Here’s what Israelis4Obama say on YouTube:
We are Israelis and Israeli-Americans who believe Barack Obama will be good for America and good for Israel. In such dramatic times a leader who is able to employ intelligent diplomacy hand in hand with a strong defense is crucial to our future. We urge the Jewish community to hear our voices. Thank you.
VIDEO: Israelis for Obama Read More »
Hollywood Hot for Israel at Star-Studded Paramount Gala Marking Anniversary
There were Hollywood stars and powerful studio heads, politicians, multinational rappers, Israeli Cabinet ministers, the Keshet Chaim dance ensemble, two-dozen Israeli Boy and Girl Scouts, a 3-D film segment, a tennis legend, professional and amateur comedians, resounding shofars, electronic fireworks and tables groaning with biblical fruits.
It was, in the view of Republican stalwart Larry Greenfield, an “eclectic” evening.
Last week’s venue was the Paramount Studio, complete with red carpet, an array of TV news cameras, entertainment reporters thrusting microphones into the faces of the famous and not-so-famous and lovely ladies in designer dresses and an occasional tattoo.
Circuit might have missed a few of the celebrities in the crush, but we spotted Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, Kiefer Sutherland, U.S. Open champ Serena Williams, rapper Seal, Shaun Toub, studio chiefs Sumner Redstone and Terry Semel, music producer David Foster and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
We’re talking, of course, about the celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary, under the banner of “From Vision to Reality,” hosted by the Consulate General of Israel, represented by its top man, Yaakov Dayan, and the Citizens’ Empowerment Center in Israel (CECI), represented by its founder, Izak Parvis Nazarian and his talented family.
Each of the 740 guests paid $1,000 to attend the festivities and to honor Israel-born Arnon Milchan, producer of some 120 movies, including “Pretty Woman,” “L.A. Confidential” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”
Nazarian, who established CECI to promote democracy and voting rights among Israeli citizens and youth, took a back seat at the glittering evening, as did his daughter, Dora Kadisha, the chief organizer of the full, full program.
The lovely face of the family was Dina Kadisha, Dora’s (and Neil’s) daughter, who kept things rolling as mistress of ceremonies.
Israel was well represented by rapper Subliminal and such dignitaries as Education Minister Yuli Tamir, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, former Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and, via video, Tzipi Livni, current foreign minister and potential prime minister.
Peter Chernin, president of News Corp, introduced and semiroasted the guest of honor and presented Milchan with the Legacy of Citizens Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to Israel and the film industry.
In an advance interview with The Journal (see story, page 33), Milchan said he anticipated a “surprise party.” As it turned out, Milchan, a friend of the tennis-famed Williams family, provided his own surprise by calling Serena to the stage to share his own award with the champ.
Milchan used his response to voice some serious thoughts on the Middle East situation. “I am older than the State of Israel itself,” he started. “First we had our neighbors throwing stones, then the stones became rockets and then they became missiles … then we all got more toys and more people died.
“We are all hostages … just imagine if we all helped each other. Maybe we can learn from Warren Beatty, who told me, ‘Keep asking them, maybe one of the girls will say yes.'”
The evening ended late but on a high note with cast and guests belting out the popular Israeli song, “Yachad” (Together).
— Tom Tugend, Contributing Editor
AJCongress Honors Human Rights Advocate
Tucked into the elegant dining room at the Four Seasons Hotel, 150 supporters of American Jewish Congress gathered to salute former Ambassador Pierre-Richard Prosper with the Louis D. Brandeis Award for his work combating war crimes and fighting genocide on an international scale.
Currently an employee of Arent Fox LLP, Prosper was appointed U.S. ambassador by President Bush in 2001 and has an extensive history in high-level diplomacy. As a war crimes prosecutor for the U.N. International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Prosper most notably influenced international law to formally recognize rape as an act of genocide. At the event in his honor, Rabbi Sharon Brous delivered the invocation followed with remarks by Larry Greenfield of the Republican Jewish Coalition and a representative from the office of Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks). Gary P. Ratner, executive director of AJCongress’s Western Region, presented Prosper with the award.
