Area Jewish Dems Praise Obama's Support Of Israel & Jewish Values
Photo: Richard Chaitt / Jewish Exponent. |
Last night the Jewish community came out in force to Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park for a serious discussion of politics sponsored by Jewish Americans for Obama.
As expected Pennsylvania State Representative (17th district) and former standup comic Daylin Leach had everyone's attention with his unique blend of political analysis and satire. However, Daylin's comedy was overshadowed by the spectacle afforded by a small group of tea party enthusiasts who were in attendance. These right-wing extremists stood up and interrupted speaker after speaker.
Representative Joe Wilson only interrupted President Obama's 2009 State of the Union address with "You lie" only once, but these protesters were comfortable shouting "It is a lie" over a dozen times during the night.
Their random outbursts seemed like a crude caricature of a rabid Tea Party member. The continual refrain of "It is a lie" punctuated the most anodyne statement of fact.
Here is one example: Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro praised Obama's record of vetoing every anti-Israel United Nations Security Council Resolution since he took office. And the protester was rose and cried out, "It is a lie." Really?!
Tell us what UNSC resolution escaped the attention of this administration? Perhaps he was thinking about UNSC #1405 which required Israel to submit to UN inspections of the Jenin refugee camp as a result of libelous accusation against Israel during Operation Defensive Shield. Actually, this happened under President George W. Bush's watch in April 2002. That was the last time the US failed to wield its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to protect Israel.
Pennsylvania State Treasurer Rod McCord quoted Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Mike Turzai who proudly took credit for our state's new Voter ID law saying "Pro-Second Amendment? The Castle Doctrine, it's done.
First pro-life legislation — abortion facility regulations — in 22 years, done.
Voter ID, which is going to allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done." To which our friendly protester provided comic relief by bellowing out "It is a lie" at the top of his lungs.
At the Keneseth Israel event, Rabbi Lance Sussman(second from right) addresses the crowd. Also at the podium are (from left) State Sen. Daylin Leach, Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro and county Democratic head Marcel Groen.
Photo: Richard Chaitt / Jewish Exponent |
Spiritual leader Rabbi Lance J. Sussman welcomed the standing-room-only crowd of 1,200 members of community packing the sanctuary. He welcomed the community's commitment to the political process and indicated that Keneseth Israel desired to hold a similar event on behalf of Governor Romney.
Montgomery County Democratic Chairman Marcel Groen served as master of ceremonies, he and all the members of the political panel started their remarks with their Jewish bona fides, detailing their history of commitment to Israel and the Jewish community (even if some of the panelists didn't have very Jewish names).
Daylin Leach and Josh Shapiro echoed the sentiment that a candidates' understanding of the unique relationship between Israel and United States was condition sine qua non to get their support. Neither had any doubt that Obama's feels a love for the State of Israel "in his kishkes."
Daylin Leach said he was just 20 feet away from Barack Obama at this year's AIPAC Policy Conference when the President declared that "I do not have a policy of containment; I have a policy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."
Rep. Leach also praised Obama for fighting anti-Semitism here and around the world.
Rep. Leach spoke about the importance of the separation of church and state. He warned that it was not so long ago that we had mandatory school prayer, and that if school prayer were to return, it would probably not be the shema. He emphasize the closely divided nature of Supreme Court on this issue. The next President will likely nominate one or more justices who will shape our understanding of law for decades to come. Romney used to hold Chief Justice John Roberts as an example of the type of judge he would nominate for the Supreme Court. Now that Roberts ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act, Romney has now chosen Associate Justice Antonin Scalia as his model for a Supreme Court nominee. To understand who Obama is likely to nominate, we can look at the two judges he has nominated so far: Associate Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor.
United States Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) was on hand. Rep. Schwartz is the only woman and the only Jew in Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation. Her Congressional District covers much of Eastern Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia. Thanks to the latest redistricting Congregation Keneseth Israel is now part of her district, and she welcomed her new constituents.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz fields questions at K.I.
Photo: Richard Chaitt / Jewish Exponent. |
The highlight of the evening was Democratic National Committee Chairwoman, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20). She addressed the many hoaxes being circulated attacking Obama's stand on Israel. She recommended that everyone keep a copy of the campaign's Myths vs. Facts document and their six-page fact sheet detailing the ironclad relation with Israel that the Obama campaign has nurtured.
 The crowd also heard from Obama's Pennsylvania Jewish Outreach Coordinator Alan Fuchs, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Rodeph Shalom, as well as Obama for America Montgomery County Field Director Dan Siegal. The campaign opened their county headquarters at 115 Yorktown Plaza in Elkins Park, PA. The headquarters was conveniently located at the intersection of RT 611 and Church Rd just across the street from Keneseth Israel.
|
