Ann Lewis
Image by Laurence Agron
Entering her third Clinton political campaign, Ann Lewis naturally slipped into the position of Hillary Clinton’s point person to the Jewish community, even without an official title.
A former adviser to President Clinton, Lewis worked closely on Hillary Clinton’s 2008 unsuccessful presidential campaign and is now back again, leading the candidate’s Jewish outreach efforts.
Lewis, 78, has spent most of her life in Democratic politics, just like her brother, the liberal former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank. In recent years Lewis has had to apply herself to keep left-wing Democrats close to Israel, working with AIPAC to make sure liberals don’t lose faith in the Jewish state. In talks, she touts Israel’s record as a haven for progressives — far from the image of it held by many on the left.
Much of Lewis’s career was devoted to promoting the role of women in politics and in the public arena. Now she is poised to play a part in a campaign that could break the last glass ceiling in American politics.
To Jewish leaders and donors, Lewis speaks of her candidate’s strong track record on Israel, carefully distancing Clinton from President Obama. Decades of close contacts between Clinton and the Jewish community make Lewis’s job easier, but she still faces a formidable task in trying to counter the growing involvement of Jewish mega-donors on the Republican side.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