(From left) Robert O’Brien of Arent Fox LLP; Gary P. Ratner, executive director of American Jewish Congress’ Western Region; former Ambassdor Pierre-Richard Prosper; and Claude Alexandre, president of Opportunities Without Borders
Hollywood hot for Israel at Paramount gala; AJCongress honors human rights advocate Read More »
This was seriously some day in my sports life.
Granted, I skipped a jog at the beach this morning because I remembered I hate running, but shortly after lunch the Dodgers won the NL West without even playing. Then, an hour ago, I was freed from the bondage of my couch so I could finally finish a story I’ve had for a WHILE, when the Oregon State Beavers completed their most improbable upset of USC. And, to boot, my favorite Jewish baseball player belted a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th to keep the Brewers in the wild card hunt and keep Mets fans’ stomachs knotted.
To be sure, Ryan Braun, who went to high school with two of my college roommates, is one of the only notable Jewish players in the league right now. The other big name being Kevin Youkilis. But Braun really is something special, and I’d go so far as to call him the second coming of Hank Greenberg. Just look at his numbers from this year:
BA: .286
HR: 36
RBI: 104
Last year, his rookie season, Braun was even better. And not only is he out there giving hope to all us scrawny Jewish kids who didn’t really chose scholarship over sports, he’s also proven to be the real deal in real life. For a refresher from the all-star game, when, thanks to an off-the-cuff remark from Reggie Jackson and a blood-thirsty sports paparazzi, he “was asked to play Abe Foxman instead of left field.”
Daniel Treiman at the Bintel Blog offers the analysis:
There had been questions about how strongly Braun — who has been dubbed “the Hebrew Hammer” by some excited fans — identifies as Jewish. But regarding being asked by a reporter about Jackson’s remarks, Braun explained, “I think that it’s something that comes with the territory. There aren’t too many Jewish athletes at the highest level. It’s something that I certainly embrace. But there are times when people expect me to be aware of issues, like that specific example. I didn’t have any idea what he was talking about.”
Well put. Seriously, how could anyone not root for such a level-headed athlete?
Brains and Braun: Hebrew Hammer instills pride in the Tribe Read More »
I don’t know Ed Schultz and I don’t know his anonymous sources within the McCain campaign, but it’s hard to imagine there aren’t at least some senior staffers who would validate this report from the radio talk-show host:
Capitol Hill sources are telling me that senior McCain people are more than concerned about Palin. The campaign has held a mock debate and a mock press conference; both are being described as “disastrous.” One senior McCain aide was quoted as saying, “What are we going to do?” The McCain people want to move this first debate to some later, undetermined date, possibly never. People on the inside are saying the Alaska Governor is “clueless.”
Ya think?
If you need convincing, check out this post from earlier today about Sarah Palin’s interview with Katie Couric. In it, Palin argues that being neighbors with Russia gives her foreign-policy experience. Right …
There were also that gem of a critique from Matt Damon and the lamentations of conservative blogger Ross Douthat.
Report: McCain staffers say Palin ‘clueless’ Read More »
It’s safe to say that something unprecedented and never before attempted in the history of Judaism took place at “Heeb Storytelling” on Sept. 23: During her 7-minute Jewish stand-up routine, writer Emma Forrest performed a burlesque strip-tease to Craig Taubman’s L’cha Dodi. There she was—on stage in a knit wrap dress, telling a story about self-loathing and her Jewish looks, when in a burst of bravery she lifted the dress over her head and kick-lined around the stage clad in a red-fringe two-piece. It was like Ziegfeld’s Follies transplanted to M Bar in Hollywood—set to the music of Friday Night Live.
“Shed your leaves in winter,” she said. “And you come to bud in spring.”
Forrest wasn’t the only entertainer that evening, just the scene-stealer. The warm British accent, the hot little number and a coterie of fans that included actresses Natalie Portman and Kate Beckinsale as well as her latest flame, Irish-actor Colin Farrell, sporting a Star-of-David dangling from his neck. He looked pleased with her rapturous performance.
