Dr. Ellen Cannon, a professor of Women’s Studies and Political Science at Northeastern Illinois University, spoke at Greater Hartford JCC (here) on September 22nd. I took over 8 pages of written notes. I tried to compile my thoughts into this outline. Comment on your thoughts, I want to eventually summarize this lecture.

    About Dr. Cannon

  1. VP of the Midwest American Jewish Council
  2. Chair of the Steinhart Internship Program
  3. Esther Award Board member
  4. Member of the North American Jewish Forum
  5. Network Political Analyst for PBS/NPR
  6. 250 speeches a year, 30 years in Political Science
    How Jews Use Public Voice to Strengthen World Jewry

  1. Highly Charged Jewish Community
  2. Demonizing those who disagree is not helping either sides cause
  3. Jews must be in both parties, to protect our safety
  4. Jews tend to cycle parties in 70 year periods.
  5. 1860 to the early 30’s mostly Republican
  6. 1930’s to present Jews haves tuck with Democrats
  7. This year, anything can happen
  8. Wall Street Journals Poll on September 21st puts the polls at 69% democrat, 19% Republican, and 3% for Nader.
  9. It is mostly the Northwest US Jewry voting for Nader
  10. American Jews believe that they are the “voice of strong Israel.”
  11. Truth is; for Jews in the USA to have power, there must be an Israel
  12. We can take our strength as Jews to the polls. Our vote is for Jewish survival
    Remember, Jews only account for about 1.5% of the American population

  1. In the 40’s the average Jewish family had a size of 3.9-4.1
  2. Today the average size is somewhere around 1.2, where Orthodox Jews have an average of 4.3 and the Haredi’s, 9.
  3. Yet, American Jewry is the most civically minded group in the country.
    Where Can We Find Support

  1. Evangelical Christians are the biggest non-Jewish supporters of Israel.
  2. They are also a huge voting power base
  3. They believe that by there not being an Israel, the Messiah’s second coming will not happen.
  4. They are mostly Republican, and if Bush were to be anti-Israel they would not vote Democrat, more likely, they would just stay home.
  5. It is the Hispanic/Latino community that will decide this election.
  6. They marry young and their average family size is 5.1 kids.
  7. In 18-20 years they will account for 25% of the voters.
    Problems Israel and Jewry is facing.

  1. Of the 69-75% of Jews voting Democrat, only 15% find Israel critical to the elections
  2. One of the large parts of assimilation, and Jewish illiteracy is the lack of significance given to Israel’s survival
  3. In 9 years, Israel will have an Arab majority
  4. Jewish adults under the age of 35 have lost the sense of community that for centuries helped Jews survive.
  5. 52% of Jewish males under 35 are Independents.
  6. They are being courted forcefully by the Republican Party.
  7. American Jewish women are focused on domestic concerns
  8. Pro Choice, equal access, day-care, parent’s rights
  9. Most know nothing about Middle Eastern affairs.
  10. Soviet jews who came to America are now 25 years old, and mostly voting republican
  11. Fear big government because of their youth.
  12. Realize that opportunity is hard work
  13. Want a government that shows strength internationally.
    2 Political Voices of American Jewry

  1. Traditional Jewish Political Voice (12%)
  2. Follow in the history of 2500 years of Jewish Behavior, pragmatic accommodation.
  3. Jews are known to finance and empower government; use their accomplishments to benefit their country
  4. Follow Halkhic Law; Israel is a given in their support
  5. Want to see moral values of religion in the public
  6. Understand historic anti-Semitism; they have survived it
  7. Almost 100% voting for Bush.
  8. Jewish Business; Moderate Politics
  9. These are not very religious Jews, but they are deeply Pro-Israel
  10. Support men like Senator Norman Coleman (R-MN)
  11. They want a strong military, less gov’t, often libertarian, strong on fiscal responsibility
  12. A very critical voice on the war in Iraq; Want clarity on Iraq.
  13. Complain about Bush’s presidency; largest deficity ever, increased class polarity, more anti-Semitism.
  14. Like some of the moderate republicans as well: McCain, Luger
  15. Come out strong on November 2nd.
    The Candidates Foreign Policy Objectives – Israel

