JUNE 25 2021 ♦ 15 TAMUZ, 5781

THE WEEKLY PRINT Is it Miller time in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District?; Islanders national anthem singer Nicole Raviv bridges nationalities and musical genres; Can Glenn Youngkin stem the blue tide in the Old Dominion?; Why Israel’s move to CENTCOM matters; Kathryn Garcia sounds note of cautious optimism at Williamsburg watch party; and The politically lonely progressive Zionists

JUNE 23, 2021 Is it Miller time in Ohio’s 16th Congressional Dis- trict? Max Miller, who worked in the Trump administration, is bringing the national GOP debate over to the district

By Matthew Kassel

espite a fiery campaign is expected to gin up support for Miller’s Whether Miller is capable of maintaining announcement in late February, fledgling campaign — part of an ongoing that energy with a year or so remaining until D Max Miller has maintained a effort to take revenge against those in the the primary — and with the boundaries of relatively subdued local profile since he Republican Party who Trump believes the electoral map set to be redrawn when launched his primary bid against Rep. crossed him following his departure from Ohio drops a congressional seat next cycle Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), one of 10 the White House. — is also a key factor. But he claims that he House Republicans who voted in favor Trump’s speech is certain to increase is taking nothing for granted. of impeaching former President Donald the stakes of an already contentious “I am going to get out there and meet Trump after the violent Capitol riot that congressional showdown that has come every single individual within the 16th has since exposed deep divisions within to embody a widening rift within the District, or whatever district it’s going to be the GOP. Republican Party between those who when it all is done with redistricting, and Over the past few months, Miller — remain fiercely loyal to the ex-president earn their vote,” Miller told Jewish Insider who worked as an aide in the Trump and others who feel the events of January in a recent interview. “It is not enough for administration and was rewarded 6 were a deal-breaker. The outcome will, me, and it should not be enough for the with an endorsement from the former in many ways, serve as a barometer as to voter, just because I have President Trump’s president immediately after he announced which side holds more sway among voters endorsement, to be the anointed one.” his candidacy — has instead focused as speculation swirls over the possibility That Miller is eager to swat away considerable attention on courting donors that Trump will mount a 2024 comeback suggestions of his privileged status in the at Mar-a-Lago while sitting for interviews campaign for the White House. race is telling. The 32-year-old Cleveland with national right-wing outlets like OANN, “It’s going to be a very interesting test native and Marine reservist first gained a Newsmax and Fox News. case of Trumpism in the Republican Party position on Trump’s 2016 campaign thanks But Miller’s challenge is likely to receive versus what used to be the establishment to a family connection — though in fairness, a major in-state boost on Saturday evening, of the Republican Party,” said David it is unclear how many applicants were vying when Trump is scheduled to host his first Cohen, a professor of political science to join what was then a deeply polarizing summer rally of the 2022 election cycle at at the University of Akron’s Ray C. Bliss presidential bid. Miller, a 2013 graduate of the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Northeast Institute of Applied Politics. “Right now, the Cleveland State University, earned the job Ohio. The former president, who has yet to momentum, the enthusiasm and the money in spite of an arrest record that came under declare whether he will run for office again, is really on the side of Trumpism.” scrutiny during his time serving in the White

1 House as a staffer in the office of personnel a predominantly white, working-class, president were under attack by a mob and and then as the director of advance. Miller rural enclave including some western the president didn’t step up in my opinion in worked as a deputy campaign manager on suburbs of Cleveland, remains a redoubt of nearly the right way to calm it down, to stop Trump’s 2020 re-election bid. Trumpism — which may give Miller a built- it,” Gonzalez said in an interview with The While in Washington, Miller established in advantage. Dispatch in late January. himself as something of a consummate “If you take what we mean when we Now, he is facing two primary Trumpworld insider. He developed a close say ‘Trump country’ and we apply it to this challengers to his right, including Jonah connection with the former president and district, I think you’d be pretty close to being Schulz, a Cleveland resident and former built a reputation as a fierce and devoted on mark,” said David Giffels, the author of Republican congressional candidate who loyalist within Trump’s inner circle, Barnstorming Ohio: To Understand America. described himself as a “true conservative” where his political and personal life were “There are a lot of pick-up trucks in the 16th in a mid-February Twitter announcement. occasionally intertwined. District.” “My RINO opponent Anthony Gonzalez For a time, Miller dated Stephanie So far, however, Miller’s fundraising voted to IMPEACH President Trump.” Grisham, Trump’s former press secretary suggests that he is benefiting more from Just weeks later, Miller — who is by all and communications director. The couple out-of-state support, with a preponderance accounts the most credible challenger — flaunted their relationship status at a state of donations flowing in from Trump’s entered the race. “I’m running for Congress dinner for the Australian prime minister home base of Florida, according to the most to stand up for Northeast Ohioans,” he said at the White House in 2019. According to recent filings from the Federal Election on social media. “They overwhelmingly a campaign spokesperson, Miller is now Commission. voted for the America First agenda. But their engaged to Emily Moreno, who worked on Miller recently settled in Rocky River, Congressman betrayed them when he voted Trump’s 2020 campaign and is the daughter a city on Lake Erie where Gonzalez also to impeach President Trump. I won’t back of Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno, lives, as he seeks to establish a presence in down. And I’ll never betray them.” a Senate candidate in Ohio’s increasingly the district after four years in Washington. In the interview with JI, Miller said crowded Republican primary. “In a safely red district,” Miller told JI, “I the Capitol attack was “a sad day for this Miller is the scion of a wealthy Shaker really saw an opportunity to get a stronger country,” but quickly qualified his remarks. Heights family with deep roots in the conservative leader in who is going to push “But I want to make something very clear,” city’s political and philanthropic milieu. the America First policies and agenda he said. “Nothing that the president did on His grandfather, Sam Miller, a co-chair of that President Trump had instilled in this January 6 and leading up to January 6 is an Cleveland’s Forest City Enterprises, was a country.” impeachable offense.” powerbroker whose influence extended well Under normal circumstances, Gonzalez Miller said he discussed his candidacy beyond real estate development before his would be the kind of politician Republican with Trump before jumping into the race death in 2019. The son of Jewish immigrants leaders seem eager to embrace. The son of four months ago. “He said, ‘It’s going to from Russia and Poland, the elder Miller a Cuban immigrant father, the Cleveland be nasty, are you ready for that?’” Miller is credited with launching the career of native played football at The Ohio State recalled. “That was his biggest concern.” Michael White, Cleveland’s second-longest- University — garnering widespread renown But Miller seems more eager than serving mayor, while using his considerable for a game-winning catch — and was Gonzalez — whose campaign declined wealth and political clout to support a drafted into the NFL in 2007. He played interview requests from JI — to engage number of causes that were personally for the Indianapolis Colts for four years in mudslinging. Miller alleges that important to him, including advocating for as a receiver before signing with the New Gonzalez has been absent from the district Israel. England Patriots, retiring from football in throughout his tenure in office. “Anthony But despite Miller’s impressive pedigree, 2012. has abandoned the community and spends he remains something of an unknown entity He earned a business degree from the vast majority of his time in Washington, in the region. Though early polling from the Stanford University and ran for Congress D.C.,” Miller charged. “It’s troublesome.” conservative Club for Growth, which has in 2018, winning his primary by more than He also accused the two-term endorsed him, gave him a nine-point lead 10%. Gonzalez ran uncontested in the 2020 representative of supporting Democratic over Gonzalez with nearly 40% of the vote primary and, before his impeachment policies, despite a voting record that put him among Republican primary voters, 31% vote, was overwhelmingly popular in his in line with Trump’s agenda more than 85% of respondents said they were undecided district, even among independents and of the time. because they were unfamiliar with Miller’s some Democrats. Despite strong resistance “I don’t know Anthony too well,” Miller candidacy. from Trump supporters in the state and said when asked if he agreed with Gonzalez Few who spoke with JI were aware of nationally, including calls for his resignation on any issues. “In terms of his policy record, Miller before he entered the primary in from Ohio Republican Party leaders, I think it speaks for itself. He voted to keep Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, where Gonzalez has defended casting his vote troops in Syria, which really bothered me. Gonzalez, 36, is currently serving his against the former president. As somebody who is in the military, I truly second term. Still, the solidly red district, “The reality is the Congress and the vice believe that we need to get out of these

