MAY 14 2021 ♦ 3 SIVAN, 5781

THE WEEKLY PRINT Shelley Berkley sounds the alarm on antisemitism across the political spectrum; Michael Oren dives back into the 1970s; This NY congressman says Democratic socialism and support for don’t contradict; What explains Tom Carper’s recent approach on Israel?; and Seth Siegel’s next chapter

MAY 7, 2021 Shelley Berkley sounds the alarm on antisemitism across the political spectrum The former representative said the right ‘are as antisemitic as the Nazis’ and some left-wing Democrats ‘are just as hateful and antisemitic as the right’

By Marc Rod

ep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Sanctions movement that targets Israel. left the House for an unsuccessful bid for left politics nearly a decade Candidates aligned with the Democratic Senate, later joining Touro. R ago. In that time, she has seen Socialists of America, which supports BDS, Berkley said that right-wing antisemitism increasingly consume recently won control of the Democratic antisemitism “once was a fringe” but is elements of the political right — and Party apparatus in Berkley’s home state. “becoming far more mainstream on the is concerned that the same thing As co-chair of the JFNA committee that right,” pointing to incidents like the January could happen in her own party. In her leads the federations’ advocacy, education 6 Capitol riot and the 2017 Unite the Right new role as the co-chair of the Jewish and training efforts fighting antisemitism rally in Charlottesville, Va. Federations of North America’s security and securing Jewish institutions, Berkley “Now, members of the Republican [Party and antisemitism committee, she wants is attuned to the growing threats facing the in] Congress do not want to investigate that to address the issue head-on. community. insurrection. The only conclusion is that “If you look at the right, they are as Berkley said she plans to actively they agree with it,” Berkley said, “or they antisemitic as the Nazis,” Berkley, who oppose legislation like a recent bill from would be far more anxious to get to the represented Nevada’s first congressional Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) that would bottom of how that happened and ensure it district from 1999 to 2013, remarked in an place restrictions on U.S. aid and any BDS never happens again.” interview with Jewish Insider on Thursday. initiatives, as well as to support the National Berkley also reflected on the legacy of “When you look to the left, there are Security Grant Program and bills promoting another major figure in Nevada and pro- Democrats on the far left that are just as Holocaust education. Israel politics, Republican megadonor hateful and antisemitic as on the right.” “These issues are very important to , who died earlier this year. “It upsets and angers me that there is me,” Berkley said, adding that she sees her Berkley and Adelson had a long and a segment of the Democratic Party that is new position with JFNA as a complement complicated relationship — she was a high- not only anti-Israel, but from their rhetoric to her job as the chief executive officer and ranking lawyer for the casino mogul in the there is no other conclusion than they are senior provost of Touro University’s Western ‘90s, but the two split over a union dispute, antisemitic,” she said. “It worries me on the Division. and Adelson ultimately dedicated significant left that mainstream Democrats are not As a legislator, Berkley was actively resources to her political opponents. A 2012 taking a stand against the antisemitic, pro- involved in Jewish community issues and article during Berkley’s Senate run BDS rhetoric coming out of the left,” she was known as one of the most prominent described the two as “mortal foes.” said, referring to the Boycott, Divestment pro-Israel members of Congress. Berkley “One must give credit where credit is 1 due. Some of the issues that came to the step forward,” which she hopes is expanded the U.S.’s close alliance with Israel and create forefront under the Trump administration further. opportunities for Middle East peace. — moving the embassy to Jerusalem, which “Imagine that region in the world if there “President Biden has been in public I have always supported, and initiating was cooperation… Everyone will be better office at the forefront of foreign affairs for the Abraham Accords — I suspect came off for it,” Berkley said. “It makes absolutely his entire career and almost his entire life… from Sheldon,” Berkley said. “Sheldon and no sense to continue these petty hatreds He has assembled a great foreign policy Trump were very close allies. And I know and refuse to recognize Israel’s right to exist. team,” she said. “As our most reliable ally that Sheldon had Trump’s ear. So I applaud I don’t want to shock anybody in the Arab and the only democracy in the Middle East, those initiatives.” world, but Israel exists and it’s flourishing.” it is essential that Israel remain strong. And Berkley praised the Abraham Accords, The former congresswoman said she has while they are certainly self-sustaining, it is which normalized relations between Israel confidence that President Joe Biden and his the most important alliance in the world, the and several Arab states, as “a miraculous foreign policy team will continue to support American-Israeli relationship.” ♦

