Political Activism

Come gather ‘round people, wherever you roam. And admit that the waters around you have grown. And accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone.If your time to you is worth savin’, then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changin’.

Bob Dylan

The Times They are a-Changin'

The 60s has been labeled the era of sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll, but for those who came of age in that decade, it was much more. It was also the time when many of us were swept up in social/political movements to advance causes from civil rights to ending the war in Viet Nam.

Even if you weren’t among those "Takin’ It to the Streets," few of our generation escaped those tumultuous times without a heightened sense of social and civic responsibility. Over the next three decades, however, most of us had to focus on building our careers and sustaining the well being of our families. Finding time for community involvement and political action was a challenge.

Maybe you managed to coach YSO or Little League despite your busy schedule. Or you diligently volunteered at your kids’ school. If you’re like me, you did your part by writing checks. Lots of checks.

But after changing lanes, I realized I have more options. During this year’s hotly contested presidential campaign, I felt a reawakening of the innate part of my psyche that wants to make a difference in people’s lives. And since I am no longer a 60-80 hour/week road warrior, I could devote my time to making an impact on behalf of the candidate of my choice. In my case, I volunteered for Barack Obama, but I tell this story not to focus on my specific choice, but to encourage you to get behind whoever your choice might be.

The specific trigger that energized me was an email from my brother, reacting to information that’s been disseminated through the internet, casting doubt on Obama’s support for Israel. While I knew the criticism to be false, I also knew this kind of rumor could have a disastrous effect on potential supporters within the Jewish community.

So I went to work, gathering up the facts from trusted sources and wrote my own counter argument in as compelling a way as I could. I then e-blasted it to my family and my Jewish and non-Jewish friends, many of whom passed it on to their email lists. This is how I fought fire with fire.

It was very gratifying to read the responses I got from people who had been seeking well reasoned and documented information on this important issue. I felt I helped them make their own decisions while providing the ammunition for some to carry forward the message. If you’re interested, you can read the email below. In any case, the point I’m making is that political activism is an option to consider as a fulfilling lane change if you are looking for a way to reenergize your life.

And there’s no better time than the present.  

Last evening, I attended a discussion at the Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles featuring former Congressman Mel Levine and Congressman Adam Schiff, both stalwart supporters of Israel and experts in Middle Eastern affairs from their years of service on the House foreign affairs and intelligence committees. Both men spoke passionately about their support for Barack Obama for president with special emphasis on their conviction regarding Senator Obama’s long-standing and ongoing commitment to the security and survival of Israel as a Jewish state.

They were both extremely articulate and I felt proud that the Jewish community produced these great proponents of American and Israeli interests in the world. However, I was decidedly not proud of the reason this event was deemed necessary in the first place. The virulent disinformation campaign against Obama that has been disseminated through the internet in recent days has unknown roots, but the fact that it is spread through the Jewish community has pained me terribly. I feel compelled to speak out against this practice of passing on unsubstantiated scurrilous material without applying any critical thought to its content. There are readily available information sources (including those from the reputable Jewish organizations we have supported for decades as well as the Senator’s own voting record, two books and speech transcripts) that put a lie to all the attempts to sully his excellent reputation on issues near and dear to the hearts of Jewish Americans.

Levine and Schiff supported their positions through reason and their personal experience with the Senator on these matters. They referenced his work against the Arab boycott lobbying in the state legislature, his support of the Arrow missile program, his speaking out against anti-Semitism at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on MLK Day, his speech in Ramallah affirming America’s unflagging commitment to Israel, and his clear statements about the unacceptability of a nuclear Iran. But most compelling was the fact that they put their own reputations on the line as pillars of the Jewish community that they would never support a candidate for president who harbored anti-Semitic sentiments or wasn’t wholly supportive of the security and survival of Israel. And not just its survival, but its status as a Jewish state, without the threat of destruction through the Palestinian claim of a right of return.

Anyone who bothers to read Obama’s book, “Dreams of My Father,” would know that he is not a Moslem, that his father left the family when Barack was two and that he is a Christian by upbringing and by choice. He has always denounced the abhorrent anti-Semitic remarks of Louis Farrakhan and has done so to black audiences, not just recently on the campaign trail. His Middle East policy advisors do not include the likes of Brzezinski and Robert Malley but rather Eric Lynn and Mel Levine. Mr. Levine also pointed out the smear campaign included an attack on Anthony Lake, who, guess what, is a converted Jew. Yes a Jew by choice.

Lastly, the proof to me is in the Chicago and Illinois pudding—from Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky, to Penny Pritzker, and Lester Crown. It is clear that the Jewish leaders who know Obama best are those who worked with him in Chicago and in the state. The truth is that they all love him and praise him not only for his leadership qualities that many have found so inspiring, but also for his steadfast support for Israel.

Sincerely,
Jane Jelenko

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