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 Grisar@Forward.com.
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.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
