Last fall during a social justice panel at J Street’s policy conference, a Wesleyan senior named Emily Hoffman said that she needed to talk about "privilege" in the Jewish community, and Alana Alpert, a rabbinical student, promptly echoed her: "I often feel the same way." I found the exchange liberating. It seemed that these young Jews were grappling with a sociological reality and a new chapter in Jewish history: incredible wealth and access.
And with that preamble, another list of Jewish names. The Times yesterday covered Harold Ford Jr.’s announcement that he won’t take on Kirsten Gillibrand for Senate in NY. The article was filled with the names of Jewish power-brokers. Marc Lasry tells Ford all the money is locked up by Gillibrand. Steve Rattner was backing Ford. So was Doug Schoen, who once worked for Menachem Begin. Among New York’s "wealthiest and most politically connected executives" Ford consulted were Ron Perelman and Robert Wolf (sounds Jewish, but I don’t know), and Richard Plepler of HBO– who I’m guessing is Jewish; he did a film on PBS with the help of the Israeli consulate, called Dennis Ross a national treasure, and advised the American Jewish Committee on the impact of the presidential race on Israel. And, for Gillibrand, there is Glenn Caplin–I’m guessing again, but he worked for Howard Rubenstein, pr guru and Israel lobbyist. Oh and Mort Zuckerman has also said he won’t take Gillibrand on…
I don’t know where all these folks stand on the Israel question, but I have a pretty good idea. And while we’re on the subject, don’t forget that the two offices closest to the president are occupied by Jews, with responsibility for national security. And when there was any thought that Rashid Khalidi, a Palestinian-American, would have a place in the Obama administration’s braintrust on these matters, he was smeared. Dennis Ross the eternal appointee, lately chair of the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute, meanwhile, seems to be guiding our hawkish Iran policy.
You cannot reckon with the power of the Israel lobby in American political life without acknowledging Jewish wealth.