Call it racy or raunchy, but this is the kind of Jewish-is-cool Heeb Magazine, the evening’s sponsor, is all about. As publisher Josh Neuman said in his introduction, “The magazine pushes the notion of what constitutes a Jewish story.” The irreverent, tongue-in-cheek quarterly, more than being artsy or literary, promotes a social element that reframes the way in which young Jews can gather together as a community.
“Heeb Storytelling reinforces the central drama of the magazine—it provides a context to explore the wide spectrum of modern Jewishness and a place for those who may not have found a home in institutional Jewish life,” Neuman said.
About once a month, Heeb hosts storytelling events in cities across the country (including New York, L.A., Miami) attracting a diversity of Jews (and non-Jews) to a non-religious, cultural forum. They congregate at hip venues, with ample food and alcohol, a countercultural vibe and serve to stoke excitement for an upcoming issue. They give Heeb the opportunity to showcase the talent pool featured in their ‘zine.
At the Los Angeles event, a sold-out crowd squeezed into red-velvet booths for the 3-hour show featuring a varied line-up: Adam Busch on religious fundamentalism; Liz Feldman on (not) relating to her Grandmother; Nikki Glaser on (not) being Jewish; Naomi Harris on photographing “swingers” and (not) making her parents proud; Dave Nadelberg on anti-Semitism at a Vegas diner; Alessandra Rizzotti on auditioning to be a female Moses; and lastly, L.A. Times columnist Joel Stein, on trying to persuade his (marginally) racist Grandmother to vote for Obama.
If there was a common theme woven through the colorful storytelling of eight edgy young people—it wasn’t Judaism.
Desperate for material, Glaser, who said organizers assumed she was Jewish by name, turned to her Jewish roommate for advice and exclaimed, “I don’t know anything about Judaism!” To which her friend replied, “Neither do Jews.”
While Heeb’s secularist, cultural attitude towards Judaism has ample room for overbearing Grandmothers, the self-hating Jew shield and shallow Jewish pride, it doesn’t much comment on the shared values implicit in such a community.
Instead, it offers a different vision: Forrest, who could have danced to any old song, was inspired by the experience of returning to temple for the first time since she was 10. And it was singing a Hebrew prayer that moved her to dance.
Stripping for HaShem, Heeb-style Read More »
The Jewish Channel has produced a few videos celebrating the High Holy Days and in apparent tribute to VH1. Ben Harris, who last week wrote about the anonymous sex blessing, says the above video is the best.
I love the High Holy Days Read More »
I’ve avoided commenting Sarah Palin’s good looks because, frankly, I’ve been a bit repulsed by how often, and explicit, some fantasizing journalists have been. Yeah, she’s hot, but have you heard her speak?
Slate, though, has a fascinating article today that makes this topic worthy of dicussion. It’s about how Palin is the archetype for the sexy Puritan, a formidable foe of the left in the culture wars. Other pious honeys include Britney Spears before mental breakdown and “The View’s” Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Here’s how these warriors are purportedly used:
The right has understood for a long time that harsh social messages seem a lot more palatable coming from an attractive young woman than a glowering old man. What’s most striking about Palin thus far is her reluctance to engage in explicit cultural warfare, given some of the extreme positions she’s taken in the past. Her recent public statements on homosexuality and global warming are more conciliatory than one might have expected, designed to reassure socially moderate swing voters. And she’s in no position to pontificate on the benefits of abstinence-only sex education. For now, her role in the culture war is mainly symbolic. Millions of Americans clearly see her as “one of us”—a devout, working-class, “Bible-believing” Christian whose values and opinions and way of speaking reflect their own—and their exhilaration at having a kindred spirit on the GOP ticket has given the McCain campaign a jolt of populist energy.
In the weeks remaining before Nov. 4, the Obama campaign faces the challenging job of restoring clarity to the election, making people look at Palin and see not just a plucky, surprisingly hot, pro-life mom who made her way from the PTA to the governor’s office, but a “Young Earth” creationist who opposes abortion even in the case of rape or incest and thinks a natural-gas pipeline is an expression of God’s will. In the meantime, though, she remains a perfect emblem for a stealth culture war: a sexy librarian who would be more than happy to ban a few books.