MAY 11, 2021 Michael Oren dives back into the 1970s The former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. has a new novel, ‘To All Who Call in Truth,’ set in the decade of his childhood

By Amy Spiro

or Michael Oren, the 1970s in “I grew up in a non-Jewish working-class remarkable line.” America represent a lost era. neighborhood. I encountered antisemitism The novel features cameo appearances F “The 1970s was the last moment pretty much regularly. It was a fact and from unnamed figures that directly when being Jewish in America was an feature of our lives.” echo some of the most dominant Jewish ethnicity,” the former Israeli ambassador His family came home one night to find personalities of the era: Elie Wiesel, Shlomo to the U.S. told Jewish Insider in a recent “dirty Jew” scrawled on their windows, Carlebach and Meir Kahane. interview. “We didn’t grow up thinking of and the synagogue he attended as a youth “For my generation, we had towering ourselves primarily or even secondarily as was blown up in 1971 in what remains an Jewish figures who everybody knew,” Oren white people — we were a separate ethnic unsolved mystery. recalled. “For better or for worse… but we group.” And while the book’s plot touches on don’t have these figures anymore. And I At the time, Oren asserts, “that ethnicity many elements that were a part of Oren’s knew them all.” had many expressions — of course, there’s a childhood, the novel, he said, is so much Their fleeting appearances are his way of religious expression, but it was our food, our more. “paying homage to them in this book. And I humor, our problems.” “The book is not just about the period didn’t want to use their real names because Oren himself grew up in West Orange, and not just about being Jewish,” he it’s not important for the book. It’s important N.J., in the 1970s, in what he describes as added. “It’s about a relationship, it’s about for what their influence is.” a “white-bread America.” The diplomat, obsession, it’s about betrayal, it’s about One scene also features the characters historian and author draws on his own violence. Ultimately I think it’s about hope.” in the novel meeting an unnamed Israeli experiences during that decade for his latest The book takes its title from a verse in ambassador to the U.S. — who would have novel, To All Who Call in Truth, which hits Psalms, which is repeated three times a day been Yitzhak Rabin at the time. That scene bookshelves today. in the traditional “Ashrei” prayer — and is echoes the real moment when a teenaged To All Who Call in Truth centers on emblazoned on the walls of the fictional Oren shook Rabin’s hand in 1970. Sandy Cooper, a junior high school guidance synagogue in Oren’s novel, as well as the real “If you read my book, Ally, it opens with counselor and football coach who finds one from his childhood: “The Lord is near to me shaking his hand,” Oren said. “And I was himself dragged into a twisted relationship all that call upon him, to all that call upon a starstruck 15-year-old kid.” and a mysterious murder case amid a him in truth.” Oren is better known for his nonfiction wave of racial and political turmoil in an “It’s a beautiful line,” Oren said. “It’s a works, including Ally: My Journey Across otherwise quiet town. fundamental article of faith: If you actually the American-Israeli Divide as well as Six “This is the world I grew up in,” Oren said. turn to God, God will be there. It’s a Days of War and Power, Faith and Fantasy.

