Recently my family contributed money to the campaign of Barack Obama for president of the United States. This is the first time that I have ever contributed to a political candidate-- just as it is the first time that I have placed a candidate's bumper sticker on my car-- in Hebrew of course!.
This is the first time that I have publicly supported a political candidate.
My support for Obama/Biden is based upon a thorough study of Obama's positions and my belief in their ability to carry out Obama's domestic and international agendas. I am thoroughly convinced that Barack will be a marvelous president, restoring civility to our national culture.
Obama/Biden's commitment to the security and well being of the State of Israel is absolute, as both have proven throughout their careers. For me, support for Israel is a non-negotiable point, and they meet this test with flying colors.
I am aware that many Jews have concerns about Obama's candidacy, especially within my own Orthodox community. Some of these concerns are rooted in deep-seated American ethnic strife, while others have been created by "swiftboating" and the worst kinds of Lashon ha-Ra. This slander is being manufactured to play on our worst fears and most devastating communal traumas. There is no truth in any of this fear mongering.
I urge each and every one of us to vote for Obama/Biden, and await besorot tovot, great tidings, on election day!
Steven Fine
Steven Fine is professor of Jewish History at Yeshiva University and director of the YU Center for Israel Studies
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
In countering those who would distort Obama/s positions and portray him as an alien, may I recommend a useful tool? The following article is in the Washington Post (Aug. 28) by David Scheim, "Barack, Thy name is Biblical." It explores the linguistic, historical, and archeological roots of Barack as a name (Baruch in "blessed" in Hebrew) and gives one the intellectual ammunition to position it well within Jewish tradition and also in the line of Presidents such as Abraham Lincoln or Zachary Taylor. The url is:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2008/08/barack_thy_name_is_biblical.html
or:
http://tinyurl.com/5q2zm5
Post a Comment