Rabbis Hear From Clinton Surrogate

With the Pennsylvania primary just a few weeks away, the importance of the Jewish vote was reinforced April 1, as surrogates for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) reached out to influential community leaders -- that is, local rabbis -- who may be in a position to know what issues are uppermost in the minds of their congregants during this pivotal election year.

Ann Lewis, a senior policy adviser for Clinton, told about two dozen rabbis present for a lunch at Max & David's, a kosher restaurant in Elkins Park, that the senator is a leader who understands and supports "every issue that is of concern to the Jewish community," both on the national and international fronts.

She added that Clinton acknowledges that Israel is both an ally and a resource for the United States and, with her "consistent record of leadership," is committed in her support to "Israel's continued well-being."

Ann Lewis

The event, hosted by the Vaad: Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, was touted as the kick-off of the Clinton campaign's outreach efforts aimed to inform and educate the Pennsylvania Jewish community of her positions on issues of interest, such as Israel and the Middle East.

Lewis was joined by Rabbi Menachem Genack, rabbinic administrator of the Orthodox Union's kosher division and a longtime friend of the Clintons, who added that the candidate's "commitment to Israel is long-standing."

Genack explained that he's not representing the O.U. when he makes visits on behalf of the Clinton campaign. In fact, he strongly emphasized that no rabbi should endorse a particular candidate or party when he or she speaks from the bimah.

Pinpointing the Issues
So what are the issues on the minds of rabbis in this "enormously consequential election," as Genack described it?

Those present questioned Lewis and Genack on Clinton's position on health care, the economy, Israel, Iran and the war in Iraq, first and foremost.

Lawrence Sernovitz, assistant rabbi at Old York Road Temple-Beth Am in Abington, said that he and senior Rabbi Robert Leib were in attendance to gather information about Clinton's views on several areas that "affect our congregants," such as education, poverty, the economy and the State of Israel.

He added that "rabbis have a need to be informed."

The Clinton camp handed out campaign literature showcasing its candidate's "long history of strong and steadfast leadership for the U.S.-Israel relationship."

It outlined seven key areas Clinton supports that are of interest to Jewish Americans, including the importance of the relationship between the two nations, standing with Israel against terrorism, stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions and rejecting Hamas.

Josh Kram, Clinton's director of Jewish outreach, noted that, as the Pennsylvania primary on April 22 falls on the third day of Passover, absentee ballots are available for anyone who may be away for the holiday.

Later that same Tuesday, Lewis was joined by U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-District 13) and other prominent local Jews at a gathering of about 100 community leaders at the Marvin Comisky Conference Center in Center City.

Mark Aronchick, co-chair of Clinton's campaign in Pennsylvania, said that the broad array of rabbis at the lunch from the Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative and Orthodox communities was a testament to the level of respect they have for her -- whether they support Clinton or not, since no matter the outcome of the primaries, "she's a leader on the world stage."

Rabbi David Gutterman, executive director of the Vaad, said that he helped facilitate the event as a way for local rabbinic leaders to gather information about where the candidates stand in anticipation of this crucial primary.

He added that an informational meeting with a surrogate from Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) campaign was set for April 9.