2 But To All Who Call in Truth is far from his in Washington, Oren served in the Knesset barrages of rockets at Israel. “It also indicates first foray into fiction; in 2001, he published for four years, departing shortly before what the problematic effect of, everytime we’re Sand Devil, a series of novellas set in Israel’s became the first of four national elections going to have some kind of security issue Negev, in 2012 he released a novel, Reunion, in two years. And amid Israel’s ongoing with the Arabs, the government is liable to and last year he published a collection of political quagmire, Oren is not particularly fall.” short stories titled The Night Archer. optimistic. And despite the malaise plaguing the And he shows no sign of easing up A fifth election, he suggested, “would be Israeli political system, Oren wouldn’t rule on writing anytime soon. The COVID a win for Bibi [Netanyahu],” but a loss for out a return to the Knesset at some point in pandemic, he said, provided him with more the State of Israel. “The country desperately the future. time to sit at home and write, as well as to needs a government.” “I always say, if they call me to the flag reflect on the changing world. But the escalating violence in I’ll go to the flag,” he said. “Even if it means “It gave me more time,” he said, “and Jerusalem, he said, throws the possibility giving up publishing.” ♦ it enabled me to think more deeply about of a government that includes Arab political these issues, and the world that no longer parties into question. exists — that Jewish world that I grew up in “It seems to me that if the Arab parties that no longer exists.” are supporting riots in Jerusalem in which As the world begins to reopen, Oren policemen are getting seriously hurt, it’s is still focused on his writing projects — going to be really hard for someone like his next novel is written, and he has two Naftali Bennett to cooperate with them in nonfiction projects in the works as well as a government,” Oren suggested, speaking regular op-eds published in the media. to JI a day before violence in Israel’s capital Following his time as Israel’s ambassador escalated further and Hamas launched

MAY 13, 2021 This NY congressman says Democratic socialism and support for Israel don’t contradict Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who represents City’s Washington Heights neighborhood, has spent his tenure bringing Jews and Latinos together

