Sen. Carl Levin (D. Mich.) has challenged the American Jewish community to broaden its participation and activities to include economic and social issues as well as such “traditionally” Jewish concerns as Israel, anti-Semitism and church-state relations.
Levin asserted that involvement in broader political issues is necessary for Jewish self-interest due to their relatively limited numbers which require the “security” of participation in larger coalitions.
Levin delivered a keynote address Sunday to American Jewish Congress leaders attending the three-day National Domestic Policy Conference here at the Shoreham Hotel. The conference concluded yesterday.
According to Levin, coalition activity is especially important at a time when large pockets of poverty and unemployment continue to exist, despite some recent positive economic signs. He singled out in particular the loss of many family farms, some of which had been in the same family for generations.
Levin warned that during difficult economic times, “desperate people will look for scapegoats,” adding that such scapegoating can sometimes lead to anti-Semitism.
The Senator said that Jewish communal concerns for the less fortunate is rooted in Judaism which stresses “love of justice.” He added: “We (Jews) do care when tens of thousands of family farms are going under. It’s our tradition.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
