Moshe Starkman

Abstract

Moshe Starkman

Technology

Politics

Serving the Community

"I believe America is a special national - unique in the world - and that we must recognize and protect the blessings that have been handed down to us from our ancestors. We must recognize that all men and women have been granted certain rights by God and that these rights are inalienable.

I am concerned, however, that many of our elected officials do not look to the US Constitution when deciding policy and are too quick to abandon time-tested, proven means of national prosperity. The lures of 'progressive' solutions seduce the mind but are uncertain and often time unreliable. Policies must be made in consideration of a larger picture that appreciates the wisdom of past mistakes and is forward thinking.

I hope to utilize the wisdom of history and the knowledge of worldwide experience to understand what works and what is beneficial to our Liberty and Prosperity."

Moshe Starkman - July 03, 2009

Young Republicans & Leadership
Not content to keep a failed status quo in Montgomery County, in 2006 Moshe joined the MC Young Republicans as VP of Technology and subsequently served two terms as President. While serving as president of his local county, Moshe was elected VP of Club Development by the Maryland Young Republicans exec board and worked tirelessly to engage counties from all over the state and facilitate club growth wherever possible. Now, after building strong relationships with Maryland's Republican Central Committees, grassroots activists, and YR's from all over the state, Moshe has declared his candidacy for chairman of the Maryland Young Republicans.

Name:	Moshe Starkman
Residence:	Aspen Hill, MD
Birthdate:	December 25, 1977
Birthplace:	Hackensack, NJ
Family:	Wife, Rachael; four children
Occupation:	Moshe Technologies, Owner
Party:	Republican, Treasurer of the MCGOP
Worldview:	Conservative
Faith:	Jewish

Summary:	Strengthening the Community Moshe lives a life dedicated to serving his community. By 30, Moshe had established a new Congregation in Rockville, founded a multi-state not-for-profit to promote youth development, and started a technology firm specializing in website development and data management. Despite his success in business and relative success in local politics, Moshe continues to make youth development #1 on his list of priorities. From teaching high school students two nights a week in Olney, MD to traveling between Baltimore and Philadelphia to help Torah Youth, he doesn't seem to stop moving. Creating Opportunity for Others to Succeed In 2006, Moshe was introduced to politics by his close friend and mentor, Jeff Stein. He then went on that year to become the Republican nominee to US Congress. Since the election, Moshe has reviewed federal government with a specific focus on tax management, foreign policy, and immigration. He is an outspoken critic of government waste and an advocate for the establishment and preservation of a safe environment for children to learn, grow, and become productive members and leaders of our great heritage. In 2007, Moshe continued working to help Montgomery County residents address the specific issues that are unique to our diverse county. His short campaign for the 2008 Republican nomination enjoyed the endorsement of coalitions that benefit minorities as well as liberal Republicans. From left to right, Moshe benefitted from friendships that rise above political slander and pre-judgment. In bridging the gaps that divide us, Moshe has demonstrated his principled and Conservative approach to problem solving. He works hard; is sensitive to the needs of others; is faithful to both God and family; and most of all, is willing to help build and strengthen his friends, family, and neighborhood wherever he can. In the summer of 2008 Moshe was humbled and honored when he received the MCGOP 2007 "Man of the Year" award for his leadership in technology and political innovation; coupled with his efforts to facilitate bi-partisan discussion and create a more open-minded political environment in Montgomery County. He was further humbled in November of that year when he was elected treasurer of the Montgomery County Republican Party in special session. Also in that same year Moshe served as delegate for Fred Thompson for President and then co-chair of Maryland's Future Leaders for McCain team. In 2009, Moshe was appointed by county executive Ike Leggett to Montgomery County's Charter Review Commission where he reviews the governing documents of the county. Nationally, Moshe was tapped by the RNC's Tech Summit outreach program to head a team of technology leaders in an effort to further advance the GOP's technology base and continues to assist the RNC in the capacity of consultant and New Media advocate.

A Tough Start

Moshe grew up in a family that consisted of his mother and younger brother. As a young child, he watched his mother work 2+ jobs to pay bills, finish school, and make ends meet. Beginning as early as 5 years old, Moshe became responsible for the feeding and dressing of his younger brother. Despite all of this, he says that he never heard his mother say "it's not fair". Together, they took every day as it came to them and pushed forward. In his own words, "we were happy."

"I believe my strong work ethic and commitment to helping others can be traced back to my mother. It may be cliché, but I truly believe I would not be where I am today without her support, love, and strength."

Adolescence, Faith, Education

Michael Moshe Starkman Growing up, Moshe attended a small, traditional Jewish School in his home town. It was there that he learned about charity, kind deeds, and the importance of traditional education. (At the time, they were not observant Jews and Moshe recalls how all that he learned regarding Kosher, Sabbath, and the 613 commandments, was lost on him.) In his 10 years at this school he learned the value of humanity and that all people, "including me", are created in the image of God and that every person has value.

