MORAL AUTHORITY from page 7
abortion and hate crimes, Lieberman
A strong supporter of Israel and for-
supports much of what those organiza-
eign aid to the Jewish state, Lieberman
tions stand for: some increased gun
did not want to put pressure on the
control, the right of a woman to choose
administration to advance an American
and national hate crimes legislation.
peace plan while Israeli-Palestinian
One issue that may define him as a
negotiations were going on last year.
candidate — and at the same time
divides the American Jewish community
Bedrock Of Belief
— is school vouchers, government
Described by acquaintances as open,
money that could be used for private
thoughtful and low-key, Lieberman
schools.
admits he sometimes confers
Lieberman co-sponsored
with rabbis on particularly
legislation in 1995 that
complex issues, like abortion.
would have provided
"When I was in the
vouchers to low-income
state
Senate, I would ago-
parents so they could
nize
and
agonize over this,"
choose to send their chil-
he
told
Reuters
news ser-
dren to attend public, pri-
vice in 1997.
vate or parochial schools.
'And I did occasionally
Most Jewish organiza-
How did you feel,
consult rabbinical sources
tions oppose school vouch-
as a Jew, about
over the generations.
ers, fearing even indirect
Joseph
Liebermans
Ultimately I decided that,
government funding of
nomination
to
after
all my struggling with
parochial schools would Still
be
the
Democratic
this
question,
we really had
violate the constitutional
to
respect
the
right of
vice
presidential
separation between church
women
to
choose."
candidate?
and state. But Orthodox
Not all Americans will
groups side with Lieberman.
Give your opinion on
agree,
of course, but some
Another issue that may
JN Online at
observers relish the thought
demonstrate Lieberman's
www.detroit
of Lieberman injecting his
jewishnews.com
pragmatic approach is his
Jewish
values into public
stance on prayer in public
debate.
schools.
"It's one of the great
While he generally opposes such
accomplishments of Joe Lieberman's
prayer, in 1992 Lieberman spoke out
career," said Irwin Kula, president of
against a Supreme Court decision that
CLAL, the New York-based National
struck down prayer in school gradua-
Jewish Center for Learning and
tion ceremonies.
Leadership. "He never uses theology or
"Students who are graduating will
God, but he's found a way to bring those
lose much more than they will gain
values
into American discourse and poli-
from the prohibition of prayer at their
cy
in
a
language all of us can understand.
graduation," he said.
"That's
the American dream: not only
The Supreme Court this year said
that anyone can make it here economi-
student-led prayers at high school
cally, but that all these different cultures
football games are not constitutional.
and views can come into the public
The court is expected to address the
square in real conversation about where
issue of student-led prayers at gradua-
we all want to go."
tions in the coming term.
Lieberman also takes a centrist
Related editorial: page 35
approach to foreign policy.
Related commentary: page 37
appreciate all that God has given us. I
also find strength and humility in
being linked to something so much
larger and longer-lasting than myself.
To me, being Jewish also means
the joy of being part of a unique
ethnic culture and reveling in its
history and humor, its language and
literature, its music and moods, its
festivals and foods.
Being Jewish in America also
means feeling a special love for this
country, which has provided such
unprecedented freedom and oppor-
tunity to the millions who have
come and lived here. My parents
raised me to believe that I did not
have to mute my religious faith or
ethnic identity to be a good
American; that, on the contrary,
America invites all its people to be
what they are and believe what they
wish. In truth, it is from our indi-
vidual diversity and shared faith in
God that we Americans draw our
greatest strength and hope. El
"Gore is bad enough
without Lieberman.
He's too conservative.
He made a name for
himself attacking
Clinton for his private
nonsense.
"And I suspect there's enough
antisemitism left in the United
States for it not to make a difference.-
"Less than 50 percent of
Americans vote now, and I don't
think it's voter apathy. It's educat-
ed cynicism."
— Martin Glieberman, Detroit
"Gore grew up in a
politically adept family
and he became politi-
cally adept himself
That's all this is
"The only thing
that would stop me from voting
for [Green Party candidate
Ralph] Nader is the Supreme
Court justices. Also, if Bush
wins, that could threaten Roe
vs. Wade."
— Seymour Faber, West Bloomfield
"When something
good happens to a
Jewish person, we all
look up to it. Now we
are hoping the rest of
the world will see Jews
are not such bad people.
"I am afraid maybe this will
make Gore lose the presidency.
But it was very, very nice of
them [the Democrats] to show
to the world they think about
all the people."
— Maria Hertz, co-owner,
Unique Kosher Carry Out, Oak Park
"He's great. I live in
Washington, D.C. He
belongs to Kesher
Israel in Georgetown
— he's honest, sin-
cere, giving and a
good politician.
"He's the good person he is not
because he's Orthodox and Jewish...
but the fact that I'm Orthodox and
Jewish makes him even more
attractive as a candidate."
— Barbara Wieder
Silver Spring, Md.
Compiled by
Diana Lieberman, sta writer
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2000
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