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Yet on the other hand, Mr. Carter is clearly an intelli- distinct obligation to exercise moral leadership. There gent and well-read man, who speaks out of a much have been occasions in American history when moral broader vision than Mr. Ford, who seems to have no issues did hinge upon the outcome of an election. particular design for this country at all. Mr. Carter There have been occasions when vital interests of the is a person of roots — as Truman and Kennedy were Jewish community were indeed inextricably bound — and they are roots deep enough to embrace blacks to the election of certain aspirants for national office. as well as whites, seriously religious people of many These issues have not always been recognized by the faiths as well as Southern Baptists. He has proven he Jewish community. On such occasions Jewish spokes- understands the issues, that he prefers human amelio- men not only have the right but the obligation to ration to technological proliferation. He proved in elucidate and draw attention to the issues. In these Georgia he could be a capable administrator. Mr. matters it is certainly to be anticipated that the per- Ford is a good administrator too, and in the first de- suasive influence of such leadership will not be in- bate proved he had the knowledge to make a first- significant. rate bureaucrat; this country needs*more than that. In a time when most groups have withdrawn into Care must be exercised lest this moral authority be themselves, when too many Americans seem to be- diluted. If Jewish issues are created where none exist lieve that the government doesn't really matter, a they will not be perceived even when real. When sub- President is required who can embrace the need for jective judgment is paraded as hard fact, the distinc- America's groups to fulfill themselves and at the tion between fact and opinion becomes irremediably same time elevate their sights to needs and causes blurred. When endorsements are commonplace they beyond their own. We American Jews need such a become vochedik (commonplace) and hence meaning- president too. We need someone to inspire our own less. One renowned Chassidic leader attributed his leaders to raise our sights beyond our own needs, great influence to the fact that he never demanded of and to see the inter-relationship between our destiny his Chassidim what he knew they would not fulfill. and every other American's, and every other Moral authority must be conserved and used with country's as well. I like Mr. Carter's preaching. I caution, else it becomes dissipated. think he will probably be able to administrate and Endorsements damage rabbinic credibility elevate at the same time. Mr. Ford, honest man that It is understandably difficult to differentiate between he is, has proven he cannot. an individual's public and personal roles. When is a rabbi to be understood as speaking qua spiritual Jimmy Carter is a very good risk for America and leader and when simply as a private citizen? Is the America's Jews. title ever used "for purposes of identification only"? Indeed, if the person is not speaking as a rabbi is any- Why i am against rabbinic endorsements one really interested in his social, economic, or philo- J. David Bleich sophical views? The perceiver's inability to distinguish between ex cathedra pronouncements and purely Another election is upon us and again Jewish spokes- personal expressions of preference can only cause men have begun a mad scramble to endorse this or confusion and result in a damaging loss of credibility. that candidate of their choosing. Public endorsement What is achieved when two advertisements endorsing of political candidates by Jewish clergymen is a rela- opposing candidates appear virtually side by side in tively new phenomenon and one which merits critical The New York Times, each bearing the names of examination. equally distinguished Jewish spokesmen, except the Let it be said at the outset that no one disputes any impression that if the election of either candidate individual's right to vote and to speak as his con- genuinely made a discernable difference in terms of science dictates. Priests, ministers and rabbis enjoy Jewish interests there would have developed a greater the same political rights as do other members of consensus of support? The implied proclamation of society. Taking the cloth does not entail casting aside such an interest where none exists must be perceived either the franchise or freedom of expression. But it as nought but politics as usual — but with rabbis as is not always politic to exercise every privilege. In pawns. some situations discretion is indeed the better part Damage to moral credibility is even more severe when of valor. political endorsement is followed by the conferment I view the current flurry of partisan political activity of honor and political favors upon those who engage with concern for many reasons. Clergymen have a in such activity. Kavod, glory and the public spotlight 157 are as much a means of bribery as cash. And while their views for whom American Jews should vote in there may be no basis for questioning the sincerity of presidential or other elections. The fact of the matter many of those who are accorded such recognition, is that there is no one who can really prevent such our constituents cannot be blamed for harboring a public debates in the Jewish or general press and that measure of cynicism. they really make very little difference in the decisions of either group. Interestingly enough but not so Befriend an official, but speak out on issues strangely, many of the American Jews who protest It is extremely important for the Jewish community most strongly when Israeli politicians offer political to develop ties with all government officials and advice to American Jews insist that American Jews aspirants to political office. There is no substitute for have a voice in Israel's political and security decisions, personal friendship in matters ofshtadlonus (repre- while those who tend to listen to the advice of Israeli sentation). It is necessary to have friends in every politicians about American politics are quite content political camp and to develop contacts over long to leave the decisions about Israel to the same politi- periods of time in order to be assured of entree, an cians as well. open door and a listening ear, when it becomes nec- essary to focus attention upon legitimate interests of If so, what is the so-called issue of dissent? In all the the Jewish community. But person-to-person involve- responses to your articles, the only one, so far, which ment on the part of communal workers is far dif- raises the real issue to which we ought to be address- ferent from public identification of prominent per- ing ourselves, is by Judah Shapiro, (Sh'ma 6/118) who sonalities with political parties or candidates. by Dunham's definition, is a truly "heroic" figure. Moreover, it is often more effective to take a posi- The reason, to paraphrase Shapiro, why many of us tion on an issue rather than on a person. When there are bothered is not that we question the survival and is a discernable difference between party platforms prosperity of Israel as one of our highest priorities, or candidates with regard to matters which concern but the presumption that individuals in Jerusalem us as Jews, such differences should be highlighted and have greater wisdom about how to dispose of funds, publicized as part of an on-going process of making raised from American Jews, to subsidize Jewish ed- our views known. Voters will make the necessary ucation and culture in the United States. connection at the ballot box. I do not quarrel with the fierce determination of the Most importantly, we firmly believe that the funda- citizens of Israel to govern their own affairs without mental concerns which play a crucial role in deter- imposed settlements and coercion from other govern- mining our votes are ones which should be shared by ments and communities but am puzzled by the ab- all members of a democratic society. We should de- surdity of a situation in which scores of millions of mand that such issues be above partisan debate and dollars are collected from Jews in the Diaspora, chan- be perceived in that manner by all candidates. This neled to Jerusalem and then sent back to these very can be accomplished most effectively only by main- same communities, on the basis of priorities and taining a non-partisan public-stance. If we adopt a evaluations made by people who often are not most partisan approach we will elicit a partisan response. qualified to make such decisions. If we place such issues in proper perspective we can I do not quarrel with the preoccupation of Israelis do much to create a climate of opinion in which all and various Zionist organizations with mobilizing good men will recognize the legitimacy of our con- maximum support to strengthen the demography, cerns. The issues which excite the Jewish community economy and security of Israel. I seriously question are non-negotiable and we must be vigilant in not per- the competence of these very same people to deter- mitting even the impression that they are subject to mine how best to allocate funds and personnel for the type of horse-trading which is common in the cultural and religious work in the Diaspora. political arena. Is it really seemly for institutions of higher Jewish learning, throughout the United States and Canada, ... but others say about the agency to scrounge for their meager budgets from philan- thropists who properly

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