Election Day, following a campaign season marked by an unusual degree of internal Jewish debate — over Israel, church and state, and homeland security, to name a few issues — is but a week away. After the dust clears, we Jews may have a bit of explaining to do to elected officials, some of whom will be justifiably confused about just where the Jewish community stands on various issues. As a public service, we provide below the draft of a letter Jewish leaders may personalize and send to winning candidates.

Dear _________,

Congratulations on your election. As a longtime supporter, I am glad that you will be representing us, the entire community, and, of course, your loyal Jewish constituents.

As you know, the Jewish community speaks in many voices. Some of us are Democrats, some of us are Republicans, some Independents. You will hear that we are a diverse group in our ideological leanings, in our domestic arrangements, and in our choice of meat or fish at weddings and bar mitzvas.

Such diversity may appear like disunity, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, there is much more agreement among “Jews” than it seems. All you have to do is eliminate those “Jews” whose beliefs disqualify them from what I and other members of my community consider the authentic Jewish way, and, voila, We Are One. Certainly, you can read a press release from a group that proudly places the word “Jewish” on the letterhead. But wishing doesn’t make it so. I think any real Jew can recognize another real Jew when he or she sees one. As my grandmother used to say, some of these groups are Jewish the way a spotted cat is a leopard.

Of course, I don’t blame you for asking “Who decides?” It’s a serious question and one that deserves a serious answer.

In closing, let me say that as a representative of an authentic Jewish constituency, I am at your service. Never forget your friends in the Jewish community, and if you do forget, forget the right ones. Who are the wrong ones. You know who I’m talking about.

Am Yisrael chai!