Sarah Palin and other sexy Puritans Read More »
Now this is getting out of hand. Today’s choice quote on Sarah Palin is courtesy of Kathleen Parker at the conservative National Review:
“If BS were currency, Palin could bail out Wall Street herself.”
Read the rest of her column here.
Conservatives are piling on Palin attacks Read More »
FRI | SEPT 26
(SHABBAT)
Step outside the box and into the outdoor air for a musical Shabbat on the Promenade. Alula Tzadik, an Ethiopian Jew who is a staple at Sinai’s Friday Night Live, Nashuva and Adat Ari El, is assembling a group of spiritual leaders for a public Shabbat service led by Rabbi Monty Turner. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. 1322 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica. (323) 472-7484. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.alpertjcc.org.
(CONCERT)
Kick back under a starry sky and listen to some smooth jazz with Dave Koz, who headlines tonight at the 12th annual Mercedes-Benz WaveFest. The Encino-born saxophonist and 94.7 The WAVE radio host recently released a greatest hits collection and got his own star on the Walk of Fame. Koz will perform on the same bill with Average White Band, vocalist Brenda Russell, and Joe Sample and Randy Crawford. Friday show features Anita Baker. Sat. 7 p.m. $29.75-$129.75. The Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont, Los Angeles. (323) 665-5857. ” title=”make history today”>make history today when it becomes the first in the nation to fly Israel’s flag outside its doors. A star-studded lineup, including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Consul General Jacob Dayan,  852-5500. <a href=)
” target=”_blank”>http://www.israeliconsulatela.org.
(MUSIC)
Whether you’ve still not seen “Wicked” or want the opportunity to relive the spectacular Broadway hit, Stephen Schwartz has a treat just for you. In “Defying Gravity: Stephen Schwartz and Friends,” the composer will be joined by Debbie Gravitte and Scott Coulter as he plays favorites from “Wicked” as well as the films “Enchanted” and “Prince of Egypt.” Sun. 2 p.m. $45. Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. (310) 506-4522 or (213) 365-3500. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.vistadelmar.org.
(FILM)
Part of a double-feature screening of new films from Germany features “And Along Came Tourists.” Sven travels to Auschwitz and becomes the caretaker for an embittered Holocaust survivor to fulfill his national service abroad. After meeting interpreter Ania, the two find love in the unlikeliest of places. This showing is preceded by “The Wave.” Sun. 7:30 p.m. $10. The Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (323) 634-4878. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.circlesocal.org.
(CONFERENCE)
You know a city has historic significance when Steven Spielberg uses its name for the title of a film. But this weeklong conference, “Remembering Munich: The Legacy of Appeasement” is not about the 1972 Olympic games tragedy. Instead, it recalls the 70th anniversary of the Munich Agreement, detailing Hitler’s territorial demands on the eve of World War II. The American Freedom Alliance presentation features commentary from scholars, statesman and community leaders from around the world, including the former prime ministers of Australia and of the Czech Republic. Sun. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Reception to follow. Free. InterContinental Hotel, Grand Salon, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Century City. (310) 444-3085. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.sinaitemple.org.
Apples and honey are one thing, but appletinis are quite another. Gather with Stephen S. Wise’s “W Group” (20s and 30s) for the sixth annual Appletini Party, stocked with drinks and dessert, immediately following erev Rosh Hashanah services. Mon. 9:30 p.m. Free. Stephen S. Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.chaicenter.org.
Chabad of the Conejo is transforming The Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Hotel into a holy place for services this year. Attendees also have the option of staying at a High Holy Days retreat complete with meals, so call to make reservations. Mon. 6:30 p.m. $50-$100. Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel, 880 South Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. (818) 991-0991. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.jewishmalibu.com.
California State University, Northridge, is offering students free services both days of Rosh Hashanah. Mon. 6 p.m. and Tue. 10 a.m. Free (students), $125 (guests). $10 (dinner). CSUN Hillel, 17729 Plummer St., Northridge. (818) 887-5901 or (818) 886-5101. ” target=”_blank”>http://jha.org.
