Jewish Judicial Candidates Make Their Case

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In the May 18 primary election, Pennsylvania’s voters will select candidates from their party to run in the November general election. In the state court system, there will be openings on benches at every level, from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to the magisterial courts.

Seven Jewish candidates responded to our request to complete questionnaires. Their responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Wendi Barish


Running for: Judge, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, 1st Judicial District

Wendi Barish headshot
Wendi Barish
Photo by Laura Eaton

Why are you running?: I was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia in the home of my grandparents, Muriel and Jerry Snyder. I received social services as a child and want to give back to the Philadelphia community, which I attribute to helping raise me. We are in the midst of a new type of civil rights movement. I have been working as a lawyer for nearly 25 years to protect the rights afforded under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and I now want to serve as a judge and ensure people’s inalienable rights are protected. No matter what you look like, where you were born, where you do or do not worship, or who you love, all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

How does being Jewish influence your judicial philosophy/professional ethics?: There is a portion of the Torah, Deuteronomy 16:19, which addresses this very issue: “You shall not judge unfairly; you shall show no partiality; you shall not take bribes, for bribes blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just.” Being Jewish has instilled a sense of community and justice within me that I will carry to the bench.

Jill Beck

Jill Beck Headshot
Jill Beck
Photo by Brandy Ringer

Running for: Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Why are you running?:
I am running for Superior Court to fulfill my goal and passion of ensuring a fair and equitable court system in Pennsylvania. I have spent my legal career helping people and entities achieve substantial justice on both sides of the Superior Court bench — as a law clerk and as an attorney — working to ensure that all Pennsylvanians, particularly the most disadvantaged among us, have equal access to justice. I now hope to take that dedication, experience and integrity to one of Pennsylvania’s top appellate courts.

How does being Jewish influence your judicial philosophy/professional ethics?: My Jewish upbringing stressed service to others, equity, and equal treatment of all people. I have always been an active volunteer, and from the time I began working at 16, I worked to help those in need. I can put a name and a face to nearly every kind of case that the Superior Court reviews. I will never cast a case aside as unimportant because I know each case is unquestionably the most important case to the litigants involved. Every decision is driven by the law as written by the General Assembly, but interpreted by the court, and the precise facts of the case. I will ensure the record is reviewed completely, the law is thoroughly reviewed, and the decision is written in a manner that everyone — from the most seasoned lawyer to the pro se litigant — can understand.

Craig Levin

Craig Levin Headshot
Craig Levin
Courtesy of Craig Levin for Judge

Running for: Judge, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, 1st Judicial District

Why are you running?: I have always wanted to be a judge. I recognize the immense opportunity that I will have every day to make a difference in people’s lives. As a lawyer, my job has been to seek justice for my clients, to right wrongs, whether it’s a business dispute, an injury or a criminal matter where just consequences have to be determined. As a judge, I will have the privilege and great responsibility to administer justice.

I have been a trial lawyer in Philadelphia for 31 years. I have personally handled over 2,000 cases and tried over 500 cases. I am running now because I know I can make a difference and we need people who care in positions of high responsibility. I have seen and experienced all kinds of judges and judging styles, from good to bad and everything in between. I know that I will be one of the good ones because I really care. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be able to take an active role in our democracy.

How does being Jewish influence your judicial philosophy/professional ethics?: Some fundamental aspects of Judaism have and will continue to serve as a philosophical and ethical framework, not only professionally but personally as well. First, the concept of tikkun olam, to repair the world, to make the world a better place and more just. This, coupled with the fundamental Jewish tradition of questioning everything, studying and learning, will inform my approach and guide me as I decide, “what is just?”

What is justice?: It depends. In whose eyes? From what perspective? The victim, the accused? Justice cannot be served if we do not recognize that all people, especially in the criminal justice system, are deserving of dignity and respect, no matter the alleged offense. This does not mean the consequences will not be severe where warranted. However, it is a baseline from which to start that will permit understanding what is just with regard to that particular individual.

Maria McLaughlin

Maria McLaughlin wearing judicial robe
Maria McLaughlin
Photo by R.D. Gallego

Running for: Judge, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Why are you running?:
I am running to be a justice on our Supreme Court of Pennsylvania because there is no greater honor than to serve. I am a lifelong Pennsylvanian and giving back was instilled in me at a very young age. It’s what I’ve done my entire life and what I’ve brought my children up to do as well. I took an oath as a young assistant district attorney to serve, because I knew the importance of doing for the greater good. I had the privilege of taking another oath as a Court of Common Pleas judge because I knew I could make an even bigger impact on the bench. When I was sworn in as a judge on our Superior Court of Pennsylvania, I had the honor of taking that oath once again. I promise that if I have the privilege of serving as a justice on our state’s highest court I will make Pennsylvania proud.

How does being Jewish influence your judicial philosophy/professional ethics?: There are codes of conduct within Jewish law that help guide me every day. To judge people fairly, to balance humility and self-esteem and to value the truth are just some examples of how being Jewish has informed the manner in which I conduct myself as a judge and human being. To me, leading an ethical and moral life rooted in my Jewish faith is something I bring with me when ruling on decisions that affect the lives of so many.

