2008 Woodie Awards
Q & A with Michael Wildes
Jewish Mayor of Englewood Runs for Congress
Jackelyn Volmer
Issue date: 3/8/05 Section: Features
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Mayor Michael Wildes, 40, is a Sabbath observant Jew with a lot going for him. Besides being the mayor of Englewood, N.J., he finds time to work fulltime at the law firm of Wildes, Weinberg, Grunblatt and Wildes, chair the American Jewish Congress' Committee on International Terrorism and Israel, volunteer for Hatzalah, and be a father to his four children and husband to his wife, Amy. Mayor Wildes' newest ambition is running for congress in 2008. This past week, The Commentator had a chance to catch up with him.
Commentator: Do you feel often influenced by halakha or Jewish teaching?
Mayor Wildes: All the time. I have been called on occasion at city hall by someone who needs a minyan to say kaddish . In both my professional and political life, I consult with religious leaders or many issues. I walk on Shabbat to get to an institution of other houses of worship in order to speak. People know that I live within my halakhic life and at the same time, I realize the significance. For example, when I worked as an Auxiliary Police officer I had a kippah that said "Officer Mike" to show the people in the community that you can be an observant Jew and serve the greater community.
Commentator: Do you think that Senator Lieberman paved the way for Sabbath observant politicians?
Mayor Wildes: Absolutely. I actually spoke to Sen. Lieberman a few months ago about the footprints he set for people like me. He has set the precedent for me.
Commentator: How has your community/synagogue reacted to you being "Mayor Wildes?"
Mayor Wildes: My community knows me as "Michael", not "Mayor". I am proud of that fact.
Commentator: How do you choose/react to the preference of the community in light of national politics?
Mayor Wildes: I have always had an interest in national politics and I've set many priorities in my life. That said, I don't deserve to go forward nationally if I am not doing a good job locally as mayor. My duties as Mayor come first.
Commentator: Do you feel often influenced by halakha or Jewish teaching?
Mayor Wildes: All the time. I have been called on occasion at city hall by someone who needs a minyan to say kaddish . In both my professional and political life, I consult with religious leaders or many issues. I walk on Shabbat to get to an institution of other houses of worship in order to speak. People know that I live within my halakhic life and at the same time, I realize the significance. For example, when I worked as an Auxiliary Police officer I had a kippah that said "Officer Mike" to show the people in the community that you can be an observant Jew and serve the greater community.
Commentator: Do you think that Senator Lieberman paved the way for Sabbath observant politicians?
Mayor Wildes: Absolutely. I actually spoke to Sen. Lieberman a few months ago about the footprints he set for people like me. He has set the precedent for me.
Commentator: How has your community/synagogue reacted to you being "Mayor Wildes?"
Mayor Wildes: My community knows me as "Michael", not "Mayor". I am proud of that fact.
Commentator: How do you choose/react to the preference of the community in light of national politics?
Mayor Wildes: I have always had an interest in national politics and I've set many priorities in my life. That said, I don't deserve to go forward nationally if I am not doing a good job locally as mayor. My duties as Mayor come first.