This commentary was first published by the Jewish Advocate.

EthnicNewz.org later republished it on Jan. 28, 2008.

In the race for the American presidency, securing support from Jewish leaders has become a valuable tool in swaying Jewish voters. But as Barack Obama campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination, some Jews have been increasingly skeptical about the Illinois senator's commitment to Jewish issues, and Israel in particular.

"Given his heritage, background and upbringing, there is no question that he'd be more open than the other candidates to arguments from different perspectives and viewpoints and not hold the standard party line regarding Israel and the Jewish community," said the Rebbe, Grand Rabbi Y. A. Korff [publisher of the Jewish Advocate].

While Obama is Christian, both his father - a native of Kenya - and his stepfather were Muslim. And an e-mail circulating throughout Israel and the U.S. seems to be preying on Jewish fears, accusing the Illinois senator of ties to Islamic extremism.

The e-mail was met with a quick response from leaders of nine Jewish organizations, including the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Congress.

"[The e-mail is an] attempt to drive a wedge between our community and a presidential candidate based on despicable and false attacks and innuendo based on religion," the leaders said in an open letter. "Jewish voters, like all voters, should support whichever candidate they believe would make the best president."

According to the American Jewish Committee's 2007 Annual Survey, 38 percent of U.S. Jews have a favorable opinion of Obama, which places him behind only Hillary Clinton and Rudy Guliani in Jewish esteem.

Obama is, however, the favorite among Arab Americans. In a poll released last May by the Arab American Institute, 39 percent of Arab Americans supported Obama, compared to Clinton's 36 percent.

But despite broad support from some Jewish Americans, many still question whether Obama is a good choice for the Jewish community and for Israel.

"There is plenty of legitimate concern with Senator Obama's record," said Suzanne Kurtz, spokesperson for the Washington, D.C.-based Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC). "Any of the Republican candidates would be better suited to stand behind issues of critical concern to the Jewish community, including Israel's security."

Obama has, however, stood behind Israel's right to defend itself. During the Second Lebanon War, Obama supported Israel's retaliation against Hezbollah and said the Jewish state should resist any pressure to establish a cease-fire until the threat was eliminated. He also pressed the European Union to recognize Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

In a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in March 2007, Obama offered his take on the U.S. role in achieving peace in Israel.

"Our job is to renew the U.S.'s efforts to help Israel achieve peace with its neighbors while remaining vigilant against those who do not share this vision," said Obama. "That effort begins with a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel."

But the senator's record at home - especially regarding issues of concern to the Jewish community - is less clear. Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ, which has come under fire for its partnership with the controversial Palestinian Christian group, Sabeel.

And a magazine published by Obama's church in Chicago honored Black Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan, who has been criticized for strong anti-Semitic rhetoric. Obama has condemned Farrakhan's anti-Semitic sentiments and disagreed with the church's decision to honor him, though he maintains strong ties to the UCC.

But the Jewish community's concerns do not seem to be tied to outlandish Internet attacks or even Obama's relationship with the UCC. It is the senator's relatively unknown status that raises doubts in the minds of Jewish voters, according to Steve Grossman, former chair of the Democratic National Committee and of AIPAC, and a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton.

"Barack Obama has not been in the Senate long, nor does the Jewish community beyond Illinois know him that well," said Grossman. "But there are certainly people within the Jewish community who do know him well and think highly of him on a variety of issues, including issues of interest to the Jewish community."

One of those people is Laurence Tribe, professor of law at Harvard Law School. Tribe has known Obama since his days as a student at Harvard and is scheduled to appear in an Obama campaign ad praising the young senator's commitment to helping those in need.

"It was inspiring, absolutely inspiring to see someone as brilliant as Barack Obama, as successful, someone who could have written his ticket on Wall Street, take all of the talent and all of the learning and decide to devote it to the community and to make people's lives better," Tribe says in the ad, according to the New York Times.

Still, Obama's supporters and critics agreed that Jews have an obligation to sort out the facts from the mounting slew of falsehoods peddled on the Internet.

Added the RJC's Kurtz: "We would urge the Jewish community to carefully examine the legitimate record of Senator Obama."

Source: TheJewishAdvocate.com [1]

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