2 endless wars.” we can.” a champion of [former] President Trump’s The first-time candidate said he is Miller also vociferously rejected MAGA policies and a staunch supporter of running for Congress, in large part, so he the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions the State of Israel,” he said in a text message can work to advance Trump’s foreign policy movement targeting Israel as antisemitic. to JI. agenda. Miller puts his Jewish identity, “This is the exact type of rhetoric that we’re Still, a number of Jewish community which he says is intimately connected with seeing from the left right now that we need members and pro-Israel advocates in his strong and unequivocal support for to push back [on],” said Miller, who was Cleveland and the surrounding area are Israel, front and center on his campaign appointed by Trump to the board of trustees standing by Gonzalez. website. of the United States Holocaust Memorial “He showcases to us that he takes our “Under the Trump administration, what Museum in Washington. “This is exactly community very seriously,” said Howie he was able to accomplish for the State of why I’m going to Congress to fight things Beigelman, executive director of Ohio Israel, he did more in four years than any like this and to shut these things down. I Jewish Communities. “On the record side,” other president could have ever done in the obviously have an emotional connection.” Beigelman added, “because he has a record history of this country, bar none,” Miller Miller’s passion for Middle East foreign to run on at this point, he’s been there on the said enthusiastically, using the kind of policy runs in the family: His uncle is Aaron things we’ve asked him for.” breathless rhetoric he often relies on while David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Gonzalez visited Israel in 2019 on a discussing the former president. “People Endowment for International Peace and trip sponsored by the AIPAC-affiliated said if you move the embassy from Tel Aviv a former longtime Middle East analyst in American Israel Education Foundation to Jerusalem, you’re going to have another the State Department as well as a peace and has made clear to Jewish leaders in the intifada. Nothing happened. The Abraham negotiator. Cleveland area that he is strongly devoted Accords are historic,” he said, referring to Not that they seem to agree on much to safeguarding the U.S.-Israel relationship, the pact that normalized relations between when it comes to geopolitics in the region. “I according to Beigelman, who characterized Israel, the United Arab Emirates and do have a great relationship with my uncle the congressman’s commitment to the Bahrain. Aaron. I think he’s a wonderful guy, but I Jewish state as “from the heart.” “I mean, you cannot devalue that,” think we have a fundamental disagreement,” Beigelman, whose organization Miller added, “and I think anyone who says Miller said without going into specifics. represents Ohio’s eight Jewish Federations different truly doesn’t understand what “Look, I understand that he is a Middle East as well as 150 affiliated nonprofit agencies President Trump and this administration foreign policy expert and one of the top in throughout the state, told JI he suspects [were] able to accomplish.” the country, if not the world, but we do have that many Jewish community members will Miller emphasized his vehement fundamental disagreements.” remain loyal to Gonzalez in the upcoming opposition to the Iran nuclear deal on the Aaron David Miller, for his part, declined primary even as Miller makes inroads grounds that it is against Israel’s interests. to weigh in when asked for comment about in the district, which is home to a small “You could go over to Israel right now and his nephew’s bid for public office. “Love but politically engaged cohort of Jewish you could take the most left-leaning Israeli my sibs and their kids,” he told JI in a brief constituents. “I feel people will like his and that individual would not support the email. “But I never mix family and politics.” chutzpah, of being independent,” Beigelman Iran nuclear deal,” said Miller, who harshly Miller suggested that he will be a said of the congressman’s impeachment criticized President ’s Middle stronger advocate for Israel than Gonzalez if vote. “I think there are plenty of people in East foreign policy approach amid recent he is elected. our community who value that.” violence between Israel and Hamas. “If that “There’s a lot of people in Congress, and “He has demonstrated the kind of doesn’t speak volumes to what this country I think Anthony is one of them, who say courage that I want all the representatives is doing in terms of not being an ally to they’re pro-Israel. You can be pro-Israel, to demonstrate,” said Rita Schaner, a Canton Israel, it is very alarming to me.” but are you going to be a champion for resident who is active in Jewish causes, “I look at the United States-Israeli Israel? That’s what I boil it down to,” Miller recalling a meeting with the congressman relationship as the most important ally said, adding: “When it really matters, and before the recent impeachment trial. “I that we have, not only geopolitically and if something is going to happen to that was impressed with him then. I am more strategically, but it’s the only democracy in country, are you going to go and fight for it, impressed with him now, and I have told his the Middle East,” Miller told JI. “We need or are you just going to go be pro-Israel on aides that I will actively work and encourage to hold that to be true. They are just like paper? I’m telling you that I’m going to be a my friends who live in the district to vote for we are. They value freedom of religion and champion for the State of Israel.” him.” the system of values and liberty and free Boris Epshteyn, a political commentator “Miller I know nothing about, OK?” elections. There are not too many countries, and former Trump advisor who has donated Schaner added. “Nothing.” if any, over in the Middle East right now to Miller’s campaign, agreed with that self- Rob Zimmerman, a Shaker Heights city that have that, and it’s extremely important assessment. “I’m proud to have worked with councilmember and pro-Israel activist, that we need to remain strong with Israel in Max Miller and am fully confident that once said he had never heard of Miller either, lockstep and support them in any way that elected to Congress, Max will continue to be but remains concerned that Trump’s

3 imprimatur will give the rookie candidate an “When you have a congressman like that, impeachment,” he insists that his candidacy edge in the upcoming primary. Zimmerman you stand by him.” is about more than simply enacting payback told JI he is now working to boost Gonzalez, Even a family member of Miller’s on behalf of Trump. raising money for the embattled incumbent expressed optimism that the neophyte “I’m sick of seeing people like along with Democrats and Republicans. “ I Republican challenger would meet some Congressman Gonzalez who say they’re feel very strongly in country over party,” he resistance in his effort to overthrow going to do one thing and turn their back said. Gonzalez. and do another and cozy up to these dinner Such principled sentiments suggest “I would hope that any decent person parties and the social elites of Washington, that Gonzalez may have more allies than is who is a part of the community he’s from D.C., New York and California,” Miller readily apparent as Miller enters the scene would feel a moral obligation to repudiate declared. “And they’re afraid to really stand with significant momentum. him and all the lunatics like him — from up for the people, so instead what they do is “Congressman Gonzalez has fought Trump on down — in the strongest possible they stand up for themselves.” to provide greater support for Holocaust terms,” said Adam Ratner, a distant cousin Miller is running, above all, “to serve survivors, has been a strong ally in the fight of Miller’s who lives in New York City and the constituents of the 16th District and against antisemitism and has consistently did not hesitate to offer his views on the represent their interests,” he averred, “not supported a close relationship between the record in an email exchange with JI. my own.” United States and Israel,” said Jason Wuliger, While Miller acknowledges the “target of “That’s truly what I want to do.” ♦ a pro-Israel advocate in the Cleveland area. opportunity that came up with the vote for

JUNE 24, 2021 Islanders national anthem singer Nicole Raviv bridges nationalities and musical genres The international artist taps into her multicultural background to create a new flavor of music

By Madeline Solomon

s the New York Islanders’ her parents grew up — for the hockey folk singer the next, refers to her national anthem singer, Nicole off-season and plans to travel back and style as “world music” — a blurring of A Raviv was used to the spotlight forth to North America. genres that focuses more on narrative when she took the stage on June 9 The move is the next natural step than a particular sound. Her trilingual ahead of a playoff game against the for Raviv, who was born and raised in background is reflected in her music. Boston Bruins. Montreal with her three siblings after “I think that I’ve grown up like anyone What she wasn’t prepared for, her parents relocated to Canada. For would, and realized what I want to talk however, was a technical glitch that cut years she has seamlessly woven her about. So lyrics are more important to her microphone, resulting in an arena- personal identity and her creative me now,” Raviv said. “And sounds and wide singalong that quickly went viral. expression as a musician who moves textures of the music are important to After a year in which Raviv had between languages, cultures and genres. me now. Even if I’m singing in English, largely sung to an empty arena due to “Hebrew is the first language I was I love putting Mediterranean sounds in COVID-19 restrictions, the moment was taught at home. My father used to sing there just to paint the story of me and heartwarming. “I think at this point, it’s with me from a very young age and who I am.” become a lot more intimate with these taught me my first melodies,” Raviv Raviv seemed destined for an [fans] and less distant. This is a crowd, told JI. “I always felt a connection to international musical career. Her this is a performance… and more of the Hebrew language. I’m always asked mother, a child of Holocaust survivors like a collective environment,” she told to sing in Hebrew for Jewish events in who was born in Romania, and her Jewish Insider in a recent conversation. America. When I’m on stage in Tel Aviv, father, who was born in Morocco — The evening was very special for I’ll throw in a few Hebrew cover songs, both actors — met on stage performing Raviv as the team’s national anthem of course.” in Israel. When she was 18, she moved singer, a job she first took on in 2019. Raviv, who can sound like a sultry from Montreal to New York to study She will soon to head to Israel — where pop diva one moment and an Israeli musical theater at the American Musical

4 and Dramatic Academy, and at The New been far from mind. During Israel’s survivor, moved to Israel after World School University, where she received a conflict with Hamas in Gaza last War II and lived there the rest of his bachelor’s in fine arts degree, and never month, which she watched unfold from life. The music video is a mixed-media left the city. thousands of miles away, she found it compilation of home movies and “New York was always the place I “difficult to be far from my family and vintage clips of Israel that underscore wanted to go to,” Raviv said. “Because see everything unravel the way it did,” Raviv’s multicultural background. I think the opportunities were best for she told JI. Raviv noted the recent rise Many of her songs are in Hebrew. my industry — and for every industry.” in antisemitism in the U.S. that followed “I’ve kind of been everywhere, but I’ve She released her album “#GirlBoss” the conflict. “In America, things got bad always been Jewish. I’ve always been in 2017, and her single “Do It for Love too.” Israeli, I speak the language,” Raviv in 2019.” Her next single, “What You Rare for a musical artist, Raviv has said. “So I’ve always just carried that Started,” will come out in July, and she incorporated visual of antisemitic with me. And that sense of pride has plans to release a new album later this attacks into her work. The video for “Do always been with me. I’ve been getting a year. It For Love” includes a scene in which lot of reactions from people saying, ‘So “I am excited to collaborate with the an identifiably Jewish man is pushed to nice to see someone Jewish and proud well-renowned saxophone player Richie the ground by assailants who swipe his out there.’ It gives them confidence to Cannata [he played the soulful sax solo yarmulke off his head. The video ends do the same,” Raviv said. on Billy Joel’s iconic song “New York with Raviv dancing in the desert with “I want to take this melting pot that I State of Mind”] on my new song that an Israeli flag. am and that New York is and that Israel comes out this summer,” Raviv shared. “Angel,” released last year as a tribute is and that all of us kind of are,” Raviv “I’m working with producers from New to her late grandfather who passed away said. “And bring it all together.” ♦ York as well as in Israel.” in 2018, was her first official bilingual Even in New York, Israel has never song. Her grandfather, a Holocaust

JUNE 22, 2021 Can Glenn Youngkin stem the blue tide in the Old Dominion? The former Carlyle CEO running for governor in Virginia hopes he can win over Republicans and moderates by avoiding Trump, but is going all-in on conservative culture war

By Gabby Deutch

or most of the last 12 years, later. Glenn Youngkin, a political newcomer Republicans in Virginia have As the Virginia gubernatorial race who most recently served as chief F been wandering in a political begins in earnest, Democrats in the executive of investing giant The wilderness. Old Dominion seem to think the status Carlyle Group. Youngkin has touted his They watched in despair as quo is working. In a landslide primary business bona fides while running a Democrats swept statewide elections election earlier this month, Virginia campaign that’s scant on policy details, in 2013, then nearly won control of the Democrats nominated Terry McAuliffe, in the hopes of appealing to both the General Assembly in 2017 — the final the prolific national fundraiser who Trump-supporting base of his party seat resulted in a tie that was broken already served as governor from 2014 and the suburban swing voters who when the Republican’s name was pulled to 2018. (The state bars governors from overwhelmingly shifted to Democrats out of a bowl — before going on to wrest serving two consecutive terms.) during the past administration. His control of the House of Delegates and But the GOP hasn’t given up on clearest argument seems to be that he is State Senate in 2019. Republicans’ poor Virginia yet. From a primary field of a new face on the scene — and he thinks electoral fortunes were not limited to well-known Republican politicians Virginia needs change. Richmond; former President Donald ranging from business-friendly state “I think common sense has been Trump lost the state by five points in lawmakers to a self-described “Trump checked at the door,” Youngkin told 2016, but lost it by 10 points four years in heels,” Republican voters chose Jewish Insider in a recent interview at 5 his campaign headquarters in Falls Since winning the Republican Critics of critical race theory argue Church, Va., just inside the Beltway. nomination at a statewide nominating that teaching children that white He was wearing a white Oxford shirt convention last month, Youngkin has Americans have “white privilege” due to with his campaign logo — the words shied away from mentioning Trump on their race, while Black people and other YOUNGKIN GOVERNOR above the the campaign trail. This marks a change people of color are at a disadvantage, shape of Virginia — embroidered in red. for Youngkin, who ran a markedly more encourages strife between racial “Being an outsider who brings a fresh conservative campaign in the primary, groups. “It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t perspective, I can say things like, ‘Well, when he touted his Election Integrity talk about the challenges that so many why in the world do we do it like that?’” Task Force, and refused to say whether folks and particularly black Americans Despite Democrats’ good fortunes President Joe Biden was legitimately have faced,” Youngkin noted. “In fact, in Virginia in recent years, a win is not elected. Just days after clinching the it kind of pits kids against one another. a guaranteed outcome for McAuliffe. A nomination, he began to acknowledge And this just isn’t right.” recent poll showed the former governor Biden’s election as legitimate. Republicans like Youngkin seek to beating Youngkin by only four points, He has also avoided taking concrete limit recent school board curriculum a surprisingly close margin. Yet unlike positions on culturally conservative changes that now mandate the teaching 2017, when national money poured into issues like abortion and gun rights. of topics like white supremacy and the state’s down-ballot races, Virginia His campaign website does not have racism in greater detail. Democrats worry those donors might an issues page, and a Washington “It was, in fact, mandated through feel they no longer need to invest in Post editorial criticized Youngkin for the Board of Education, that we were Virginia. “We’ll have a challenging “mastering the duck and the dodge.” going to teach this in the schools. We time convincing national donors that Democrats’ strategy involves taking will de-mandate that,” said Youngkin. Virginia is at risk,” a former Democratic Youngkin’s lack of concrete policy He did not provide further details on state official told JI. proposals and tying him to Trump, but how he will attempt to fight critical race “A Republican can win in Virginia,” Youngkin is attempting to pre-empt theory. “The goal is for us to actually not said Mark Rozell, dean of the Schar that by running TV ads across the state, judge people by the color of their skin, School of Policy and Government part of his decision to invest millions but by the content of their character at George Mason University. “There of his own dollars into his campaign. and by opening up opportunity for are many analyses that I think are “It’s giving Youngkin the opportunity everyone,” he explained, quoting Martin overstated, that claim that Virginia to define himself prior to the time Luther King, Jr. is a solid blue state now strongly that the Democrats define him,” said The Board of Education is a in Democratic hands, and nearly Bob Holsworth, managing director at commission whose members are impossible for Republicans to win DecideSmart, a Virginia-based political appointed by the governor, and statewide. We’ve been here before.” consulting firm. Youngkin would not have sway over the In an interview with JI, Youngkin While Youngkin is tiptoeing around board until its current members’ terms provided insight into how he plans Trump’s legacy, he is offering a full- expire, beginning next year. to address two of his major priorities throated endorsement of the latest In response to the racial reckoning — education and the economy — front in national Republicans’ culture that occurred last summer after George and expressed concern over rising war: the battle in school boards across Floyd’s murder, the state Board of antisemitism in Virginia and around the country, including in Virginia, over Education adopted some changes the country. Unlike many Republican critical race theory. to Virginia’s state history and social Senate and House candidates who are “What critical race theory is clearly science standards last fall. But the new clamoring for Trump’s endorsement, about is, first, identifying people by standards do not refer to “critical race Youngkin did not mention the former the color of their skin and dividing theory,” and ultimately most decisions president over the course of the people into groups, and then providing about how to adapt those standards interview. judgments on those groups,” Youngkin into concrete curriculums occur at local “He’s making, I think, the right explained. The term refers to a legal school board levels, which would be out choice in presenting himself now as a theory, which has historically been of Youngkin’s direct control as governor. mainstream, conservative Republican, reserved for college courses, that Still, Youngkin and Republicans and trying to move away from the taint of asserts that racism is systemic in the think the message sells. Critical race the Trump era,” said Rozell. “All of that U.S. Over the past few months, as many theory “clearly has some political is complicated by the fact that Trump school boards around the country have appeal” as a campaign talking point, gave a full-throated endorsement of mandated instruction about racism said Rozell. “If the Republicans can Youngkin, and Youngkin responded following widespread racial justice actually pivot away from the Trump by saying he was honored to have that protests, the term has come into popular era, and turn the tables, and try to endorsement.” parlance. characterize the Democratic left as

