The Great Debate

Support at Temple Emanu-El presidential forum split evenly.

HARRY KIRSBAUM
Staff Writer

we should consider faith-based
alternatives as options," he said.

I

n Temple Emanu-El's
Divided Audience
Oak Park sanctuary,
where Yom Kippur serv-
The question-and-answer segment
ices ended 24 hours earlier,
turned partisan as more than 30
about 275 Jews attended a
people stood in line to express
forum on the presidential can-
their views rather than ask ques-
didates.
tions.
In this room, Jews were_ as
Many wore campaign buttons
divided as the rest of the
and applauded their favored can-
country.
didate with vigor.
Two political representatives
After a quick show of hands,
from Washington, D.C.,
only two audience members
debated the issues.
showed they were still undecided.
Ira Forman, executive direc-
Campaign literature was offered
tor of the National Jewish
in the lobby on two tables, one
Democratic Council, traded
by Kerry supporters and one by
jabs with Jay Lefkowitz, for-
the pro-Bush group "Jews for
Staff photos by Angie Baan
mer deputy assistant to
George."
President George W. Bush on
Earlier that day, one former
domestic affairs and a member
vice-presidential nominee said
of the Republican Jewish
there's no difference between the
Coalition.
candidates when it comes to
They both agreed this is the
Israel, but a world of difference in
most important election in
their domestic policy.
our lifetimes. And that's where
"In the end, Jewish Americans
the agreement ended.
will know that when it comes to
Decision day is Nov. 2.
Israel, they've got two friends
According to Forman, Sen.
running for president," said Sen.
John F. Kerry will be better
Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., who
for U.S.-Israel relations than
appeared at a Democratic fund-
President Bush, but both will
raiser in Bingham Farms earlier in
be relatively pro--Israel.
the day.
Domestically, he said, there's
"When it comes to domestic
dramatic difference between
policy, more will feel that they are
candidates on all other issues.
not only comfortable but hopeful
Kerry has a 20-year record
about the path that John Kerry
of support for Israel in the
will take us on — on the econo-
Senate, and AIPAC (American
my, on fiscal management, on
Israel Public Affairs
health care, on civil rights and
Committee) says he has 100
civil liberties."
percent voting record for
Eric Adelman, governmental
Israel, Forman said.
relations director of the Jewish
Top: Facing off are Democrat Ira Forman, left, and Republican Jay Lefkowitz.
He stated that Bush's rela-
Community Council of
Above: Robert Olender of Huntington Woods and son Steven, 17, listen closely to the debate.
tionship with the Saudis
Metropolitan Detroit, said, his-
should be questioned as well
torically, Jews tend to vote 70
as his stances on school
percent Democratic.
terror, but a war against Islamic fun-
said.
prayer, the "Republican science"
"Some of the analysis I've read
damentalists.
On the domestic agenda, stem cell
called creationism that the adminis-
indicates that there are a few more
"There are people all over the
research has little to do with the Bush Jews going over to the Republican
tration wants taught in schools and
world
who
wake
up
every
morning
administration
because there's no
the ban on stem cell research.
side, but I don't see it as an even
set upon one mission, and that is to
limit on private-sector research,
"This is the most resolutely faith-
split, yet," he said.
kill more of us," he said.
Lefkowitz said.
based administration in our time,"
"Both sides are trying to tell the
When President Bush recognized
And in the case of religious issues,
Forman said. "Domestically, there's
Jewish community what their views
the threat of terrorism to the United
we should be neutral, he said.
only one choice, and that's for Kerry.
are on Israel. In November, we'll find
States,
he
began
to
take
action
while
"We should not be religious, but
Championing President Bush,
out who's been successful." ❑
Sen. Kerry flip-flopped, Lefkowitz
we should not be anti-religious, and
Lefkowitz said it was not a war on

10/ 1
2004

23