This lesson became significant in high school when his friends began to experiment with sex and drugs. Despite his youth, Moshe could not join as his friends risked their bodies and mind "for fun". For Moshe, his outlets were sports and video games. He joined his high school football, wrestling, and tennis teams in their respective seasons but made a decision not to attend raves or certain parties. This lifestyle was not without sacrifice.

By the middle of his sophomore year his mother had become sensitive to his lack of after-school social life and "sports only" weekends. She felt this was unhealthy and signed him up with a local, Synagogue Youth program. There, he recounts meeting dozens (if not hundreds) of kids who enjoyed sports, performed good deeds, and rejected drugs. It was also there that he re-found faith and began the long road towards observant Judaism.

After high school, he attended two years of college in Israel and two years in Silver Spring to receive a bachelor's in Talmudic Law. From there, he went on to George Washington University towards a masters degree in Education and Family Development.

Family

In the summer of 1998 he met his future wife at a summer camp in Silver Spring. They married in the summer of 2000 and, in his words, "I have been a better man since." Currently, they live in Rockville, MD and have 3 children, 2 boys and a girl.

Professional Development

Moshe worked in technology and adolescent education for the greater part of these last ten years. While growing professionally through the ranks of software development and database architecture, he remained committed to youth development through teaching and youth programming. Currently, he is self-employed through Moshe Technologies and has partnered with friends in promoting DC-Metro businesses through a joint marketing firm. Additionally, he remains committed to education and teaches supplemental Judaic-studies to public school students in Olney, MD.

Politics

From the perspective of many of his friends and associates, this part of his life is the most curious. His friends, although strong supporters of this campaign and success, are not shy in expressing their disappointment with his involvement in politics and government. But for Starkman, he feels strongly that hard-working citizens would be better served by people who are genuinely concerned for the working family's best interests. Additionally, he is concerned about the increasing size of federal government and the pervasive, bi-partisan corruption therein.

In 2006, a friend (Jeff Stein) entered the race for US Congress in Maryland's 8th district and asked Starkman to join his team in the capacity of campaign manager. After seeing Jeff's platform and commitment to preserving the great heritage of American history, Starkman readily agreed and worked to promote Jeff's campaign. During the course of the campaign (and after no Republicans stepped up), the Central Committees of Montgomery and Prince George's County nominated Michael Moshe Starkman as their candidate for the 2006 general election. Despite his own nomination, he continued to work very hard for his friend's campaign while doing what he could to promote his own. In this time, over the course of the two campaigns, Starkman enjoyed the opportunity to speak with hundreds of people and learn what the working man (and woman) are hoping for. Basically, what he found was that the people of Greater Washington want a government that they can trust. A government that doesn't say one thing and do another; doesn't make promises then ignore them; and most importantly, a Government that embraces the Liberty of every free man, woman, and child in the United States of America.

"I look forward to when my electorate knows who I am, appreciates how I sincerely wish to serve them, and is ready to select me as their representative in government."

Investing in the Greater Washington Community

I believe that every person should try to appreciate the security and peace that we enjoy in this country. For me, I am most appreciative of our first-responders (police, fire, medics) and our country's strong medical capabilities. As such, and second only to charities for the poor, our charitable contributions always start with police, fire, and cancer research. (I contribute to education through personally teaching and giving to school fund-raisers.)

A Family Working Together

In the summer of 2000, together with the Berman Hebrew Academy, my wife (of one week) and I founded a new synagogue where I served as community leader for the first 4 years. The purpose of this congregation is to provide a community for parents and students of the Berman Academy who live nearby. Additionally, we serve the local Jewish population as a synagogue within walking distance for families that do not drive on the Sabbath. In my role as community leader, I was responsible for delivering the weekly sermon, providing adult-education classes for both beginners and learned congregants, and assisting families in a variety of life-cycle needs. I believe these experiences have made me a stronger, more capable leader for those whom I represent.

Seeing a Problem, Creating a Solution

Torah Youth Association A few years ago, while serving as Executive Director of a local youth organization, I perceived a need within the Jewish community that I felt was not being adequately addressed. More specifically, I felt that traditional day school students were not getting appropriate exposure to "the real world" and were often left unprepared to deal with the variety of challenges that today's society presents. Therefore, in 2003 - together with the help of a close friend - I founded a not-for-profit organization that gives day school students opportunities to play organized sports; chat with mentors, teachers, and peers outside of the classroom about day-to-day living; and feel connected to a vibrant, yet traditional way of life. The organization currently runs an active program in Baltimore for high school boys and girls and a middle-school program in Philadelphia, PA - the Silver Spring program is currently being re-developed. Through this organization we have worked with over 600 students and teachers, and continue to bring value to the Jewish community.