By Gabby Deutch

s Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D- bridges.” musical, In the Heights, set to be released as NY) sees it, the Jewish and The 13th congressional district, a feature film this summer. A Dominican communities in his located in New York’s Washington Heights “Back in the ‘90s, when crack was diverse Manhattan district have a lot neighborhood, is more than half Hispanic, everywhere, and the city was in a tough in common. Both are diasporas: The but it also contains a sizable Jewish situation and crime was really rampant in Jewish community keeps close tabs on population centered around Yeshiva Washington Heights, the Jewish community happenings in Israel, while Dominicans University that developed when German stayed there, and built bonds and bridges remain closely connected to their Jewish refugees arrived in the area (which with the Dominican community to push Caribbean homeland. some called “Frankfurt on Hudson”) in and help reduce crime,” Espaillat noted. “Both are very family-oriented and the 1930s and 1940s. Members of that The congressman has stayed in the religious. Both, of course contribute back community included Henry Kissinger and neighborhood for the more than 50 years he home,” said Espaillat, who came to the sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who at has lived in the U.S. “Grew up on 153rd Street, U.S. from the Dominican Republic as an 92 still lives in the neighborhood. A New went to 181st, now I live on 215th Street. I’ve undocumented immigrant when he was York Times report from 2013 found that been moving up,” he joked. a child. “Of course, they love politics back Washington Heights’ Jewish population had When he was elected to Congress in home, they follow it like a national sport. increased by 144% in the previous decade, 2016, after 20 years in the New York State And as a result, I think because of those and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda Assembly and state Senate, Espaillat, similarities, we have been able to build immortalized the neighborhood in his first 66, joined a high-level effort to create 3 ties between the Jewish and Latino the southern border. Yet when asked about congressman’s work bridging divides communities. In a recent interview with the migrant surge that occurred in the early between Jewish and Latino communities Jewish Insider, Espaillat said that members days of the Biden administration, resulting has put him in a unique spot amid the city’s of the Latino-Jewish Congressional in some young people being separated changing politics. Caucus, of which he is the co-chair, are the from their families, he blamed Biden’s In recent years, the Democratic Socialists “guardians of that good relationship.” The predecessor. “The Trump administration of America has exercised its growing clout caucus will soon officially relaunch in the really left the entire system in shambles,” in city politics by urging candidates in New 117th Congress, with co-chairs Reps. Mario Espaillat argued. York to condemn Israel and pledge not to Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Debbie Wasserman After the results of the 2020 election travel to the Jewish state. “I haven’t felt any Schultz (D-FL), and Jaime Herrera Beutler showed that former President Donald pressure” from the DSA, said Espaillat, a (R-WA). Trump made inroads with Latino voters, member of the Congressional Progressive “Democrats and Republicans were not Democrats have focused on outreach to Caucus. But, he pointed out, he is not an talking to each other, and [we thought] maybe those communities. Espaillat cautioned outsider to the group: “One of my mentors as Latinos and Jews, they will find another that the Latino community is “very diverse in college was Michael Harrington, who was space to establish these connections,” said within itself, so it requires a special type of the founder of that movement,” Espaillat Dina Siegel Vann, who serves as director of messaging.” explained. “I know the philosophy and the the American Jewish Committee’s Arthur “You don’t communicate with a Cuban backbone of that movement, much of which and Rochelle Belfer Institute for Latino and the way you communicate with a Puerto I agree with, but I don’t think that being Latin American Affairs and had the initial Rican, or you don’t communicate with a there and supporting Israel, or being against idea for the caucus. Puerto Rican the way you communicate war and nuclear armaments — I don’t think The caucus’s work includes educating with a Dominican,” he explained. that that’s mutually exclusive. I think you other members of Congress about the Republicans have also seen the political can be both.” culture and history of each community. Vann expediency of winning over Latino voters — Espaillat “understands the importance noted that for Espaillat, a crucial part of that and Espaillat admits they’re doing a good job. of maintaining strong ties between the is the story of Sosúa. The coastal Dominican “I think the other side of the aisle has done a Hispanic and Jewish communities, and he city accepted about 1,000 Jewish refugees far better job of reaching out to what should does know that those two categories are from Europe in the 1930s and 1940s, in be, to us, a very accepting constituency, one not mutually exclusive,” said former Rep. part because the Dominican dictator Rafael that probably should embrace us because of Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who was one of Trujillo wanted to curry international favor values that we have as a party,” he explained. the Latino-Jewish Congressional Caucus’s after he massacred 25,000 Haitians in 1937. In New York, Republicans are looking original co-chairs when it was created in “It was controversial, because a dictator to expand their base by capitalizing on Gov. 2011. “From his first days in Congress and had opened the doors. But he saved 1,000 Andrew Cuomo’s recent scandals, including even before, he refused to let groups drive a Jews,” said Vann, who noted that Espaillat alleged instances of sexual harassment and wedge between our two communities.” “promoted the issue of Sosúa, the knowledge reports that his administration covered up Michael Miller, executive vice president of Sosúa in American society, as an example, information about COVID-19 nursing home and CEO of the Jewish Community of course, of human solidarity, but also the deaths. Espaillat called for Cuomo to resign Relations Council of New York, who leads connections between Latinos and Jews.” in March, along with nearly all of New York’s Israel trips for New York legislators, traveled It’s “these kinds of connections,” Espaillat congressional delegation. He would not say with Espaillat early in his career in the New said of Sosúa, that “make both communities whether he believes Democrats should put York State Assembly. work well with each other.” forth another candidate to challenge Cuomo “We all know that the DSA has their Another key issue for the caucus is if he seeks a fourth term in 2022. questionnaire for the promoting immigration reform, which has “That’s a decision that he will have to Council,” Miller told JI. “They ask two failed to progress in Congress in recent make,” said Espaillat, “and I think that’s questions: ‘Do you support BDS and if not, years. The members are “trying to ensure the decision that people will have to make. why not?’ And the other is, ‘Would you that the narrative of this country as a But right now, it’s really in the hands of the pledge not to travel to Israel on a trip such country of immigrants and recognizing the [attorney general, who is conducting an as the trip that the JCRC takes?’ And I think contributions of immigrants to this country,” investigation] and the state legislature.” that these trips are really crucial. You could Vann explained. “That is something very Espaillat also recently walked back hear it from everybody who’s ever traveled important to the caucus, and that brings his endorsement of Scott Stringer, a New on these trips or wants to travel on these both communities together.” York City mayoral candidate accused of trips, how much they want to see Israel with In Espaillat’s experience, coming to the sexual impropriety by a former campaign their own eyes, and not just to be educated U.S. as an immigrant “shapes you into being volunteer. A spokesperson for Espaillat told about Israel through the media or through someone that’s a little bit more sensitive JI that he would not comment further on the affinity groups, through advocacy groups.” about others,” and noted that he has worked topic. Espaillat said his strongest memory to reunite immigrant families separated at In Washington Heights, the from his trip to the region was the constant

