Dear Rabbi,
How can you claim that the Jewish-African-American alliance was successful? Jews worked very hard to help get equal rights for the black community, but now this community is quite hostile to Israel (and American Jews) and its legislators score very low on all issues concerning Israel's security and well being. Aren't we going to go through the same process with Latinos? How can it be changed?
Thank you for your answer.
Rita Gravitz
FL
I respectfully disagree with the premise that African Americans are not supportive of the State of Israel and other issues of Jewish concern. I would define the state of Black/Jewish relations today as one of cooperation and not of conflict as African and Jewish Americans nationwide have engaged in programs and activities to explore and rediscover shared values.
Regarding the question of Latino support of Jewish issues, for the last few years, efforts at building a dynamic Jewish/Latino coalition have been gaining momentum across the United States. Latinos view the Jewish community as a model for building their own political and organizational strength. The most natural issue for an alliance between the two communities is immigration, which allowed the Jewish community to grow and prosper in the last century. Finally, there are strong and extensive relationships between the two congressional groups.
We are extremely pleased that the Hispanic Caucus members have been most supportive of the State of Israel. Jews and Latinos must continue to recognize the strength that comes from sharing our similarities and differences.
Very truly yours,
Rabbi Marc Schneier