Besides the high energy campaign that became a movement, there was one moment in the entire campaign that brought home the fact that the candidacy of Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer was not just another routine event.

As the sun shone on the campaign workers supporting their candidates in front of Cross Country Elementary School, campaigning was anything but routine. Children and young adults where chanting in loud exuberant voices Yitzy ‘s campaign mantra "we can do better"! A young boy had taken one of the Schleifer campaign posters and taped it to the handlebars of his bicycle. While another stood on the corner with a small bull horn chanting, “Vote for Schleifer”. Kids that usually wouldn't even know what the City Council is, were spending a vacation day campaigning! At that moment it became clear that Yitzy Schleifer was no ordinary candidate!

Turns out that the assembled kids wearing orange campaign shirts were on to something, something big. By the end of the day the rest of the City found out what these kids knew all along, that Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer would prevail over the field of the 6 other candidates by a solid 12% of the votes. For the first time since 1955 a member of the Orthodox Jewish Community would be the Democratic candidate in the general election for the 5th District City Council Seat. With no republican challenger in the general election, Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer is poised to replace Rochelle “Rikki” Spector, the longest serving elected official in the State’s history.  Most people have no recollection of a City Council without Ms. Spector let alone with a member of the Orthodox Jewish Community.

What the voters in the District saw was what Yitzy’ s friends and family have known for years. Yitzy is a can do person, who puts the needs of others above his own and doesn't take no for an answer. If one option doesn't work, he will try another. He has uncanny ability to connect with people and build bridges where others have failed.  The 5th District is diverse and while the Jewish community came out in strong support of their candidate, Yitzy had support of varying degree in all of the neighborhoods that he will now get the chance to represent.

The primary winner commented, "As a homeowner, husband and a parent raising a family in the District, I saw the City at a crossroads, I have always wanted to serve my community and have been steadfast in my drive to be a member of the Baltimore City Council. It is the best way to be able to serve the District, and give back to the City I love." Born at Sinai Hospital and bred in the District, Yitzy grew up watching his father serve the community as President of the Fallstaff Neighborhood Association. He became accustomed to volunteerism and community involvement, it was in his DNA. Yitzy exuberantly stated, "I am excited and honored to be part of the new wave of City Council members, dedicated to making Baltimore what it should be. A place families can thrive and feel safe. I want the rest of the world to see the Baltimore I see, a city with talent, potential, culture, tradition and energy. The best is yet to come, I can't wait to fight for my constituents. There are so many opportunities available for our District. I look forward to taking advantage of those opportunities and making them available for all of the District’s constituents. From where I stand, the future is bright and looking brighter every day!" He closed his remarks by stating, “I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported my campaign and put their faith in my vision for Baltimore. I especially want to thank my opponents in the race and I thoroughly enjoyed the robust discourse over the issues. Now that the election is over, I look forward to working with all segments of the District. Now is the time for unity and progress.”   

Nathan D. Willner, Esq. is the President of the Cheswolde Neighborhood Association, and a regular contributor to BaltimoreJewishLife.com.