`Get Out Jewish Vote'
Forces Mobilize
ewish leaders are reacting
with quiet alarm to indica-
tions that Jewish voter
turnout has been declining
in recent years — a major threat
to Jewish and pro-Israel power,
they believe.
That concern we's strong
enough to convince all four
streams of Judaism to get to-
gether — despite some sniping
— to give communal leaders new
tools to promote get-out-the-vote
efforts.
The project, coordinated by the
Religious Action Center of Re-
form Judaism, will reach as
many as 1 million Jews who have
not registered to svote, according
to some estimates.
A comprehensive "Get out the
j
Vote Program Plan and Action
Manual" provides detailed infor-
mation on how synagogues and
community organizations can in-
crease turnout.
"This represents an update to
voter registration guides that the
RAC has put out in the past,"
said Mark Pelavin, associate di-
rector of the Washington outpost
of the Union of American Hebrew
Congregations. 'There is a grow-
ing sense of urgency about the
problem, and a growing aware-
ness that we have to use the syn-
agogue networks of all four
denominations — Orthodox,
Conservative, Reform and Re-
constructionist — to reach those
Jews who, for various reasons,
have opted out." ❑
Poison Pandering
Politicians' words of ritualized reassurance
and genuine commitment to Israel are
two different things.
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ournalists in Washington, ten before Mr. Dole's speech, but
a cynical lot, often resort to checked against delivery.)
He believes in "peace through
a handy, time-saving trick.
Before a big speech at a po- strength," he told the group, and
litical function, they'll sometimes he doesn't much care for any
write big portions of their stories American pressure to return the
in advance — the parts with the Golan Heights to Syria.
President Clinton says similar
stock phrases and mandatory im-
ages that pass for substance in things, although he's been quiet
of late about moving the em-
today's politics.
In front of Jewish crowds, you bassy, since he chose to let Mr.
can bet the farm that eager-to- Dole's legislation become law
please pols will mention the im- without his signature despite his
portance of Jerusalem, and the own pandering on the subject in
magic words "Israel's qualitative 1992.
But in compensation, Mr. Clin-
military edge." And, of course,
it is de rigueur to blast terrorists ton adds a lot of emotional stuff
sponsored by Iran, Iraq, Libya about his friendship with the late
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak
and Syria.
In the parlance of Jewish lead- Rabin and his role in orchestrat-
ers, these politicians are saying ing Rabin's landmark handshake
"the Right Things," for which with Yassir Arafat in 1993, al-
they expect to be rewarded lav- though, truth to tell, the Israeli-
ishly with campaign contribu- PLO breakthrough came about
with little U.S. assistance.
tions and votes.
But never mind: Mr. Clinton,
So when Republican nominee
Bob Dole appeared before B'nai too, knows how to say the Right
B'rith's biennial convention on Things, an important element in
Sunday, he said all the Right his proven ability to win Jewish
votes.
Things.
Jewish leaders reward politi-
He referred, not surprisingly,
to his successful sponsorship of cians for speaking these words of
a bill intended to force the State ritualized reassurance with
Department to move its embassy praise and money for their cam-
from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; he paign coffers.
But is the Jewish community
talked about supporting the
quest for peace in the Middle mistaking gross pandering for
East and he ragged on terrorists genuine commitment? Increas-
and the nations that support ingly, the answer seems to be yes,
for a variety of reasons.
them.
(Truth in journalism disclo-
sure: the above lines were writ- POISON page 52
til
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