What’s Jewish About The 10 Democratic Debaters: A Visual Guide

The Democratic debate held June 27, 2019. Image by Getty/SAUL LOEB/Contributor

By PJ Grisar November 19, 2019

From the earliest stirrings of our republic, American presidents have been connected to the Jewish people. General Washington relied on financier Haym Salomon for ready cash for the Continental Army, and as our population climbed, Jews have served as Supreme Court justices, cabinet secretaries, speechwriters, senators and security experts called on to testify in impeachment hearings. We’ve filled nearly every role in government — except the big one.

Anyone who wants a shot at the presidency today can’t overlook the Jewish vote (particularly because of Florida’s swing status.) But some candidates are, naturally, better situated than others in this department.

You surely know Bernie Sanders’s Jewish bona fides — provided you’ve ever heard him speak. You may know that late entrant Tom Steyer had a Jewish dad who played an important part in bringing the Nazis to justice. But what about the other Democratic contenders in this crowded race to unseat a divisive Republican president?

Here is your guide to the Jewish connections of the 10 candidates set to debate on November 20. Come for the Bernie Sanders rabbinical acting credit, stay for Amy Klobuchar’s discussion of pro wrestling with Ariel Sharon.

PJ Grisar is the Forward’s culture fellow. He can be reached at [email protected].

PJ Grisar is a Forward culture reporter. He can be reached at [email protected] and @pjgrisar on Twitter.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO