Speaking to members of the Jewish community across the nation on Sunday night, prominent U.S. Senate candidate* Allyson Schwartz explained that, "To be a strong Jewish community here and across the world, we ought to be voting for John Kerry and John Edwards."
Hosted by Penn Hillel and accompanied by over 40 Penn students, Schwartz spoke as one of several public figures participating in a national phone conference intended to reach out to Jewish Democrats.
Other notable speakers included senators Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Congressman Howard Breman (D-Calif.), Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz and actress Natalie Portman, all of whom spoke on behalf of Kerry's commitment to Israel and the Jewish people.
However, due to technical difficulties, students tuning in at Hillel missed out on parts of several commentaries, including Lieberman's.
Still, resounding consensus among the speakers was that, while Bush's actions in support of Israel should not be denigrated, Kerry stands equally strong, if not stronger, for Israel.
Conference call participants also noted that Kerry offers a future more consistent with Jewish concerns on other issues, including the separation of church and state, environmental protection, limits on nuclear weapons and movement toward international peace and security.
Dershowitz expressed his excitement over Kerry's general stance, which illustrates an ideal union between being "strongly pro-Israel and strongly progressive."
Pennsylvania Jewish Outreach Coordinator Mike Diamond reiterated that Kerry supports the issues important to the Jewish community on an international level, while also supporting important social issues domestically.
"Kerry has been reaching out to, and voting flawlessly in support of, the Jewish community for the past 20 years," Diamond added. "His commitment has been consistent."
Schwartz concluded her broadcasted comments by extending her wishes for a "more secure world and future for all of us."
College freshman Max Schapiro shared this hope, expressing his excitement about participating in an event that brought "statesmen, celebrities and students across the nation together to express their passion and support for Israel."
Emphasizing that the future of Israel is something which extends beyond party lines, Pro-Israel Activism Committee member and College junior Yael May commented that the Democrats' grassroots outreach on Sunday night was a good example of both parties' commendable efforts to speak to Jewish concerns.
"We are lucky to be in a position where, regardless of which party wins, we will have a president whose policies support Israel," May said.
Correction: Allyson Schwartz was identified as a Senate candidate. In fact, she is running for the House of Representatives.