Celebrate the High Holy Days in a historic log building among the Ponderosa Pines with B’nai Big Bear. Mon. 6-9:45 p.m. $36 (members), $100 (nonmembers). Miller Park, 1178 Chickasaw Lane, Fawnskin. (909) 866-9556. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.jewishjournal.com/calendar.
Everyone is welcome to cast away their sins at Nashuva’s popular Tashlich at Venice Beach. This meaningful ritual gets elevated when you dress in white, toss your crumbs, pound on drums and blow the shofar. Tue. 4:30 p.m. Free. Where Venice Boulevard meets the sand. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.jconnectla.com.
The sweetness of comedy-lover and Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada pervades this New Year celebration as the Sunset Boulevard staple opens its doors to everybody, especially “actors, writers and comedians who can’t afford to join a temple,” for free High Holy Days services conducted by Rabbi Bob Jacobs. No donations or tickets accepted. Now that’s almost laughable. Tue. 11 a.m. Free. The Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 656-1336. ” target=”_blank”>http://chabadofconejo.com.
The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring hosts a sweet treat with reflections on the past year, followed by a snack with apples, challah and honey. Tue. 3 p.m. $10 (members), $20 (nonmembers). Arbeter Ring, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 552-2007. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>contemporary music. Kosky will debut his dark adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” at UCLA Live’s seventh International Theatre Festival. Starring Martin Neidermair and featuring Kosky’s solo performance of his original live music, the director transforms Poe’s tale of murder and retribution into a haunting theatrical and musical experience. Wed. 8 p.m. $46. Through Oct. 5. (310) 825-2101. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.hollywoodbowl.com.
THU | OCT 2
(STAGED READING)
Watch the 2008 vice-presidential nominees Joe Biden and Sarah Palin square off on the big screen followed by a staged reading about the 1950 California Senate race that earned young Richard Nixon the nickname “Tricky Dick.” After Nixon falsely accused three-time liberal Rep. Helen Gahagan Douglas of being a  470-0492. <a href=)
” target=”_blank”>http://www.tickets.landmarktheatres.com.
(BOOK CLUB)
Dive into the Jewish literature you’ve always heard about but never read. Michal Lemberger, a UCLA English professor and freelance writer, will moderate the discussion during Westwood Branch Library’s Three-Part Jewish Literature Series. Among the books to be read: “The Chosen,” by best-selling author Chaim Potok, about the friendship that develops between two teenage Jewish boys; and “Foreskin’s Lament: A Memoir,” by Shalom Auslander, a funny reflection about the role of faith by the “This American Life” contributor and author of “Beware of God: Stories.” Thu. 6-7 p.m. Free. Westwood Branch Library, 1246 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1739. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>holidays where dinner, music and services will calm you from Rosh Hashanah and pep you up for Yom Kippur. Fri. 7:30 p.m. $10 (dinner, R.S.V.P.). Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. (310) 926-2386. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.booksoup.com.
(FILM)
Bill Maher has taken his irreverent humor and distaste for religion to the silver screen. In the documentary “Religulous,” directed by Larry Charles of “Borat” fame, Maher travels the world questioning religious devotees about their faith as he investigates religion’s “place” in society. The host of HBO’s “Real Time” uses his biting sarcasm and quick wit to challenge his subjects and explain his view that religion is silly and dangerous. In the end, Maher makes a powerful plea to the viewer advocating the separation of church and state. ” title=”Lilly Fowler”>Lilly Fowler contributed to this article
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Barack Obama has hit a wall of Jewish indecision.
The American Jewish Committee survey published Thursday shows the Democratic presidential nominee still hovering around 60 percent among Jewish voters. His big problem: the undecideds.
The U.S. senator from Illinois scored 57 percent, compared to 30 percent of respondents who said they would vote for his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). That’s consistent with two other major polls taken since May.
If Obama’s figure holds, he would finish about 15 points behind the 75 percent of the Jewish vote that Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) won in 2004, according to exit polls.
“He seems to have reached a plateau,” said David Singer, the AJC’s research director. He noted that Jews amonf the party faithful are strongly supportive of their respective candidates, with 81 percent of Jewish Democrats backing Obama and 84 percent of Jewish Republicans backing McCain.
