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BBYO ALUMNI HOMECOMING '98
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that calculus, but there are no indica-
tions it is likely to happen.
So where does this leave the Jews?
Some pillars of Jewish strength are
unchanged, but there are alarming
signs of a weakening at the polls.
Jews remain disproportionately
involved in financing political cam-
paigns; no other group has exploited
the controversial campaign finance
system as effectively.
"Elections today are decided by
money, and Jewish contributions —
are
especially to the Democrats
substantial," said American
University political scientist Amos
Perlmutter. "That means Jewish
influence will remain strong, particu-
larly on the Democratic side."
The Jewish community is also
unusually effective in lobbying, and
in working with state and local offi-
cials who may someday run for
Congress, a long-term strategy that is
already paying big dividends.
Other groups are playing catch up,
but they have a long way to go.
Although the community is
increasingly divided over the Mideast
peace process, Israel continues to
offer a focus for activism that multi-
plies Jewish power. Economic class
and country of origin divide the
emerging Hispanic bloc, by way of
contrast. The numbers and involve-
ment of Hispanics may be growing,
but translating that into effective
political action will be difficult with-
out an overarching issue.
And Jews continue to be dispro-
portionately involved in politics as
campaign consultants and workers, as
parry officials and as congressional
and administration staffers.
But as intermarriage and assimila-
tion continue to deplete the Jewish
demographic presence, Jewish politi-
cal power at the voting booth may
stand on an increasingly narrow base.
Most Jewish analysts say turnout,
traditionally higher than among non-
Jewish voters, is declining, although
statistics are scarce. If that is true, the
rise of other ethnic groups — the big
will erode Jewish
story in 1998
power.
Apathy and indifference, the poi-
sons of democratic political life, may
be particularly toxic for Jews. Finding
antidotes — including new ways to
get Jews to the polls and new ways to
educate them about the Jewish
in ► ortance of political issues — is
the major challenge facing the com-
munity's political leaders in this new
era of energized ethnic politics. 7
THE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1998
8:00 p.m. - I 1 :00 p.m.
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Detroit Jewish News