IN"
decided to convert to Judaism before
the marriage.
"I was influenced by. Kathy," says
Cam. "Judaism is deeply held and
meaningful to her. Early on, we
established we would raise any chil-
dren we had as Jewish. So it flowed
from that. To be a full participant in
their religious education, I would
convert."
Cam says what appealed to him
about Judaism was the role of study
in the religion, that it valued learn-
ing and intellectual pursuits, which
were comfortable and a part of his
upbringing.
He adds that standing on the
bimah for each of his daughters' bat
mitzvahs as a full participant made
his religious commitments well
Kathy Weinman, the candidate's sister-
worth
it.
in-law, says she has a ringside seat to
"Judaism is central to us," says
history.
Kathy, who is active in her suburban
Boston synagogue, Temple Israel in
daughters campaigned for their
Brookline. "Judaism is a core of my
uncle, knocking on doors, making
life and important to our family."
calls and holding up signs. Their
When asked how the Catholic and
elder daughter worked in Iowa and
Jewish sides of the family relate,
volunteered for the Kerry campaign
Kathy replies, "It's a terrific relation-
last summer.
ship."
Cam, 53, has taken time off from
She says that candidate Kerry was
his law firm, Mintz Levin in Boston,
supportive
when his brother convert-
and from his position as an adjunct
ed
to
Judaism.
He and his family
telecommunications law professor at
have
attended
both
nieces' baby
Suffolk Law School there, to work
namings and bat mitzvahs. Kathy
on his brother's presidential cam-
says she is very close to John Kerry's
paign.
two daughters.
Last week, prior to the Michigan
And the Weinman and Kerry fami-
caucus on Feb. 7, he was in town
lies
have become mishpachah (fami-
stumping for his brother. He stayed
ly),
says Anne Weinman. Cam's late
with his in-laws in Farmington Hills,
"blueblood"
mother, Rosemary,
where, Anne says, she keeps a kosher
whose heritage goes back to colonial
kitchen, and Cam, who is knowl-
times with family names like
edgeable about Jewish dietary laws,
Winthrop
and Forbes, and his late
is one of the few people she trusts in
father,
Richard,
were wonderful peo-
it.
ple proud of all four of their chil-
dren: Peggy, John, Diana and Cam.
She adds that the Kerry family —
Role Of Judaism
including Cam's parents as well as
Cam's wife, Kathy, 49, attended Oak
John — were present when Cam and
Park High School and went to
Kathy's daughters were named at the
Hebrew school at Congregation
temple.
B'nai David. Her mother is a former
"Religion has never been an issue
English teacher at Berkley High and
between
Cam and his [side of the]
her father was part owner of Murray
family,"
Kathy
says. "John's always
Lighting in Detroit. The Weinmans
loved participating in our happy
now belong to Congregation Beth
occasions. He's always been there
Ahm in West Bloomfield.
and part of our family."
After graduating from the
The Weinmans say they are very
University of Michigan law school in
active
in the Kerry campaign. They
Kathy
magna cum laude
1979
support
the candidate because of his
got her first job at a law firm in
stand on the environment and edu-
Washington, D.C. At the same firm
cation, Anne says.
she met Cam, also a magna cum
"I have a greater appreciation for
laude graduate (of Boston College
the
early caucus and primaries and
Law School). The two were married
in 1983.
BROTHER on page 18
Though brought up Catholic, he
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