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observer, explaining her preference for
Bloomberg, said he simply seemed like
more of a mentsh than Green.
Until Sept. 11 — the original pri-
mary date — the campaign had mean-
dered along without an overarching
issue. The terror attack changed all that.
Everything else — schools, crime,
public
transportation — became sec-
each other can become the mayor of the
RACHEL POMERANCE
ondary
to public security and econom-
greatest city in the world — maybe out-
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
ic
recovery.
While race played a role in
side of Jerusalem," Rabbi Solomon joked.
the
Democratic
primary — Green's
With both candidates part of the
New York
critics
accused
him
of stirring fears
(family),
Jewish
voters
said
mishpacha
hen Abraham Beame was
that
a
"black-brown"
coalition would
they
didn't
find
a
uniquely
Jewish
per-
elected the first Jewish
lead
to
an
increase
in
crime — that
spective
to
the
elections;
mayor of New York in
was
not
the
case
on
Tuesday.
"My gut reaction is that I see myself
1973, the American
While neither candidate stressed for-
first as a New Yorker," Michelman said.
Examiner Jewish Week proclaimed,
eign
policy issues, some New Yorkers
"I'm worried about the economy, and
"Gracie Mansion to get mezuzah now
suggested
the city can not entirely
other urban issues like homelessness
that city has new mayor."
avoid
foreign
affairs after Sept. 11.
and education and teacher's salaries."
Michael Bloomberg eked out a nar-
Prior
to
the
terror
attacks, Giuliani
Marc
Landis
and
Beth
Berns,
row victory over Mark Green in
only
occasionally
forayed
into the
Democratic
leaders
on
the
Upper
West
Tuesdays mayoral election, but both
Middle
East
conflict,
consistently
corn-
Side,
said
the
biggest
issue
for
voters
candidates would have assured that
ing
down
on
the
side
of
Israel
—
such
as
was rebuilding downtown, followed by
Gracie Mansion would once again
the
time
he
refused
to
allow
Palestinian
public safety and education.
have a mezuzah on its doorpost.
Authority leader Yasser Arafat to
Thirty years ago, Beame's ethnicity
participate in a city-sponsored
was considered so exceptional that
concert in 1996.
the Jewish community of New York
More recently, of course,
saw the win as an ethnic triumph.
Giuliani
rejected a $10 million
Katz's Deli, a local landmark, put a
relief
check
from a Saudi
sign over its counter urging patrons
9,
prince
who
tried
to connect
to "Send a Salami to Your Boy in
1 ". the Sept. 11 terror attacks to
City Hall," a play on its wartime slo-
U.S. support for Israel.
gan, "Send a Salami to Your Boy in
It's unclear to some whether a
the Army."
Jewish
mayor — open to
This4ear, in contrast, there's been
charges
of bias on the Middle
little mention of religion in the
East
—
will
be more reluctant
media and among voters — and
to
speak
out
on the Israeli-
only muted recognition of the sub-
Palestinian
conflict
or the U.S.-
ject by the candidates themselves.
New York City mayoral candidates Republican
led campaign in Afghanistan.
In fact, the Jewish issue seemed
Michael Bloomberg and Democrat Mark Green talk
Television producer Wolfe,
to be a non-issue as the city chose
before their second debate on Nov. 1 in New York.
though, su ested a Jewish
its 108th mayor.
mayor would "have a little more
Like the rest of New York, the
leeway"
on
Israel, as voters probably take
"The
'Jewish'
issues
are
the
civic
Jewish community had a hard time
his
support
for
the Jewish state as a given.
deciding between two Upper East Side issues," Landis said.
"If
people
look
at it as a conflict of
The candidates themselves hardly
candidates who were both liberal,
interest,
then
he
should
stand up
made reference to their Jewishness.
Jewish and schooled at Harvard.
against
it,"
Wolfe
said.
"If
a Jewish
Green's Web site skimmed the sur-
Rebecca Michelman, a television
mayor
is
voted
in,
he's
also
being
face of his Jewish identity, noting only
producer, said it was only on her way
voted
in
for
who
he
is."
that
"Mark,
while
proud
of
his
Jewish
to the polling station Tuesday that it
One non-Jewish voter, though, said
heritage, has visited over 100 churches
really hit her that two Jews were going
that
while he expects the next mayor
throughout the city." Bloomberg's
head to head for the mayoralty
will
take an enhanced role in foreign
"If one had not been Jewish, and if I Web site made no mention of his
affairs,
he must remember that he rep-
Jewish heritage and lists no Jewish
knew he had issues with Israel in the
resents
all
New Yorkers.
charities among his affiliations, which
past," Michelman said, "that would
"The
stakes
are now so much high-
include Lincoln Center and the
have affected my decision."
er,"
said
Alex
Manette,
a 32-year-old
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A choice between two Jewish candi-
actor who voted for Bloomberg
Still,
both
candidates
are
in
touch
dates shows how established Jews have
because of his business prowess.
with the city's Jewish life in various
become in New York, said Eric
"It's important for the mayor to have
ways, Landis said. Green has been active
Solomon, rabbi of Congregation
a
voice,
but his personal biases need to
Tehillah in the Riverdale section of the in issues affecting the Jewish communi-
be
put
aside.
Whoever gets into office
ty and Israel, he said, and when Green
Bronx and assistant rabbi of
will
have
to
find
that fine line of what
was consumer affairs commissioner, he
Congregation B'nai Jeshurun on
to
say
and
what
not
to say." ❑
administered a survey to protect against
Manhattan's Upper West Side.
— JTA staff writer Michael J. Jordan
price
gouging
on
Passover
products.
"It's raised my level of gratitude that
contributed to this report.
On the other hand, one Jewish
two Jewish candidates who disagree with

Either way, a Jew was going to move
into New York's Gracie Mansion.

IV

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Vizitor

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11/9
2001

20

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