Campaign Kippah

The red-and-white lettering that reads GORE-LIEBERMAN 2000 is already on signs, bumper stickers and buttons. But thanks to Marsha Greenberg of Stamford, Conn., vice-presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman has it stitched on his kippah.

Greenberg crocheted the blue campaign kippah for Lieberman when the news broke that Vice President Al Gore asked Lieberman to be his running mate.

Greenberg got the kippah to Lieberman through her friend, Harold Bernstein, who is a cousin of Lieberman. Bernstein gave it to one of Lieberman’s aides when the candidates were in Stamford recently.
It was an instant hit with both Lieberman and Gore, but Gore immediately claimed it for himself. So Greenberg, who has crocheted kippot since she was a high school student, made another one for Lieberman.

The vice-presidential candidate isn’t the first high-profile politician to wear one of her creations. The late Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin also had one. The kippah design she made for the race for the White House has been getting a lot of attention. The Associated Press circulated the story of the kippah and The New Republic wrote about it.

“Five thousand years of Jewish history and never has one yarmulke caused so much commotion!” said Greenberg. She has received offers upward of $75 for it.

Whether or not the Democratic ticket wins in November, Greenberg knows there is historical value to the kippah. The National Museum of American Jewish
History in Philadelphia wants one. She also plans to donate one to the Smithsonian Institution for its exhibition on Presidential campaign memorabilia.

This story appears courtesy of The Connecticut Jewish Ledger.

A Modern Orthodox
Top Ten

Within hours of the official announcement of Sen. Joe Lieberman as a contender for the vice presidency, people started sending their “Top Ten” lists about a Jewish veep over the Internet. Early on, Marsha Greenberg composed a distinctly Modern Orthodox version: “Top Ten List of Ways the White House Would Change Under Lieberman.”

10) The State of the Union address would end with an appeal.

9) Air Force One grounded on Shabbat and yom tovim, and seats reconfigured to allow space for minyanim.

8) Young Israel of Pennsylvania Avenue due to open across the street.

7) Supreme Court Justices’ robes to be routinely checked for shatnes.

6) Mohel appointed surgeon general.

5) Traditional Easter Egg Hunt on White House lawn replaced by bedikat chometz.

4) Israeli diplomats visiting White House for state dinners will have to preorder treif meals or risk having to eat glatt kosher with everyone else.

3)First lady’s inaugural gown to be ordered with matching snood.

2)National prayer breakfast to conclude with ecumenical learning of “Daf Yomi.”

1)Secret Service to confer with local Orthodox rabbis to discuss feasibility of enclosing the White House and Capitol in an eruv.

Sherry Shameer, Jewish Telegraphic Agency