“In the past, Jewish independents usually in their voting behavior tended to go Democratic” by this point in the campaign, Singer said. “It’s this group that seems to be hesitating.” The AJC survey found an even split among Jewish independents for McCain and Obama — with 20 percent still undecided.
Part of the explanation is McCain’s popularity among Jews relative to President Bush, who garnered only 24 percent of the Jewish vote in 2004 even after four years of what was widely seen as consistently strong support for Israel.
McCain’s appeal combines similar support for Israel with a reputation as a moderate — one that Jewish Democrats say is no longer deserved after McCain picked a staunch religious conservative, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, as his running mate.
A similar poll conducted by the AJC four years ago, in September 2004, showed Kerry at 69 percent and Bush at 24 percent. Kerry ultimately persuaded the undecideds to vote for him six weeks later.
Whether Obama can do the same in the time remaning before the election with twice as many undecideds up for grabs this time around is a worrying question for Democrats. They say that a Republican campaign depicting Obama as overly sympathetic to Palestinians and as insufficiently confrontational with Iran, as well as an internet-based campaign falsely depicting Obama as a secret Muslim, has hurt support for the Democrat among Jews.
“The concerns about Obama, the issues, the smears, the falsehoods, have already been widely circulated and are well known,” said Mik Moore, who runs JewsVote.org, an effort to get out the Jewish vote among Democrats.
Matt Brooks, who directs the Republican Jewish Coalition, said his ads in Jewish newspapers in swing states where Jews may make a difference — particularly Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio — have raised substantive questions about Obama.
Brooks cited Obama’s emphasis on the need for more diplomacy in dealing with Iran and his bungled efforts to explain his views on Jerusalem — and Brooks predicted bigger gains come Election Day.
“This poll is just another data point in an ongoing series of polls that underscore the tremendous problems Barack Obama has among Jewish voters,” Brooks said.
Throwing Obama’s difficulties into even sharper relief is that the poll shows Jews are consistently liberal.
Jewish Democrats comprised 56 percent of the respondents in the AJC poll. A majority of all respondents — 47 percent to 42 percent, all Jews — opposed “the United States taking military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons,” a striking number in a community where the organizational leadership almost unanimously supports the idea of keeping the military option against Iran on the table.
Despite McCain’s relatively stronger showing, 54 percent of respondents disapproved of his choice of Palin as a running mate.
Moore said those differences would inform his effort to tilt the undecideds toward Obama. “The Sarah Palin choice was unbelievably unpopular. That’s just beginning to sink in and have an impact and will continue to have an impact in weeks to come,” he said.
Ira Forman, who directs the National Jewish Democratic Council, said he also saw the “undecided” numbers as an obstacle, but not an insurmountable one. He noted that part of the poll, taken Sept. 8-21, was during McCain’s post-convention “bounce.”
“The way national numbers move, Jewish numbers move,” he said, referring to McCain’s decline in recent polls.
The AJC poll surveyed 914 Jews over the phone and had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
Among its other findings:
Obama earned the support of just 13 percent of Orthodox Jews, compared to 59 of Conservative Jews, 62 percent of Reform Jews and 61 percent of those who identified as “just Jewish.” McCain garnered 78 percent of Orthodox Jews, against 26 percent of Conservative Jews, 27 percent of Reform Jews, and 26 percent of those identifying as “just Jewish.”
Mark Mellman, a Democratic pollster, also predicted that Obama would make gains among Jewish voters by Election Day.
He said it was unfair to compare Obama with recent Democratic candidates. Bill Clinton’s respective opponents in 1992 and 1996 — President George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole – did not have good relations with the Jewish community, Mellman said. Al Gore in 2000 tapped Joe Lieberman, making him the first Jew on a national ticket, and the current President Bush was perceived as polarizing among Jews when Kerry ran against him in 2004, he said.
Referring to Obama’s consistent 60 percent range, Mellman said: “It’s still well in the range that other Democrats before Clinton have gotten.”
Poll: Obama hits wall with ‘undecided’ Jews Read More »