Chicago’s Next Mayor
Chicago has elected former White House chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel as its next mayor. When Emanuel takes office, he will be the first Jew to lead the city.
You’re asking, maybe, “so what’s new?”
Chicago’s mayor is a Jew,
The very first to reach that post,
A feat of which the tribe may boast.
We speak of Rahm Emanuel,
A rising star! We wish him well!
He was a guy who took no gaff
As prez Obama’s chief-of-staff.
He’s well known for his salty tongue
When he’s with fellow-pols among.
(His sodium — a paradox! —
Might stem from love of salty lox.)
In Jewish circles, people kvell
About this staunch Emanuel.
In Hebrew, that name is a plus,
It translates into “God’s with us.”
The Windy City, wild and rough,
Responds to leaders who are tough.
The nickname “Rahmbo” suits him well,
We here proclaim, in doggerel.
Let congregants, with joyous psalm,
Salute their standard-bearer, Rahm.
He might some day (who can foretell?)
Pursue a post in Israel.
“Mayor of Tel Aviv,” let’s say,
Would look good on his resumé.
He’d govern there Chicago-style,
Supported by the rank-and-file.
Perhaps instead he would opt for
The status of ambassador.
Then U.S.A. he’d represent
Sent there by our own president.
A novelty he’d be, at that,
A blunt, blue-language diplomat!
Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
, editor-in-chiefSupport our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