4 stress of the looming possibility of violence. piece is one, and financing terrorist groups you can pick up the phone and go and talk “That is so intense, to wake up and live every is another.” to,” said Arturo Vargas, CEO of the National day and go to school and go to work and do Unlike other members of the Progressive Association of Latino Elected Officials, the things that you have to do with this tense Caucus, Espaillat did not suggest that which worked with the AJC to create the feeling around you that anything could Washington should move more quickly or Latino-Jewish Caucus. happen at any time. It’s very stressful,” he offer more concessions to Tehran. But he On Monday, after Hamas began firing noted. “The Jewish people are very resilient. suggested his stance is not at odds with rockets from Gaza into Israel, Espaillat They do a great job under very adverse progressives. “For peace to come, there must tweeted his support for Israel: “I condemn conditions, and I’m a strong supporter of be a disarmament, and that includes, of these rocket attacks on Israel, and all Israel.” course, the nuclear arsenal that Iran is trying violence against civilians.” ♦ Espaillat was not in Congress in 2015 to build,” Espaillat noted. “I think that’s very when the body voted on the nuclear progressive.” agreement with Iran, but he said he is urging The bonds that Espaillat has nurtured the Biden administration to renegotiate with the Jewish community for decades are certain aspects of the Joint Comprehensive designed to build a lasting trust between the Plan of Action. “I also think that this is a groups. great opportunity to strengthen the previous “The best outcome is the building of agreement and to include any elements or trust among leaders so that when there are provisions that were not included the first moments of conflict or potential conflict or time,” Espaillat said. “The ballistic missile misunderstanding, that there is somebody

MAY 10, 2021 What explains Tom Carper’s recent approach on Israel? Former Sen. Joe Lieberman told JI he was ‘puzzled’ by Carper voting with Warren and Sanders against preventing the U.S. Embassy being moved out of Jerusalem

By Matthew Kassel

en. Tom Carper (D-DE), a deeply Carper, 74, has indicated he is pursuing interview with Jewish Insider. “I just religious Christian who looks a new and more distinctive path on generally had the impression that he S forward to weekly Bible study, has Middle East issues. In early February, sort of had a mainstream, Democratic, frequently told friends and colleagues for example, Carper was only one pro-Israel position.” that he prays every night for a peaceful of three senators — alongside Sens. In March, Carper signed a letter end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth asking that the Biden administration Despite his personal hope for a Warren (D-MA) — who voted against a “urge the Israeli government to do two-state solution, however, the senior budget amendment preventing the U.S. more to help the Palestinians” with senator from Delaware has hardly government from moving its embassy vaccine distribution “in the occupied staked out a claim for himself as an outside Jerusalem or downgrading it territories.” And a week later, Carper active or outspoken voice in foreign to a mission. Carper’s vote came as a abstained — as he did the previous year policy circles over the years, focusing surprise in large part because he says — from signing onto a letter denouncing more on domestic issues like finance, he supports keeping the embassy in the International Criminal Court’s transportation, homeland security, Jerusalem. newly launched investigation of Israel infrastructure and the environment “I was puzzled when I saw that he for alleged war crimes. throughout two decades in the upper was with Warren and Sanders,” former Taken together, this trio of chamber. His most high-profile cause, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who was seemingly principled stands represents at the moment, is D.C. statehood. recently enlisted by Carper to help with a “troubling” direction for Carper, But over the past few months, the D.C. statehood effort, said in a recent according to David Margules, a member 5 of Delaware’s tight-knit pro-Israel that with a vote in favor of his decision? to Israel in 2020, and also co-sponsored community. Yet as Carper throws his Moreover, his critics point out, Carper a bill reaffirming U.S. policy in favor support behind “statements coming did not seem to hesitate in signing on to of a two-state solution and opposing from the fringe of the Democratic a letter in mid-April directly exhorting unilateral annexation of portions of the Party,” Margules was at pains to explain Biden to reenter the Iran nuclear deal — West Bank.” the senator’s motivations. “I’m really a clear demonstration of the senator’s The budget amendment in particular not quite sure, to be honest with you.” effort to influence the administration’s “was, like so many of the amendments Barry Kayne, a pro-Israel advocate foreign policy. that arise in that process, a non-binding in Delaware, was equally mystified. “I “I think he’s full of it in that regard,” messaging vehicle,” Williams told JI. can’t understand why he’s taken the said one source who has known Carper “There was legitimate concern among positions that he’s taken,” he told JI. “I for decades but asked for anonymity due some Hill offices and advocates that mean, it’s absolutely infuriating to me. to the sensitive nature of the discussion. the amendment’s language on embassy But I don’t have an explanation.” Other activists at the local and operations was intended to signal Such bewilderment underscores a national level suggested that Carper’s opposition to President Biden’s pledge sense of mounting frustration among recent actions cohere with longstanding to reopen a separate consulate serving some in the state who say they have convictions. “I think Carper is generally Palestinians that Trump harmfully long struggled to make sense of in the J Street camp,” said Gil Sloan, closed and incorporated into the Carper’s approach, which until recently a Democratic activist and Jewish embassy.” had been somewhat more muted. “Tom community member, referring to the In a lengthy email to JI, Carper has been a conundrum for me for over a left-leaning Israel . “So clarified his underlying philosophy decade,” Kayne added. “I’ve lobbied him I’m not surprised at Carper’s positions.” on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a for years. I’ve written to him relative Carper has always held more function of what he described as deeply to pro-Israel legislation or U.S.-Israel progressive foreign policy views, held religious views. legislation, and he’s always ambiguous.” according to Muqtedar Khan, a “As my colleagues can tell you, my In a statement to JI, a spokesperson professor of political science and favorite activity of the week is Bible for Carper defended the senator’s international relations at the University study. And every week, the Chaplain embassy vote as “a principled stance of Delaware who sits on the board of J will ask us how our faith should guide on the belief that President Joe Biden Street’s Delaware chapter, at least in us in the work we do here and at home, — like presidents before him — should contrast to Chris Coons, Delaware’s and he reminds us of one of the two have the ability to develop and pursue other Democratic senator who is well- greatest commandments — to love our his foreign policy agenda in any area liked among pro-Israel advocates and neighbors as ourselves, treating others of the world without limitations set by positions himself as a foreign policy as we’d want to be treated,” Carper said. Congress, especially just a couple of expert in Washington. “The Chaplain often invokes Matthew weeks after taking office.” But until now, Carper — who before 25, one of my favorite lines, which “The rationale for the senator’s he was senator served as Delaware’s lone paraphrased says ‘When I was hungry, vote was simply to ensure the Biden congressman and as governor for more did you feed me? When I was thirsty administration is not constrained in than a decade — has had few occasions did you give me a drink? When I was its ability to conduct its own foreign to make his views known, Khan argued. naked, did you clothe me? When I was policy,” the spokesperson added. “The U.S. terrain is changing,” he said a stranger in your land, did you take me “Additionally, at the time of the vote, the of Carper’s apparent shift leftward. “He in?’” Biden Administration had repeatedly would not have had opportunities like That was Carper’s way of made it clear that it had no intentions this in the past. If he had probably the emphasizing that he understands “the of moving the embassy from Jerusalem same opportunities 10 years ago, maybe Israeli-Palestinian conflict is no easy or altering the operations there, and he would have done it.” feat to address,” as he put it. “But in the Sen. Carper supports the decision not to “We believe that, like many of his process of working towards an equitable move the embassy.” Democratic colleagues, Sen. Carper’s resolution, we must never lose sight Lieberman said he was satisfied with record demonstrates a nuanced and of the people — on both sides of the Carper’s reasoning. “I was concerned principled position on the Israeli- conflict — that are affected every single about the vote, but I think it’s a good Palestinian conflict and American day,” Carper continued. “When it comes explanation, and I accept it,” he told JI. policy in the Middle East,” said Dylan to our foreign policy in the Middle East, Critics, though, seized on a number Williams, a senior vice president at J and the multitude of issues the United of holes in Carper’s logic as evidence Street. “He co-sponsored resolutions in States and our allies face and have to of an uneven approach. If Biden had support of normalization with the UAE consider, we must never lose sight of already committed to leaving the in the fall of 2020, has co-sponsored a the innocent men, women, and children embassy in Jerusalem, why not affirm bill authorizing full security assistance that are impacted by the decisions that