6 having gone way too far, there may difficult if voters don’t know who he a lessening of understanding of, one, be a strategy there to win over some is. A graduate of and we have to treat each other with deep swing voters in the critical suburbs and , Youngkin respect, but also, why do we teach about exurban communities.” worked at Carlyle for 25 years. He has the Holocaust in Virginia? It’s to make Jewish Republicans think the donated hundreds of thousands of sure that Virginians understand and message is resonating in their dollars to Republican politicians, but can remember,” Youngkin explained. communities, too. “I think it’s an issue was not widely known as a major donor. McAuliffe has not released that has really taken hold,” said William Youngkin’s relative novelty also a concrete plan on confronting Kilberg, a former partner at Gibson, extends to the state’s Jewish community. antisemitism, but his website Dunn and Crutcher who served as “Most of my Jewish friends, candidly, notes that he intends to “improve solicitor for the U.S. Department of are either in New York or Texas,” identification and enforcement of hate Labor in the Nixon administration and Youngkin said when asked who he is crimes.” Reached for comment this who lives in McLean. “I think people are close to in Virginia’s Jewish community. week following Youngkin’s proposal, very concerned. They’re seeing a lot of it Youngkin’s former colleague David McAuliffe mentioned the deadly 2017 in the schools, both public and private.” Rubenstein, the Carlyle founder and Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Rabbi Dovid Asher of Keneseth a prominent Jewish philanthropist, which he called “a grim reminder that Beth Israel, an Orthodox synagogue declined to comment, noting through a antisemitism and white supremacy are in Richmond, expressed concern that spokesperson that he does not weigh in alive and well in our Commonwealth curriculum changes could target Jewish on political topics. and in our nation” and noted that students, or unfairly leave out Jewish Youngkin is active in faith circles; Youngkin’s “top endorser Donald history. (The edited standards adopted he served as church warden at Holy Trump…called these domestic terrorists by the state last year include the Trinity Church in McLean, and until ‘very fine people.’” (In response, a Holocaust, which has long been part he ran for office, he was on the board Youngkin spokesperson noted that “the of the state standards.) “I think a lot of of trustees at the Museum of the Bible anti-Semitic march in Charlottesville us are concerned about efforts in other in Washington. Funded by the Green was an abhorrent demonstration of hate states, like California, in terms of what family, the evangelical Christian family that has no place in America.”) is going to be adopted or ratified for that owns Hobby Lobby, the museum Youngkin’s spokesperson told JI the curriculum, and whether Jews are aims “to invite all people to engage with that when crafting the proposal, the going to be left out, or even worse, kind the transformative power of the Bible.” campaign had consulted with Rabbi of attacked for a misunderstanding “What I loved about the museum — Yaakov Menken, managing director of our history,” Asher said, referring when I was in an exhibit, and I looked of the Coalition for Jewish Values, a to the California state ethnic studies around, there were folks from every conservative advocacy organization, curriculum whose early iterations possible faith persuasion, and none,” and Rabbi Gershon Litt, the Hillel were widely criticized by the Jewish Youngkin said. “There were folks director at the College of William and community for leaving out Jews and from all ages and ethnicities learning Mary. When contacted by JI, both targeting Israel. “We certainly would about the Bible, and for all kinds of rabbis said they were approached by like allies on the inside that have power reasons: curiosity, to deepen a religious the campaign after the fact and asked to with regards to these issues, to be understanding, it was really neat.” give a quote praising the proposal. more inclusive of the American Jewish Last week, Youngkin unveiled a plan “I just gave a quote about the narrative.” to combat antisemitism — his most legislation but I have never spoken with In contrast to other Virginia specific policy proposal to date, on any the campaign,” Litt said. Menken said a Republicans who have run far-right topic. He pledged to create a “Virginia campaign official called and gave him campaigns in recent years, Youngkin has Holocaust, Genocide and Anti-Semitism an overview: “I didn’t even look it over. tried to present his campaign as a big Advisory Commission” and work with She kind of ran it by me,” he noted. “I tent; he put out a statement recognizing the General Assembly to adopt the said, ‘That sounds like a great idea.’” Juneteenth and last week announced a International Holocaust Remembrance Other politically conservative Latinos for Youngkin coalition. Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of Jewish community leaders agree that “What’s been interesting is the antisemitism. The plan appears to be they are just now beginning to learn enthusiasm for this campaign. What modeled off a bill that passed in Texas about Youngkin, but some like what we’re doing is not just Republicans, it’s last week, which will adopt the IHRA they have seen so far. Kilberg believes actually Republicans and independents working definition of antisemitism and the Youngkin campaign is trying and a lot of Democrats,” Youngkin told create a state commission of the same to reach Jewish voters. “I have no JI. name as the one in Youngkin’s proposal. doubt [he] will,” Kilberg, a longtime Still, Youngkin is new to electoral “Antisemitism is on the rise, and Republican activist, knows Youngkin politics, and building a coalition is actually violence is as a result of, I think, from the business world, said. “He

