National News

Election Stirring Passions Among Jewish Women

09/11/2012 | Doug Chandler | Jewish Week Correspondent

Just as she did four years ago at about this time, Blu Greenberg has found herself in animated debate with friends who are planning to vote for Barack Obama, as well as those supporting Obama’s Republican opponent.

“I find myself arguing on both sides,” said Greenberg, a prominent Orthodox feminist, who notes that most of her liberal, feminist friends favor the president’s re-election, while most of her Orthodox friends favor Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee.

Anger Over Jerusalem Omission In Platform

09/05/2012 | Stewart Ain | Staff Writer

Charlotte, N.C. — The Democratic Party’s decision to omit from its platform all reference to Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital came as a shock to delegates who unwittingly adopted it Tuesday night.

“It has not been adopted,” insisted Mark Alan Siegel, chairman of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, just hours after the platform was adopted by acclimation.

Kosher Kickers

09/04/2012 | Steve Lipman | Staff Writer

Houston — As the college football season gets underway, two Jews in the South will soon exchange New Year’s greetings.

That’s not unusual. But their background is — both are or have been college students at Historically Black University and Colleges (HBCUs), and both have played on their schools’ football teams as place kickers.

‘Red Lines’ On Iran Get Mixed Response In Charlotte

09/04/2012 | Stewart Ain | Staff Writer

Charlotte, N.C. — Reports that the Obama administration is considering clarifying what might trigger American military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities received a mixed reaction here from two Democratic members of the New York congressional delegation.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler of Manhattan. “He’s been getting tougher and tougher with Iran — more than other governments. I assume he has already said privately to Iran what the line is.”

Meet 2012’s Great Schlep

08/31/2012 | Helen Chernikoff | Staff Writer

Sure, the Great Schlep -- the 2008 video urging young Jews to visit their grandparents in Florida to convince them to vote for then-candidate Barack Obama -- had live action, and Sarah Silverman’s star power.

At GOP Convention, Have Kipas, Will Turn Heads

08/30/2012 | Stewart Ain | Staff Writer

Tampa — Delegates to the Republican National Convention here this week were surprised to see men wear yarmulkes walking through the convention floor and mingling with other delegates.

“People kept coming over to us all night and asking what we were doing here,” said Judah Ribiat. “We said we believe in the principles and values of the Republican Party. One of them asked, ‘How can we get the other 80 percent of Jews to join you?’”