Bryan Neft

Courtesy of Vote Neft

Running for: Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Why are you running?: A judge is above all a public servant. I have worked to improve the profession of law, the judiciary and access to justice. I served for many years as a leader and president of the Allegheny County Bar Association, where I championed issues for women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. I continue to serve on the Gender Bias Subcommittee, which resolves claims of gender bias in the bench and bar. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court appointed me to its charitable arm that oversees funding for legal services to the indigent in order to maximize access to justice. I served as a clerk for a judge of the Superior Court where I worked on the variety of cases that come before the Court, and I have practiced before all of the Pennsylvania appellate courts. I want to continue promoting access to justice and fairness on the Superior Court.

How does being Jewish influence your judicial philosophy/professional ethics?: I have lived my life according to the tenet of Tikkun Olam and have raised my children to do the same. Through my charitable service in the Pittsburgh Jewish community, as Chair of the Jewish Federation’s Young Adult Division, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Community Center, and of my synagogue, Congregation Beth El, I understand that people come from all walks of life and that everyone is entitled to justice, full access to the Courts, and a full and fair opportunity to be heard. Through service in the Jewish community and through my charitable work on behalf of the local Attorneys Against Hunger campaign, which has raised over $2 million for hunger relief in Allegheny County, I have heightened my sense of empathy for all who seek the help of the courts, and will work for a fair system for everyone.

Amir Stark

Young man in a suit leans on a railing indoors
Amir Stark
Photo by Gabriela Barrantes

Running for: Judge, The Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, 7th Judicial District

Why are you running?: My decision to run for judge arises from my unwavering belief in the importance of conservative values on the bench and my steadfast desire to preserve the legacy of the retiring Hon. Alan M. Rubenstein, whose soon-to-be vacant seat on the bench I seek to fill. A judge must never legislate from the bench. Rather, a judge must apply the existing law to the particular circumstances of each case, utilize insight and experience to weigh the facts, have the courage to be decisive, and the integrity to articulate the court’s ruling. Justice also demands that all citizens are entitled to fairness, dignity and impartiality that is free from prejudice. These are the principles that define a sound judicial philosophy. If elected, these are the principles that will define me as a judge.

How does being Jewish influence your judicial philosophy/professional ethics?: Justice is an integral concept in Jewish teachings which have been a part of my education since starting first grade at a yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York. The Torah emphasizes the moral and ethical imperatives of justice and this, in turn, informs our secular concepts of justice. Particularly, the concept of compassion in justice transcends the religious and secular divide. A conservative judicial philosophy ensures the greatest and most equal justice and is, therefore, a vehicle of compassion, which is tikkun olam.

Daniel Sulman

Daniel Sulman wearing judicial robe
Daniel Sulman
Photo by Kevin Geary

Running for: Judge, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, 1st Judicial District

Why are you running?: I seek to maintain my seat on the bench because the public is entitled to a qualified and experienced judiciary consisting of committed public servants with integrity, independence and compassion. For nearly two decades, I have dedicated my legal career to public service and to the protection of Philadelphia’s children, families and victims of domestic violence. Of all the candidates seeking election to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, I have the most judicial experience, with nearly three years of service as a Family Court judge. Now more than ever, it is vital that our courts render fair and compassionate decisions which respect the rights and dignity of all who enter the courthouse, regardless of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background.

How does being Jewish influence your judicial philosophy/professional ethics?: As a child, I attended Hebrew school at Oxford Circle Jewish Community Center and later attended Jewish Community High School in the summer and on Sundays. My Jewish upbringing and education has instilled in me the belief that all human beings should be treated with fairness, dignity and respect. As a person who believes strongly in the importance of tikkun olam, I have dedicated my professional life and legal career to the service of some of the most vulnerable people in the city of Philadelphia, including children and victims of domestic violence. I am proud of my long career in public service and I strongly believe that my religious education and life experience as a husband and father of two children has prepared me to exercise the important duties of a judge with humility and compassion.

Betsy Wahl

Betsy Wahl standing outdoors
Betsy Wahl
Courtesy of Betsy Wahl for Judge

Running for: Judge, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, 1st Judicial District

Why are you running?: I started my legal career 35 years ago at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. I’ve tried thousands of cases, including representing high-profile juvenile offenders. I’m also a trained mediator and have taught criminal law. For the last 20 years I’ve run a courtroom in Juvenile Delinquency Court, determining outcomes for thousands of the city’s most vulnerable youth. My work is my passion. Every day I do what I can to get these youth on the right track. That means making sure that when these young people are finished with court supervision, they are high school graduates, crime free, drug free and work-ready. If I were a judge, I would be able to have an even greater impact. Our youth deserve a chance to succeed, and Juvenile Court can play a tremendous role.

How does being Jewish influence your judicial philosophy/professional ethics?: I have always believed that my public service, and specifically my work in Juvenile Court, is my version of tikkun olam. We can only repair the world if we fight for one person at a time, and that starts with young people. I fight for social justice every day, one youth at a time. I sent my son to pre-school at the Germantown Jewish Centre where he also learned the importance of justice and fairness. “Tzedek tzedek tirdof,” justice, justice thou shalt pursue. I pursue justice every day for all, that they may have the same opportunities for success, regardless of income, race, gender or disability. It is my wish that every child I see in Juvenile Court will come away with the same lessons that formed my son at GJC.

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