Now that I’m back home, I can contribute some political news chum:
- From the “Will This Help in Florida?” Department: A good friend of mine, Rabbi John Sherwood, sent me a press release of interest:
WASHINGTON Today, group of over three hundred American rabbis released a letter in support of Senator Barack Obama’s historic candidacy. Rabbis for Obama, through its website, www.RabbisforObama.com, aims to spread an awareness of Senator Obama’s message of change and repairing the world, which is steeped in the Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam and the values of the Hebrew prophets.
Rabbis for Obama is a grassroots effort founded by Rabbi Sam Gordon of Wilmette, IL, and Rabbi Steven Bob of Glen Ellyn, IL. Its members represent every corner of the American Jewish community, including rabbis from each of the major Jewish Movements in the United States (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist). Many are distinguished clergy and educators known for their publications and teachings.
Among the rabbis are prominent figures such as Rabbi Elliot Dorf (Los Angeles, CA), Rabbi Jack Moline (Alexandria, VA), Rabbi Burton Visotzky (New York, NY), Rabbi Janet Marder (Palo Alto, CA), and Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus (Homewood, IL). They join over three hundred others in making a clear statement of Senator Obama’s strong support from the Jewish community in America.
Rabbis for Obama marks the first time in American history that such a large group of rabbis has supported a candidate for political office. The support of rabbis nationwide is a testament to Barack Obama’s strong support in the Jewish Community, and demonstrates that he shares the values and principles so important to the American Jewish Community.
(Note: I originally had a second item relating to the fact that Levi Johnston, Gov. Palin’s future son-in-law, is dropping out of high school. It was noted in an article about hockey moms in Alaska. My including it with political news chum gave it far more political import than I meant; I simply found it interesting.)
