Reaction positive to choice of Lieberman

Stacy J. Willis

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000 | 10:21 a.m.

When Rabbi Sanford Akselrad welcomed U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman to Congregation Ner Tamid last fall, he didn't realize his guest would be the next Democratic vice presidential candidate.

Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew, wore his yarmulke and talked to an audience of 300 about politics in Israel.

On Monday Akselrad and other Las Vegas Jewish leaders expressed pride that Lieberman, D-Conn., was selected as Al Gore's running mate -- making him the first Jewish vice presidential candidate in U.S. history.

But many also said that ideally his religion would not be an issue in the race.

"From the point of view of an American who is Jewish, this is very exciting. In many ways it reflects how far society has come -- that it is indifferent to a candidate's race and religion," Akselrad, a Reform rabbi, said.

"But the very fact that the media is focusing on his Jewish identity says that we are not completely free of prejudice," Akselrad added.

As an Orthodox Jew, Lieberman observes the Sabbath -- he refrains from working or even driving a car on Saturdays as a part of his faith.

There is a wide variety of religious practices among those who consider themselves to be "Orthodox" as opposed to conservative or reform Jews -- generally, Orthodox Jews more stridently observe religious rituals.

And many Orthodox Jews lean to the conservative side in politics, according to Rabbi Shea Harlig, Orthodox rabbi of Chabad Southern Nevada.

"That's why this is good for the Democratic ticket -- it makes it more conservative and splits it from the Clinton image," Harlig said.

"Some members (of my congregation) like myself lean toward the Republican platform in terms of family values, abortion and school vouchers. But this makes it a tougher choice, not because Lieberman is Jewish, but because of some of his more conservative views," Harlig said.

Lieberman was among the first to break with his party and criticize President Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and he has healthy relations with the Christian right. Three percent of the U.S. population is Jewish; in Las Vegas the percentage is slightly higher -- about 4 percent. Ten percent of the U.S. Jewish population is Orthodox. "But no one should interpret this as a foregone conclusion that the entire Jewish population will vote for him -- they won't," said Meyer L. Bodoff, executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas. "Yes, the entire Jewish community is proud and honored, but that doesn't always mean they will vote for him."

UNLV political science professor Ted Jelen said the selection of Lieberman will have "a minuscule effect" on Nevada voters.

"But it might play well among the significant Mormon population, who see themselves as a beleaguered religious group," Jelen said.

Other community leaders of Jewish heritage agreed with Akselrad that Lieberman's faith shouldn't even be the topic of political analysis. "As far as I'm concerned, he's a very capable man and I don't care if he's Jewish or black or Italian," prominent Las Vegas developer Irwin Molaskey said. "I look at him as a bright guy -- and I would refuse to get involved in any analysis that involves his religion."

Additionally, some expressed concern that the nomination of Lieberman will spark anti-Semitic actions by extremist groups.

"I think there is some latent anti-Semitism here," said Akselrad. "And this might give them cause to agitate. But that doesn't mean he shouldn't run, of course."

National Director of the Anti-Defamation League Abraham H. Foxman issued a statement Monday saying, "While anti-Semites and those on the fringe of society who subscribe to conspiracy theories may have a field day with the choice of Sen. Lieberman, we remain confident that the American people will dismiss the extremists and consider him on his public record."

An 1998 Anti-Defamation poll showed that 12 percent of American adults have strong anti-Semitic beliefs, down from 20 percent in 1992 and 32 percent in 1960.