Lubavitcher Running For Office

By Miami Herald and COLlive

North Miami Beach Council candidate Hillel Hellinger may have been a no-show at several forums leading up to the city’s May 5 election — but he said he has a good reason: the Eighth Commandment.

Hellinger is a Lubavitch Orthodox Jew, and strictly observes the Shabbos.

Two of the forums were held during Passover and a third was held on Saturday — the Jewish Shabbos.

He is challenging Councilwoman Phyllis Smith for Seat 3.

”I am not going to do anything to compromise my religion,” said Hellinger, a father of 10. “And I think people will respect me for that.”

Hellinger is a registered pharmacist and for the past 15 years he, his wife Chasha and their children have called North Miami Beach home.

If elected, Hellinger said he would push to have more city events during the week — noting a recent North Miami Beach surplus auction was held on a Saturday.

Smith said she didn’t think Hellinger’s absence from the forums gives her an edge.

”An opponent’s an opponent,” she said. “I think the residents of North Miami Beach deserve me to earn my seat.”

Rabbi David Lehrfield of Young Israel of Greater Miami says: “Hillel Hellinger is known to me personally. He is honest, capable and sincere. I feel that he would be an asset to our city. I recommend him for a position on the city council.”

In order to maintain the highest level of honesty and integrity, Hellinger has pledged to not accept campaign contributions. He wants to represent all of the residents of North Miami Beach and does not want even the appearance of impropriety and therefore he is keeping his campaign low cost and funding it himself.

He can be reached by email at Hillel.Hellinger@gmail.com.