7 shows sensitivity out of the box. I know supportive of that initiative and in that permanent, though a more recent order him better, I suspect, than most of kind of outreach, so for Republicans in in May ended the mask mandate and our co-religionists because we’re more my congregation, that’s a good sign — to eased restrictions. active and we’re Republicans and most have somebody who could be the leader He proposed offering a tax holiday to Jews are not.” of the Virginia Republican Party be on new small businesses “in order to give Asher, the Richmond rabbi, said their side for those issues,” said Asher. them a chance to get back on their feet that Youngkin “has a little bit of a Ultimately, Youngkin’s pitch comes because we need that job engine cranked reputation, especially within the back to his experience as an executive, back up,” Youngkin said. More broadly, business community and with regards which he says can help him run the state he criticized bureaucratic regulations in to his political interests and political more efficiently — a classic argument the state. “Our job creation engine has connections, to be someone who is for business leaders-turned-politicians, had a blanket on it, which has really supportive of tradition, of religious and one that McAuliffe himself has been a stack of challenging regulatory observance, and somebody who is going used. impositions,” argued Youngkin. “As a to protect religious liberties.” On the economy, he sounds like an business leader, there’s just no excuse Several Jewish Republicans old-school conservative, with the goal for it.” remarked to JI that Youngkin had of cutting red tape and bureaucracy. “The comprehensive nature of supported the Jewish community earlier His first step will be to “make sure the Virginia government doesn’t this year when the Republican Party of that any residual executive order really intimidate me, because I’ve run Virginia announced that voting in the that the governor has put in place something very big,” said Youngkin. statewide nominating convention would is removed immediately,” Youngkin “But I also recognize that I’m going to take place only on a Saturday, with no said. He pointed to an executive need a lot of people around me who exception for Shabbat-observant Jews. order that current Governor Ralph understand how to get things done The party eventually added a Friday Northam signed in January making in order to accomplish many of our afternoon voting period. “He was very some COVID-19 workplace standards goals.”♦

JUNE 23, 2021 Why Israel’s move to CENTCOM matters Moving Israel to the Pentagon’s Middle East command could lead to progress on the Abraham Accords, experts say

By Gabby Deutch

hen Israeli Defense Forces instance, Cyber Command, which (EUCOM). The announcement marked Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi defends national security interests in the culmination of years of unofficial W traveled to U.S. Central cyberspace, and Africa Command, which cooperation between Israel and Command (CENTCOM) headquarters strengthens the defense capabilities of CENTCOM, whose mission is to “build at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, African countries; and Space Command. cooperation among nations throughout Fla., yesterday, the visit marked the Before Trump’s announcement, Israel, the Middle East.” beginning of a new phase in a military despite its geographic location, had The main reason for the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Israel fallen under European Command, arrangement was the icy relationship that is already strong and extensive. which works closely with NATO on that historically existed between Israel “The current operational cooperation security issues in Europe. and its Arab neighbors. But as Israel has and the planned improvements agreed Kochavi’s visit marked the first begun cooperating with Persian Gulf during my visit attest to the mutual time the top IDF official had visited nations — including recent diplomatic commitment between CENTCOM and CENTCOM’s Tampa headquarters agreements with Bahrain and the the IDF to deal more effectively with since former President United Arab Emirates, and reported the diverse and emerging challenges,” announced in January, days before behind-the-scenes coordination with Kochavi said in a statement. leaving office, that Israel would Saudi Arabia — the U.S. made a change The U.S. military has 11 combatant soon fall under CENTCOM’s area of to its Unified Command Plan. commands, each of which has a specific responsibility, a shift from its current “The easing of tensions between geographic or functional mission. For status as part of European Command Israel and its Arab neighbors subsequent 8 to the Abraham Accords has provided and CENTCOM on issues of common responsibility.” a strategic opportunity for the United concern, but right now, of course, One of those threats is Iran. “You had States to align key partners against there is no full-time Israeli presence at a president [Trump] that’s very focused shared threats in the Middle East,” the CENTCOM,” said Michael Eisenstadt, on Iran. Israel is a primary player on Pentagon said when it announced the director of The Washington Institute for the ground pushing back against the change in January. Near East Policy’s Military and Security Iranians, which is in the overriding “We saw this as the next military Studies Program. interests of other CENTCOM members, step after the Abraham Accords,” said When Israel is integrated into such as Saudi, UAE, Bahrain and Michael Makovsky, president and CEO CENTCOM, the Israeli military will others,” Makovsky explained. “If your of the Jewish Institute for National have staff stationed in Tampa. “Having orientation is that the Iran threat is the Security of America (JINSA). a full-time military representative, or most important challenge in the region, Two months before the Trump a team of representatives there, first then it makes a lot of sense for this to administration’s policy change, JINSA of all, would enable Israel to see where happen.” authored a report urging the Pentagon they can contribute to CENTCOM’s Even before this change, U.S.-Israel to make such a change. Makovsky, one mission on a day-to-day basis, rather military cooperation was already of the report’s lead authors, told Jewish than coming over for visits and having a strong. Eisenstadt pointed out that in Insider that he first began to raise the set agenda,” like Kochavi did this week, some ways, this move just streamlines a subject privately in 2018. After the Eisenstadt explained. relationship that already exists. Abraham Accords were signed last year, He compared the situation to that of “The coordination is so extensive, “we also got wind that this was being college students who live off-campus, I’m not sure [the move to CENTCOM] seriously considered,” he said, leading removed from the center of university will, in practical terms, have a major his organization to publish the report. life. “When you live in town, you come impact,” Eisenstadt stated. The U.S. and Part of JINSA’s goal in advocating for to school for classes, and then you go Israel already “have this long-standing, the change is to push for an expansion back home, and you don’t have a full deep dialogue on Iran. But again, having of the Abraham Accords, potentially understanding of what’s going on on people there, it’s just always better.” even bringing a powerhouse like Saudi campus,” said Eisenstadt. “When you Advocating for Israel to become part Arabia into the diplomatic agreement live on campus, you have a much better of CENTCOM has not been a talking signed last year. “It could facilitate handle of those things, and you get to point for pro-Israel organizations other cooperation even with those countries know a lot more of the students” — and than JINSA, in part because the U.S.- [that the Israelis] don’t have diplomatic the same can be true of Israel’s new role Israel military relationship is already ties to,” Makovsky said. “Is it possible at CENTCOM, Eisenstadt suggested. a deeply ingrained part of U.S. defense the Saudis could be part of some “Once the Israelis have representatives infrastructure. “I don’t remember it ever military architecture that Israeli is part there, it will create opportunities for being something that people have been of, without having diplomatic ties? both official and informal networking discussing,” Makovsky said. “It seemed It’s possible, especially if you have the with representatives from other as though the reason why we came United States as a leader in all this.” countries, some of which Israel still to it was part of our general work on The change has not yet formally doesn’t have diplomatic relations with,” how to bolster the U.S.-Israel security happened — CENTCOM Commander he said. relationship, and we thought this was Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Even before the move, Israel was a way that would strengthen Israel’s Jr. told a Senate Armed Services edging closer to CENTCOM, with more military capabilities.” committee hearing in April that the collaboration happening between Makovsky said CENTCOM officials transition should take place by the fall Central Command and the IDF. did not reach out to JINSA to discuss — but Kochavi’s visit to the Pentagon McKenzie said in April that Israel was its report, although it garnered some and the Tampa headquarters this historically not part of CENTCOM attention on Capitol Hill late last year. week show that both Americans and “particularly because of strains between In December 2020, several Republican Israelis are already taking the change Egypt and Israel. We are now well past senators, led by Tom Cotton (R-AR), seriously. “I am absolutely confident that.” Former CENTCOM Commander introduced legislation to study the that we will be able to retain Israel’s Gen. Joseph Votel became the first transfer of Israel from EUCOM to military advantage,” McKenzie said at leader of Central Command to visit CENTCOM. Within a month, before the the hearing. Israel in 2018. bill even got a hearing, the legislation So what does the change mean for McKenzie told senators in April was moot. ♦ U.S.-Israel military cooperation? that the reason for moving Israel into “Military officers are often quick to CENTCOM was that “all of Israel’s acknowledge that there is very close and threats really emanate from the east, ongoing coordination between Israel which is in the CENTCOM area of

