Nathan Guttman, staff writer, was the Forward’s Washington bureau chief. He joined the staff in 2006 after serving for five years as Washington correspondent for the Israeli dailies Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post. In Israel, he was the features editor for Ha’aretz and chief editor of Channel 1 TV evening news. He was born in Canada and grew up in Israel. He is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Is voting a mitzvah? That depends whom you ask. Jewish Values Online, the website that adheres to the Jewish tradition of asking the rabbi, presented the question to three rabbis from three denominations. They all agree that voting is a good idea and the right civic thing to do. But are we required as Jews…
Almost everyone seems ecstatic about the biggest arms sale in U.S. history, a recently announced $60 billion deal with Saudi Arabia. The celebrants include the Saudis, who will receive hundreds of high-end aircraft; American defense firms that will pocket huge profits from the agreement; unions whose members will have ample assembly lines to staff; and…
As predictions of a Republican tidal wave in the coming congressional elections became more certain, some Israelis were experiencing goose bumps of anticipation. Many on the right in Israel believe a shift of one or both houses of Congress to a Republican majority could limit the Obama administration?s ability to pressure Jerusalem ? even more…
It is hard year for all Democrats, nothing new about that. But if a Jewish incumbent can’t pull it off in South Florida, it could be a sign things are really bad. Three of four Florida Jewish lawmakers are up for re-election. The fourth, Ted Deutch, who represents the most Jewish county in the U.S.,…
As Israelis and Palestinians continue to reject compromise on the extension of a Jewish settlements freeze on the West Bank, all eyes are turning to Washington to see what happens next. With each side digging in on its demands regarding the settlements before they will agree to resume direct negotiations, diplomats and analysts are increasingly…
For the past 18 years, Wisconsin, where Jews constitute 0.5% of the population, has sent two Jews to fill its Senate seats. But as Election Day nears, one of those two is now fighting for his political life. Over the course of three terms, Democrat Russ Feingold has earned a reputation as one of the…
Searching for Jews in politics sometimes requires looking beyond New York and Florida. How many of us remember that Linda Lingle, a proud member of the tribe, is governor of Hawaii? (And if that is not exotic enough — she is also a Republican.) And how many have noticed that in Alaska, Jewish Democrat Ethan…
Joe Sestak, the Democratic Pennsylvania senatorial candidate, just can’t seem to shake off attacks from right-wing Jewish groups. First he was targeted by the Emergency Campaign for Israel in TV ads questioning his support for Israel, mainly because of his decision to join a letter calling for easing the Israeli siege on Gaza. Later he…
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