Some Chicago Jews Say Obama Is Actually The "First Jewish President"
Clay
Quite a few of Barack Obama's "friends from the past" have popped up
recently. It's doubtful whether he even knows their names, but in the
Chicago Jewish community many people really are long-time friends of
the president-elect. Some of the older people in the community say
that they "raised him," while others half-jokingly call Obama "the
first Jewish president."
They raised contributions for him, provided him with contacts, and
also enjoyed hosting him and believed in his glorious future in
politics. During most of the campaign, when rumors were spreading
among American Jews that Obama was a closet Muslim who was more
supportive of the Palestinians and was interested in granting the
president of Iran legitimacy, his support among American Jews did not
even come close to that enjoyed by Bill Clinton. But at the moment of
truth, according to the exit polls, it turns out that 78 percent of
Jews voted for Obama.
Members of the Chicago Jewish community are not surprised. They claim
that the Jews simply discovered what they have known for years. Obama
lives near the synagogue in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, an
area with quite a large Jewish population. Some of area visitors may
even mistake the heavy security presence on the street for the
synagogue's location - that is, until they hear about Obama.
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Alan Solow, an attorney from Chicago, a leader of the Jewish community
and a veteran Obama supporter, was one of the few who gained access to
the president-elect after his speech in Chicago's Grant Park last
week. "After his speech on Tuesday night [election day] in front of
hundreds of thousands people, he was the same Barack Obama I know. I
think his life is going to change, but it won't change the type of
person he is. Presidents tend to become isolated, but I'm confident
he'll fight hard against it," he says.
Solow used to live in Obama's neighborhood, and says that Obama has
always had "excellent relations with the Jewish community."
"As a local senator, he was very effective and helpful in what we call
'the Jewish agenda,' the community issues, values. He has always had a
deep understanding of Israel's need for security. I went with him to
Israel for a week in January 2006, and when he started the race for
the presidency I had no doubt I'd support him. The first thing that
impressed me about him was his intellect - he's one of the smartest
people I've met - but he's also a warm and caring person who has a
keen interest in issues that people of this country are worried
about," continues Solow.
"I said with a smile that he will be the first Jewish president. He
also has a deep understanding of issues that confront Israel and the
Jewish community. And I think his personal story reflects the story of
Jewish immigration to the United States.
"He was raised in a family without any built-in advantages: His father
was a stranger, but with the help of a close family and an emphasis on
education and hard work, he succeeded. It's the Jewish story in
America. He understands it, and that's why he's so close to the Jewish
community. His first autobiography is about seeking his roots and he
understands Jewish people's yearning for this - it fits into his world
view and it's one of the reasons for his support of Israel. When he
says that Israel's security is sacrosanct, I believe him. As I know
him, he won't say things he doesn't really mean. And he has a lot of
close Jewish friends who can confirm this."
Solow is also very familiar with Obama's first appointment - his
designated White House chief of staff. "Rahm is an active member of
Jewish community, his children go to the day schools and he was always
recognized as Jewish when he was Clinton's advisor. But I don't
believe that the fact that he's a devoted Jew and supports Israel has
anything to do with his appointment. He's simply the best person for
this job, because of his experience in Congress and in Clinton's
administration, and because of his intellect. But his support of
Israel fits with the president-elect's thinking."
Michael Bauer, a political activist from the community who has known
Obama for over a decade and supported his presidential campaign, says
his first reaction to Obama's victory was disbelief. "It seemed like a
dream. After the election, I had a brief opportunity to congratulate
him, to exchange a hug with Barack, a kiss with Michelle. We're very
proud of him and we're sure he'll successfully handle the big
challenges facing the country and the new president," he says.
"If we go back to his work as a State senator, his Senate district had
a relatively high percentage of Jews, and more importantly, it was a
Jewish population involved both politically and with charity
organizations. When he was in the State Senate, the Democrats were a
minority. When you're a minority you don't get too much accomplished.
Neither Barack as a State Senator nor any of his colleagues were able
to accomplish a great deal, because of Republican control of the State
Senate. However, because of his district, it was always clear to me
that many people supporting Barack are active in the Jewish community
both locally and nationally. And they agreed about his sensitivity to
a number of issues - the issue of the U.S-Israel relationship and
domestically, issues that many of us are concerned about, be it the
separation of Church and State, women's right to choose, etc. It was
always a natural fit between the Jewish community and Barack Obama. He
understands those issues. Frankly, he's so smart he understands them
better than most of us," says Bauer.
Identifying with Sderot
"As a U.S. senator he visited Israel twice, and especially the second
time I think was highly significant," Bauer continues. "I think it was
important to him personally to go to Sderot and see the proximity
involved when Israel is attacked on a daily basis from Gaza. I think
it was also symbolic for the people of Israel and the worldwide
community, as well as the Jewish community, to see Barack Obama going
to Sderot and speaking about it, that as president it will be
unacceptable to him and he recognizes Israel's right to defend itself.
This symbolism was important on so many different levels. I've known
the president-elect for over 10 years, and his values and principles
never change. If you ask me whether I have confidence that he'll
continue to be committed to Israel's existence as a Jewish state
within secure borders - I have absolutely no doubt."
"President Bush supported Israel as well, but after eight years of his
support Israel faces a stronger Iran, Hezbollah at the northern
border, Hamas at the southern border - and Hamas gained a sort of
political legitimacy. I think George Bush was a disaster for the State
of Israel. And I think Obama's administration understands Israel's
needs for safety and security, the importance of Israel remaining a
Jewish state, and will try to help to mediate a peace in the Middle
East that accomplishes those goals. There are still people who don't
believe it, but the great thing in democracy is that everyone has an
opinion and you don't need 100 percent consensus. I think peace in the
Middle East is one of his highest priorities - he's not going to wait
for seven years as a president to start working on it."
Bauer was also heavily involved in Rahm Emanuel's campaign for
Congress. "Let me say something about Rahm. One of the things people
don't like about him is the fact he's short with people, but it's only
because he's such a smart person. He doesn't need a 15-minute phone
conversation, he gets to the issues in three minutes. And Israel -
it's in his blood. The fact that Joe Biden, with a long record of
supporting Israel, is Obama's vice president-elect and Rahm Emanuel is
his chief of staff - I'm not sure what reassurance anyone needs that
the president-elect when he is president will remain a close ally of
the State of Israel and the people of Israel."
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-C-
jojo
> By Natasha Mozgovaya
>
> Quite a few of Barack Obama's "friends from the past" have popped up
> recently. It's doubtful whether he even knows their names, but in the
> Chicago Jewish community many people really are long-time friends of
> the president-elect. Some of the older people in the community say
> that they "raised him," while others half-jokingly call Obama "the
> first Jewish president."
>
US Jews voted for Obama, but Americans in Israel and Israelis in the
US (who can vote) voted for McCain, and polls show that most Israelis
supported McCain.
This is not only because of the anti-Israel rumors about Obama.
Israelis also favored Bush over Kerry, even by a wider margin. It's
also because Israelis are more right-wing, religious and conservative
than US Jews. The gap between Israelis and US Jews is widening.
BikeFan
Well, there is a fracture amongst Jews in Israel too. There have long
been rumours that a civil war might erupt there.
--
BikeFan
To the GOP, Neocons and Bush from Oliver Cromwell:
"You have been sat too long here for any good you have been doing.
Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!."