9 JUNE 23, 2021 Kathryn Garcia sounds note of cautious optimism at Williamsburg watch party The former sanitation commissioner is trailing Eric Adams but banking on her late surge

By Matthew Kassel

he nondescript venue, on a dead- Garcia, the former sanitation chief voters might be more inclined to pick as end street in post-industrial who did double duty as outgoing their second or third choice rather than T East Williamsburg, was in some Mayor Bill de Blasio’s food czar during their first. A recent ranking in Der Yid, ways a fitting location for the end of the pandemic, is a career civil servant the weekly newspaper of the majority a grueling campaign that until not who touts her extensive government Satmar sect in Williamsburg, suggests too long ago was widely dismissed as experience and deep understanding as much. In an article published on unviable. of the city’s vast and often unwieldy Friday, Garcia was listed as the third On Tuesday night, Kathryn Garcia, bureaucracy. The first-time candidate, choice behind Yang and Adams — a whose late-stage surge in the final who would be New York City’s first notable bump for the former sanitation months of New York City’s contentious female mayor, has pitched herself as commissioner, who edged out Scott mayoral race represents one of the a moderate and even-tempered crisis Stringer, the city comptroller. He had most remarkable turnarounds of any manager more interested in rolling previously held the spot until his candidate in the crowded Democratic up her sleeves and fixing intractable campaign was hobbled by allegations of primary, gathered with supporters at problems than engaging in partisan sexual impropriety. her sister’s event space in Brooklyn bickering. “This is going to be about not only after polls closed and early vote counts In her campaign kickoff video, the ones, but also about the twos and trickled in. released in December, Garcia warned, threes,” Garcia said on Tuesday evening. Eric Adams, the frontrunner and using typically no-nonsense language, “To be quite honest with you, we’re not Brooklyn borough president, had that the next mayor would inherit a going to know a whole lot more tonight already taken an early lead by the time “shitshow” as the city emerges from the than we know now, and it is going to Garcia took the stage at around 11 p.m. ravages of the pandemic. come down to opening up those ballots in a white jacket and gray T-shirt with Still, while experts praised her and making sure that every single New “Feminist” written in gold lettering. competence and acknowledged her Yorker’s voice is heard.” Andrew Yang, the former presidential reputation as a workhorse, few believed Annika Reno, Garcia’s deputy press candidate who failed to sustain an she was capable of pulling off an upset secretary, was equally positive in a initially promising campaign, was in the primary — until a surprise New brief interview with Jewish Insider at admitting defeat across the river at a York Times endorsement in early May the venue. “We’re feeling really good,” watch party in his home neighborhood that brought renewed attention to her she said, noting that the campaign of Hell’s Kitchen. candidacy and imbued her campaign wasn’t yet reading too deeply into the But Garcia made clear she had no with an air of institutional credibility. numbers while adding her expectation intention of conceding, despite being Suddenly, the mayoral hopeful that it could take weeks until a victor is in third place while trailing Adams by shot to the front of the pack, with declared as all the votes are tallied. about 10 points with 20% of the vote polls indicating that she was gaining Garcia, who was not made and the majority of precincts reporting momentum in the final stretch of the available for an interview, appeared in the first round of counting. race. in East Williamsburg after a long day “This campaign has been about Speaking to supporters last campaigning throughout the five overcoming expectations,” Garcia, 51, night, Garcia suggested that she was boroughs, beginning at a Department of told the modestly populated room, depending on that dynamic as the city Sanitation garage in Manhattan. “That sounding a note of cautious optimism. implements its first ranked-choice was really a sentimental moment,” “When I got into it, people said, ‘Well, election system, in which voters can said Reno. “A nice way to close out the I know you would be the best mayor, choose up to five candidates by order of campaign.” but I’m just not sure you can win.’ Or, preference. At the event, an intimate, low-key ‘Women haven’t ever won the race for The new system would seem to affair, campaign volunteers wore green mayor.’” benefit a candidate like Garcia, whom shirts emblazoned with the phrase 10 “Garcia Gets it Done” as attendees at Garcia’s shindig — their apparent is new to all of us. So we’ll see. I’ve munched on fried chicken, macaroni number-two choice for watch parties. tried to go through so many different and cheese, tater tots and gourmet Joe Lhota, the former chairman of the permutations. It’s mind-boggling.” sandwiches from Court Street Grocers. Metropolitan Transportation Authority Garcia, for her part, seemed eager to The soundtrack included thematically who ran unsuccessfully as a Republican put such considerations aside, at least appropriate numbers such as Curtis in the 2013 New York City mayoral race, for a couple of hours, after six months Mayfield’s “Move on Up,” Starship’s “We was also in attendance. He told JI he on the stump. “You know what?” she Built This City” and Prince’s “When has been supporting Garcia’s campaign said from the stage. “I think we need to Doves Cry,” whose lyrics Garcia wrote “right from the very beginning,” adding: party like it’s 1999.” on the walls of her childhood bedroom “The city right now is in need of good She disappeared for a few minutes in Park Slope. management.” after concluding her speech as she David Freedlander and Ross Barkan, “I wish it was a little closer,” Lhota changed into a more comfortable local political reporters who had both said of the early vote count, still outfit, then re-emerged to mingle with been denied entry to Adams’s event maintaining a hopeful outlook. “Let’s supporters. ♦ nearby at a Williamsburg dance club, see how the ranked choice works out. could be seen lingering on the sidelines You know, certainly, this whole thing

