Wooing the Jews
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September 5, 2012
A Republican might blame the Democrats for “wavering in their support for Israel.” The Democrats might pin it on the Republicans for attempting to “politicize what has traditionally been a non-partisan issue.” Either way, the Jewish vote remains in play this election cycle, with potential benefits for the Jewish state and the Jewish body politic.
Although President Obama won 74 percent of the Jewish vote in 2008, tracking polls suggest that number is down to 68 percent. As the Forward explained, “If Obama loses 10 percent of Jewish votes he won in 2008, that would translate to 85,000 votes in Florida, 41,500 in Pennsylvania, and 19,000 in Ohio.” Those are alluring numbers to both parties, which in their national conventions have found ways to put Jewish voters and their concerns front and center.
During the Republican convention in Tampa last week, delegates were treated to a minute-and-a-half-long video touting candidate Mitt Romney’s record on Israel. In his acceptance speech, Romney charged that Obama “has thrown allies like Israel under the bus” and “failed to slow Iran’s nuclear threat.” The Democrats have countered with an eight-minute video called “America & Israel: Standing Strong Together” and, as a prelude to the convention, ran a training session in Charlotte on Jewish outreach. Activists were urged to press the Democrats’ advantage on domestic policy as well as what they see as Obama’s strong support for Israel.
Turning Israel into a partisan issue would have been anathema to the pro-Israel activists of a generation ago. But that was a different world, when the parties themselves were more likely to reach across the aisle on a host of issues. Rather than curse the politicization of Israel, we might appreciate that neither party is taking the Jewish vote for granted. That forces politicians to take our concerns seriously, and demands that they formulate clear positions on Israel and the Middle East beyond the campaign slogans.
No doubt the claims and counter-claims can and do get nasty. But if both sides can remain honest and civil, the campaign for the Jewish vote has the potential to make our community stronger and the U.S.-Israel alliance even closer.
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RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG
September 06, 2012
The man behind “Rabbis for Romney.”
By Michael Podwill
Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg who stands determined to create “Rabbis for Romney.”
This spiritual leader at Edison, New Jersey’s conservative Congregation Beth-El is emphatic in conveying that his interest in “Rabbis for Romney” is apolitical—at least in the conventional sense.
“I’m not advocating here for either candidate,” the rabbi affirmed. What is it then that makes “Rabbis for Romney” so vital? Simply this: The rabbi wants Jews to be represented in a real and accurate light. When our media-dependent society hears only about “Rabbis for Obama,” the erroneous conclusion some might draw is that Jews unilaterally support Obama. That’s incorrect. While a big majority of Jewish votes (some 64%, according to a June Gallup poll) will indeed go Democratic, the remainder will go to Mr. Romney.
The rabbi explained his position: “I want America and the world to know that it’s not just rabbis for one candidate only.” Again, he isn’t speaking as a political pollster. In a world of hardball, where “fairness” is just a politician’s hollow promise, the rabbi sees great danger in Democrats taking the Jewish vote for granted—and Republicans mistakenly assuming that Jewish support is beyond the pale.
In short, Rabbi Rosenberg is determined to maximize the value of the Jewish vote to both sides. Let Democrats and Republicans alike earn Jewish support—through their words and deeds. That support should not be assumed by anyone—or any party. Be assured, the value of Jewish votes is indeed real. Though few in number, Jews are concentrated in critical states like New York, California and, of utmost importance this year, Florida. Then there’s this: The percentage of Jewish voters is enormous; eligible Jewish voters vote.
The rabbi’s realpolitik approach is undoubtedly based upon personal history. His Polish-born parents endured the horrors of Buchenwald and Auschwitz. Somehow they survived, but their own parents and their children were massacred by Hitler’s Nazis. After the war, the couple were sent to a displaced persons camp in Regensburg, Germany where, 64 years ago, their son Bernhard was born. Four years later, this family, these survivors, made their way to a new life in America.
Today, Rabbi Rosenberg is a Holocaust scholar and his books include two acknowledged classics: “Theological and Halakhic References on the Holocaust” and “Contemplating the Holocaust.” Having suffered first hand from the darkest ravages of anti-Semitism, the rabbi is determined to do all he can to ensure another Holocaust won’t happen.
“I don’t want Jews pegged as being on one side or another,” the rabbi said, “because as history so often teaches us, that ultimately leads to anti-Semitism.” Today, we have to be more vigilant than ever—because anti-Semitism is on the rise again—in America and worldwide. And yes, despite the timeless admonition of “Never again,” another Holocaust can happen for sure.
Any way you look at it, Rabbi Rosenberg’s “Rabbis for Romney” is surely going against the popular grain, and against a media monolith. You might call him David against an organizational Goliath. But the rabbi bears an important message. And you can be sure that his message will be heard.
Note: To join “Rabbis for Romney,” please contact
Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)