6 are made.” my view is that that perspective defies “more progressive positions on some Still, members of Delaware’s pro- historical experience.” social issues.” Israel community remain at odds with The senator, however, characterized On U.S.-Israel relations, the the senator. “He is a deeply religious man the agreement as “a good deal for senator made clear he was open to who feels a spiritual connection as well our country, our allies, and Israel, dialogue while firmly establishing his as a kinship based on Israel’s democracy,” one of our closest allies — especially approach. “I believe the Margules acknowledged. But while he when the alternative to this deal was should be committed to the pursuit concedes that Carper is “committed increased tensions, the possibility of of comprehensive, just and lasting to Israel’s security,” Margules believes Iran acquiring nuclear arms, and maybe peace in the Middle East and that must the senator is ultimately misguided. even war.” include supporting and working closely “He has fundamental views about Carper maintains widespread with Israel, which is our strongest Israel’s security that I just think are not support throughout the state, according ally in the region, and a nation I’ve historically justified.” to recent polling. Having faced a had the privilege to have visited as a Carper, who has visited Israel several progressive challenger last cycle, he congressman, a governor, and a U.S. times throughout his career in public prevailed with nearly 65% of the vote, senator,” he said. office, sees things differently. “Israel continuing his statewide winning “Additionally, I am proud to be a and the United States are connected streak of 15 straight elections. firm supporter of a two-state solution by a shared set of democratic values “He is very well respected in that enables Palestinians and Israelis to and I’m proud to have a voting record Delaware,” said Jack Markell, the live in peace, security and prosperity,” that clearly shows my commitment to state’s former governor. “He’s an Carper added. “Not only would this Israel’s security and prosperity,” he told extraordinarily hard-working guy. I outcome give the Palestinian people JI. mean, he is everywhere, and he is great a place to govern and call home, but it Such policy disagreements have also about staying in touch with people. He would also provide Israel with greater arisen as Carper pushes for a negotiated does his homework. He understands security and strengthen regional return to the Iran nuclear deal. “He was the issues, and you can see that this stability.” in one of the first, if not the first, U.S. electoral record. He’s been very easily But for some, Carper’s views have congressional delegations that went reelected every time.” only become more elusive. “He’s to Vietnam, and he often talks about Joe Pitka, a professor emeritus at the always made himself available to the this as an example of how entrenched University of Delaware who specializes community, but when the rubber meets enemies can become friends and have in local politics, said that “as a the road, he doesn’t walk the walk a constructive relationship,” Margules moderate liberal Democrat,” Carper can for us,” Kayne said. “I just don’t get it. said of Carper, who is a former naval “appeal to a broad swath of Delaware’s When we go to lobby him, I’m usually aviator. “If we support the moderates, generally pro-business voters.” The chosen as the person to handle the then the moderates will have a greater longtime senator, he added, “combines conversation, as much as I don’t want capacity to influence their societies a successful mix of moderate policy to, because every year I come up empty- in a constructive fashion. Personally, positions on economic issues” with handed. But we keep at it.” ♦

MAY 7, 2021 Seth Siegel’s next chapter At a time when some might look to retire, Seth Siegel, known for his expertise on water sustainability, is taking on his next challenge

