedman

Rabbi Abe Friedman is a respected intergovernmental affairs and community leader who has worked for more than 25 years fostering collaboration between law enforcement and diverse communities throughout New York and New Jersey. Inspired by his father's service as a chaplain, Rabbi Friedman has served agencies including the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Department of Justice, New Jersey State Police, and NYPD. He has been recognized by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the NJ State PBA, and numerous federal and local agencies for his leadership, compassion, and commitment to unity.

Contact:

rabbiabefriedman@gmail.com
(917) 608-8899

SOURCE: Abe Friedman