My Neighbor Barack

[yurbud]

Web Exclusive: My Neighbor, Barack

by Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf
Special to the Jewish Week

Not everyone can claim to be the neighbor of a Presidential candidate - I can, though, because I am.

Barack Obama's Chicago home is across the street from KAM Isaiah Israel, the Hyde Park synagogue at which I've served for 27 years. He spoke to our congregation as an Illinois state senator; more recently, his Secret Service agents have made use of our, shall we say, facilities.

But it's not neighborly instinct that's led me to support the Obama candidacy: I support Barack Obama because he stands for what I believe, what our tradition demands.

We sometimes forget, but an integral part of that tradition is dialogue and a willingness to disagree. Certainly many who call me their rabbi have taken political positions far from mine - just as Barack Obama's opinions have differed from those of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright...

http://thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c55_a5420/Editorial__Opinion/Opinion.html">FULL TEXT

[babylonsister]

1. That's a nice testimonial; thanks for finding it! nt

[Faux pas]

2. Thank you for posting this, it's nice to have commentary from

someone who can look beyond ethnic and racial differences.

[tridim]

3. I'm not sure it's such a good idea to tell everyone where Barack lives..

But thanks for posting the article.

[DesertFlower]

4. all you have to do is "google it". nt

[Ellen Forradalom]

5. Hey, I was Barack's neighbor too

When I was living off 54th street a few years ago. We shared the same polling place. I know this because I had to elbow my way past the media photographing the Obama family to vote.

[DesertFlower]

6. thank you for the post.

many of my jewish friends are concerned about obama especially since the news about his pastor.

[FloridaJudy]

7. Any bets

On how long it will take before someone starts demanding that this Rabbi's synagogue should have its tax-exempt status revoked?

Oy, Rebbe! You've just bought yourself a cartload of tsuris! Even though I happen to agree with you.

[GOPBasher]

8. Thanks for posting this. What a great article! n/t

[FrenchieCat]

9. Excellent!