Joseph Lieberman's Vice Presidential nomination was neither the first nor last word on signal Jewish achievements in American politics. Jews have played an important role in American government since the early 1800s at least, and in view of the 2000 election, there is no political office outside the reach of Jewish American citizens.For the first time, Jews in American Politics brings together a complete picture of the past, present, and future of Jewish political participation. Years in the making, this monumental work includes thoughtful and original chapters by leading journalists, scholars, and practitioners. Topics range from Jewish leadership and identity; to Jews in Congress, on the Supreme Court, and in presidential administrations; and on to Jewish influence in the media, the lobbies, and in other arenas in which American government operates powerfully, if informally.In addition to the thematic chapters, Jews in American Politics includes over 400 biographical profiles of prominent Jews throughout American political history, and concludes with an invaluable roster of Jews in key governmental positions from Ambassadorships and Cabinet posts to federal judges, state governors, and mayors of major cities.Part reference and part reflection, Jews in American Politics offers deep insight into serious questions about the dilemmas that Jews in public service face, as well as humorous sidelights and authoritative reference materials never before collected in one source. The story of the rich tradition of Jewish participation in American political life provides at once the perfect gift for every Jewish home as well as an indispensable resource for any serious follower of American politics.
L. Sandy Maisel is the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor and chair of the Department of Government at Colby College.Ira N. Forman is executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council and the research director of the Solomon Project.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Prologue: The Lieberman Candidacy Part 3 Part I Themes, Trends, and American Political Institutions Chapter 4 Identity and Polity: Dilemmas of Jewish Leadership Chapter 5 At the Summit: Presidents, Presidential Appointments, and Jews Chapter 6 On the Hill: Jews in the U.S. Congress Chapter 7 On the Bench: The Jewish Justices Chapter 8 Movers, Shakers, and Leaders: Jewish Party Politicians Chapter 9 Who Does What? Jewish Advocacy and Jewish "Interest" Chapter 10 A Part and Apart: Jewish Americans, the Media, and American Politics Chapter 11 The Politics of Minority Consciousness: The Historical Voting Behavior of American Jews Chapter 12 Still Liberal After All These Years? The Contemporary Political Behavior of American Jewry Chapter 13 Right Turn? Jews and the American Conservative Movement Chapter 14 Famished for Justice: The Jew as Radical Chapter 15 Activists and Organizers: Jewish Women and American Politics Chapter 16 Israel and Beyond: American Jews and U.S. Foreign Policy Chapter 17 Hosts not Visitors: The Future of Jews in American Politics Part 18 Part II Biographical Profiles Part 19 Part III Rosters of Jewish Leadership and Voting
This book is a first of its kind—an all-in-one encyclopedia that both chronicles the Jewish political experience from Oscar Straus to Joe Lieberman and critically analyzes what it all means. Well-written, insightful, and full of useful information, Jews in American Politics is a must-read for the scholar, the student, and the average citizen alike.
Barney Frank
It's a sign of the increased maturity of American society that Jewish candidates for elected office are now able to run without anti-Semitism posing a serious obstacle in most parts of the United States. And it is a sign of the maturity of American Jews that we are willing to discuss this openly without fear of provoking an anti-Semitic reaction. This book is an excellent example of that discussion—thoughtful, informed, and informative.
Barbara Boxer
Reading Jews in American Politics is like finding a missing puzzle piece. Never before has there been such a detailed account of the Jewish political experience. Using thought provoking essays and compelling statistics, this work tells us where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. It is a must-read for anyone interested in politics and any person with a love of history and heritage.
