This week in power: U.N. aftermath, Obama voters, Rosh Hashana message, Perry dancing

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

U.N, showdown
Leaders from both Israel and for the Palestinians ” title=”http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-s-political-tsunami-has-arrived-1.386487″>said Barak Ravid at Haaretz. “The cold welcome Netanyahu received stood in stark contrast with the massive support Abbas received from the international community. If anyone still had any doubts – this what a political tsunami looks like, and this is what international isolation feels like.” The climate has changed a bit, but “Mr. Netanyahu is ready to negotiate today—if only Mr. Abbas is willing,” ” title=”http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/opinion/friedman-2-for-2-or-2-for-1.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss”>wondered Thomas Friedman in The New York Times. “We really are back at the beginning of this conflict. Until each side reassures the other that both of them really do want two states for two people — not just for one — nothing good is going to happen out there, but something really bad might.”

Obama struggling
Another week, another worry for Obama as he courts the Jewish vote. An American Jewish Committee poll ” title=”http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/american-jewish-committee-poll-obama-disappoints-but-well-vote-for-him/2011/03/29/gIQAyNE6yK_blog.html”>warned Jennifer Rubin at The Washington Post. “The dichotomy between what Jewish voters think of Obama’s performance and how they will vote remains. Jews may be moving away from their reflexive attachment to the Democratic Party, but they have hardly renounced it.” It might just be ” title=”http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishFeatures/Article.aspx?id=239423″>Year of Civility” message this new year, hoping to change the culture in Washington. Furthermore, ” title=”http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2011/09/23/3089557/obama-and-the-rabbis”>JTA’s Ron Kampeas asked, “If sermons are not timely, who’s going to listen?” While that’s all well and good, “the bottom line is that we are spiritual leaders and not political pundits,”” title=”http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/64373.html”>uncovered some embarrassing video of Rick Perry dancing with some rabbis at a Chanukah celebration last year. “Every politician has to do embarrassing things to get votes. This is one of them,” ” title=”http://www.dennyburk.com/rick-perry-dances-and-prays-with-rabbis/”>said another blogger.

“Jewish men lie”
After offending the gay community with unkind words, “Millionaire Matchmaker” took aim at Jews ” title=”http://www.jewishjournal.com/keepingitreal/item/bravo_fans_hit_twitter_to_silence_patti_stanger_millionaire_matchmaker_2011″>said Ilana Angel at the Jewish Journal. I was offended, too, for a second, ” title=”http://www.mediaite.com/tv/%E2%80%98millionaire-matchmaker%E2%80%99-patti-stanger-tries-and-fails-to-apologize-for-offensive-gay-comments/”>said Jon Bershad at Mediaite. “And when you’re given a chance to apologize, you smile and point out that you only meant some of that group. Because nothing describes the entirety of a group.”