  1. George W. Bush
  2. 9-11 was a moment that changed the United States, and gave Bush the allowance to align with Sharon.
  3. There are no boundaries on the War on Terror; Bush and Sharon are fighting the same war. Israel’s War is the US’ War.
  4. Before 9/11, there was little concern about foreign policy; now foreign policy is driving the election.
  5. Doctrine of Pre-emption is what drives Bush’s War on Terror.
  6. Every democracy has a right to defend itself against Terror; it must be able to use a response of force to defend itself
  7. Israel is the expert on urban-guerilla warfare (the new war tactic), America needs Israelis generals help to prepare its troops.
  8. America/Israel are the Beacon of Light. It is our responsibility to transport democracy to the world
  9. Whether it is by force or regime change, we must reduce terrorist recruitment through democratic installations.
  10. Iraq is an example of a new Middle East.
  11. Next focus is on Iran, it, and its weapon program are a threat to World Peace.
  12. For a full documentary on the Republic Foreign Policy see, Chuck Hagel’s article in the July/August Issue of Foreign Affairs (
    ForeignAffairs.org    )

  13. John Kerry
  14. Support for Israel is based on 60 years of positive relations between Israel and the Democratic Party
  15. Began with Harry Truman and continued through Bill Clinton’s assertiveness at Oslo 1 and 2.
  16. Oslo was when we learned that there is no partner in peace.
  17. There is a fair partner in the Peace Plan, it is not Arafat, but we must find him.
  18. Realize that attempting to export Democratic values where it hasn’t worked before, will not work by using force.
  19. Build an multinational alliance with our neighbours in peace
  20. This alliance will be trained to contain Iraq with multinational support and control; not just the Americans.
  21. The UN and World Court could still adapt itself and be a new force to protect the 21st Century.
  22. We have learned some new lessons during our stay in Iraq
  23. work on intelligence gathering
  24. There is a growing sense of anti-Americanism in the world due to our Imperialist tendencies.
  25. Muslims are uncomfortable about America’s support for Israel.
  26. Understand the security concerns of Israel and its responsibility to protect is own people. Supports the security fence (see: Kerry on the fence)
  27. Yet, there must remain the protection of Palestinian Dignity and a 2-state solution
  28. Together we must reduce anti-Americanism and anti-Zionism.
  29. For a full documentary on the Democratic Foreign Policy see, Samuel R. Berger’s article in the May/June 2004 Issue of Foreign Affairs (
    ForeignAffairs.org    )
    The 9-11 Report – The Jewish Component

  1. A must read for all people involved in Judaism, make sure to look up many of the footnotes through Google.
  2. Another terrorist attack is very likely…
  3. One of the 9-11 suggestions is that growing anti-Americanism by Muslims is inseparable from America’s support for Israel
  4. Sheikh Mohammed (the ‘CEO’ of al Qaeda) wanted 9-11 to be an attack on Israel but Osama bin Laden said it was directly against Western Values.
  5. Even if the US were to begin to support Arab governments there would be no change of Muslim anti-Americanism. Neither would moving away from supporting Israel. (read Malcolm Holnlein)
    Role of the Media

  1. Absence of clarity is painful to watch for the Jewish people
  2. Pat Buchanan, outspoken against Israel, get’s unbalanced amount of airtime
  3. Really need a Jewish Television network
  4. Recent examples include the Dan Rather fraudulent papers acquired last week (9/20)
  5. Media gives clarity and time to what sells ads, not what is real content
    Various notes

  1. Interesting that Sudan, who has committed genocide in Darfour, has a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council
  2. Growing support from Israel from other democratic countries
  3. India has become an outspoken friend of Israel
  4. Interesting reads below:
  5. Sam Berger –writes for Foreign Affairs Magazine
  6. John Kerry’s NYU Speech from 9/20 (Kerry’s Speech)