JUNE 25, 2021 The politically lonely progressive Zionists In a new book of essays, pro-Israel progressives tell the American left and conservative Zionists: we’re here, and we’re struggling

By Gabby Deutch

s rockets flew between Israel members of the Jewish community on both the political left and right. “The and Gaza last month, American to grapple, collectively, with the presumption from anti-Zionists in the A Jews watched with alarm as increasing difficulty of being a Zionist progressive world is that you cannot be anti-Israel rhetoric became the norm in progressive spaces. “Why should a good person and love Israel, and that’s in some left-wing circles. Accusations people continue to feel lonely when just wrong,” Creditor told Jewish Insider. of Israel’s alleged genocide, ethnic it’s a very obvious problem?” Creditor The problem, he argued, is an “anti- cleansing and apartheid spread widely, asked. Jewish fundamentalism at the fringes of even reaching the halls of Congress. The book contains four dozen essays, progressive politics,” such as the recent “It’s become a very common half of which are original; the rest were removal of an Israeli food truck from an experience for rabbis, and Jews of reprinted from other publications or immigrant food festival in Philadelphia. really any kind who lean to the left taken from speeches or sermons given “If it isn’t countered, it becomes the progressively, to find, at the very by the book’s contributors over the past core of the progressive movement.” The least, difficulties in progressive circles couple of years. Writers include rabbis, response should be “to show up as loud, with the love for Israel,” said Rabbi journalists, nonprofit professionals proud Jews,” Creditor said. Menachem Creditor, the Pearl and Ira and activists; organizations The idea to put together a volume Meyer Scholar-in-Residence at UJA- represented include the American of essays came after Creditor saw a Federation of New York. Among people Jewish Committee, the National Times of Israel blog post authored by like him — American Jews who support Council of Jewish Women and the pro- Jeremy Burton, executive director of the progressive policies but also support Israel LGBTQ organization A Wider Jewish Community Relations Council Israel — “the language of being lonely Bridge, along with major Reform and of Greater Boston. “The American left has been getting louder.” Conservative congregations around the has embraced moral maps that, while With Zioness founder Amanda country. they may provide helpful frameworks Berman, Creditor is the editor of Fault The essays contend with what it for understanding some of America’s Lines: Exploring the Complicated Place means to be a Jew who supports Israel foundational and ongoing issues, warp of Progressive American Jewish Zionism, and who also supports progressive understanding and discourse when a book of essays released this week. causes in the U.S., and to refute applied to other parts of the world,” The idea behind the book was to allow common misconceptions from people Burton wrote, in a post published the 11 day before Israel and Hamas agreed to disagree. We should not deem as anti- means, and there was no litmus test a cease-fire. Zionist someone who is a progressive for the authors, because I’m not really “I found it to be one of the most American voter who loves Israel. Within sure how to define the word to begin important statements today, about how Israel, there’s robust debate about what with,” noted Creditor. “I just know an American-left lens can get Israel building a better society looks like. how it generally lumps together people wrong,” said Creditor. “It sparked my That’s a healthy democracy,” Creditor who favor LGBTQ equality, combat the thinking that we could put together a explained. “The presumption that a American gun violence epidemic [and] collection relatively quickly because critical voice is treasonous is itself who stand for criminal justice reform.” this is not a new question.” incorrect.” Still, even though the editors did Creditor has a history of progressive As Creditor sees it, progressive not set ideological boundaries about activism, including as founder of Zionists have their pro-Israel bona fides who could contribute, the book mostly the Rabbis Against Gun Violence questioned by both the anti-Israel left falls within mainstream pro-Israel movement. But he sees himself first and some in the Jewish community. discourse. Numerous contributors and foremost as a Jewish educator — so “Progressive Jewish Zionists are not wrote about trips to Israel with AIPAC, while he hopes the book might inspire receiving the dignity they deserve in and one essay made the argument that progressive politicians to engage in progressive circles, and they’re not progressives should attend AIPAC’s dialogue on these topics, his desired receiving the dignity they deserve in annual policy conference. audience is the Jewish community. conservative Zionist circles,” he argued. “There were no submissions rejected “I want to support those who are “Certain conservative Zionist circles based on any institutional affiliation,” showing up with courage as Zionists in typically judge progressive Zionists said Creditor. After putting out the call progressive spaces, for them to feel the as naive or disloyal. Those are the for submissions, Creditor and Berman camaraderie and community of those same arguments, the same aspersions did not receive any from people who who are experiencing similar struggles,” that progressive Zionists receive from affiliated with more left-wing Israel- said Creditor. He also wants to remind progressive circles.” focused organizations like J Street or right-leaning pro-Israel advocates that Neither Creditor nor Berman define IfNotNow. progressives — including those who what the book means by “progressive,” The one requirement was that might criticize, but deeply love, the but Creditor argues that this is by contributors consider themselves Jewish state — are, in fact, Zionists. design. They did not want to limit Zionist. “This is about how to navigate “As a Jewish community, we have participation in the project. the world of progressive Zionism, not to stop alienating each other when we “I’m not quite sure what ‘progressive’ how to reject Zionism,” he noted. ♦

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