By Melissa Weiss

eth Siegel has been many things powered Israeli irrigation system. Siegel is a veteran of the branding in his life: a CEO, a Broadway and It’s the natural next step for Siegel, world and a serial entrepreneur, known S television producer, an author. 67, who has spent the last six years until a handful of years ago for not Now he’s taking on a new role: chief entrenched in the world of water only his business acumen, but also his sustainability officer at N-Drip, the sustainability, with an eye toward activism and philanthropy. A Cornell manufacturer of a pioneering gravity- Israel’s progress on the issue. University graduate, he chaired the 7 university Hillel’s board of trustees, and “Now first of all, I’m kind of at keep playing until they get it right”) was a board member of the Abraham retirement age,” he said. “Second of all, and Alexandre Dumas (“I have finished Joshua Heschel School, a pluralistic day last time I had an employer, I was 27 or my play, now all I have to do is write it school in Manhattan, for more than 30 28 years old. So now it’s been a while down”). years. His activism with AIPAC brought since I had a boss. And third of all, you Owing to Siegel’s personal interests, him to Israel many times. know, it’s seven time zones away from the chapter titled “Our Fragile World” “In the process of trying to become where I live.” includes sections on technology, water really expert about Israel, you can’t After giving more thought to the and the environment. There are also really do that without understanding idea, Siegel eventually put aside his a number of quotes from Jewish and the geography and the environmental reservations and signed on. Israeli figures, including the Baal Shem challenges of the region,” Siegel told N-Drip may well change the world, Tov, Menachem Begin and Golda Meir. Jewish Insider. “And that led me to and if it does, some of the credit will go Siegel is considering future editions, becoming smart about water scarcity, to Siegel, who now facilitates meetings including one focused on Jewish and that in turn led me to spend a lot with government officials, multilateral speakers and quotes. of deep reading about water scarcity organizations and global corporations “It’s an intellectual biography globally.” in an effort to scale up the company’s in a strange way, because these are Siegel, who is based in New York, work around the globe. N-Drip has the quotations that have formed the interviewed more than 200 people for already set up gravity-powered basis, the DNA of my worldview, and his first book, Let There Be Water: Israel’s irrigation systems in Australia, Israel, propelled me and what I’ve done in life,” Solution for a Water-Starved World, the U.S. and the southern African nation he said. “It’s a way of looking at who I released in 2015. One of them was Uri of eSwatini (Swaziland). am as well, and not just for others, but Shani, a Hebrew University professor For someone who admits to be for myself, [I can] look back and think, and a former head of Israel’s Water approaching retirement age, Siegel well, I remember when I clicked on Authority. shows no sign of considering a typical this quotation, how it impacted me, Siegel and Shani crossed paths retirement. After the success of his first I remember how it helped shape my again after the book’s release, when two books (the second, Troubled Water: thinking about things, or how it helped both were speaking at an event in What’s Wrong with What We Drink, was me to look at the world in a different Milwaukee. Shani tried to pitch him on released in 2019), both focused on water way.” ♦ an idea for his next book. “[Shani] says, and technology, he wrote a third book, ‘I’ve invented something that’s gonna one that is markedly different from change the world.’ I said, ‘Well, that’s his prior writings but has been in the pretty good. That’s a big statement,’” works for many years. That book, Other Siegel recalled. People’s Words: Wisdom for an Inspired Israel has long been a global leader in and Productive Life, hit stores this week. drip-water irrigation, the technological When Siegel was a teenager, he innovation that revolutionized farming began collecting notable quotations in arid and drought-plagued regions. But wherever he saw them: in books or it is not without its downsides; namely, in the text of news articles, scribbled the significant expense of installation, or posted on walls. What started as as well as the amount of energy used a collection of scraps of paper with in order to power the systems. Because a few sentences scribbled down and Shani’s systems instead rely on gravity, shoved into a drawer morphed into a they are more energy efficient and can collection, typed onto index cards, of cover larger expanses of land, providing thousands of thoughts, words of advice a higher yield for the work. and ruminations. Siegel first joined Shani’s N-Drip as The book itself is a collection broken an investor. His relationship with the down by category: the chapter “Taking company evolved to a point of daily Charge,” for example, includes quotes communication with N-Drip executives, from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel giving advice and facilitating (“In a free society, some are guilty, connections made originally during his but all are responsible”) and Princess years of research for his books. When Diana (“I want to do, not just to be”), he was offered the opportunity to come while the “Arts and Entertainment” on board as an employee, Siegel was chapter features such voices as tennis unsure how to proceed. legend Billie Jean King (“Champions

8