Foundation For Ethnic Understanding

Pushing A Jewish Caucus

By James D. Besser
Washington Correspondent
2/4/2005

Has the time come for a formal Jewish caucus in Congress? That could be one underlying theme in a Capitol Hill event this week honoring the new members of the various “ethnic caucuses.”

The event is being sponsored by The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, whose founder and president, Rabbi Marc Schneier, said that one reason for his group’s growing focus on ethnic relations inside the capital is a rising concern that Jewish lawmakers — not part of a formal organization — may be excluded from the activities of other ethnic coalitions that play a growing role in Congress.

On Wednesday, Rabbi Schneier’s group hosted a reception honoring the 12 new lawmakers who are members of ethnic minority groups, including this year’s political superstar, Sen. Barak Obama (D-Ill.). The group included two new Jewish members, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.).

The black and Hispanic caucuses have more than doubled in the past 20 years, Rabbi Schneier said, changing the face of Congress.

“In another 20 years, minority delegations will be one-quarter to one-third of Congress,” he said.

The growing Hispanic, Asian-Pacific and black caucuses increasingly work with each other on key issues, Rabbi Schneier said. But while Jewish members generally have good working relations with their colleagues from other ethnic groups, the Jewish delegation as a body is often excluded from the growing number of joint efforts and activities, according to the rabbi.

“Making sure the Jewish congressional delegation is part of these trans-caucus activities is one reason we came down to Washington,” Rabbi Schneier said.

But he admits strong continuing resistance to the idea of a formal Jewish caucus.

Jewish members for years have resisted the idea of a formal caucus, believing their informal contacts with each other were more effective. There were worries as well that an official organization would reinforce bigoted claims of excessive Jewish influence over national policy.

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Copyright © 2005 The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding

The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp.
We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders of ethnic communities is
the most effective path toward the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding.

1 East 93rd Street, Suite #1C
New York, New York, 10128
ffeu@ffeu.org
(Tel) 917-492-2538, (Fax) 917-492-2560

		Pushing A Jewish Caucus By James D. Besser Washington Correspondent 2/4/2005 Has the time come for a formal Jewish caucus in Congress? That could be one underlying theme in a Capitol Hill event this week honoring the new members of the various “ethnic caucuses.” The event is being sponsored by The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, whose founder and president, Rabbi Marc Schneier, said that one reason for his group’s growing focus on ethnic relations inside the capital is a rising concern that Jewish lawmakers — not part of a formal organization — may be excluded from the activities of other ethnic coalitions that play a growing role in Congress. On Wednesday, Rabbi Schneier’s group hosted a reception honoring the 12 new lawmakers who are members of ethnic minority groups, including this year’s political superstar, Sen. Barak Obama (D-Ill.). The group included two new Jewish members, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.). The black and Hispanic caucuses have more than doubled in the past 20 years, Rabbi Schneier said, changing the face of Congress. “In another 20 years, minority delegations will be one-quarter to one-third of Congress,” he said. The growing Hispanic, Asian-Pacific and black caucuses increasingly work with each other on key issues, Rabbi Schneier said. But while Jewish members generally have good working relations with their colleagues from other ethnic groups, the Jewish delegation as a body is often excluded from the growing number of joint efforts and activities, according to the rabbi. “Making sure the Jewish congressional delegation is part of these trans-caucus activities is one reason we came down to Washington,” Rabbi Schneier said. But he admits strong continuing resistance to the idea of a formal Jewish caucus. Jewish members for years have resisted the idea of a formal caucus, believing their informal contacts with each other were more effective. There were worries as well that an official organization would reinforce bigoted claims of excessive Jewish influence over national policy. # # # Copyright © 2005 The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp. We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders of ethnic communities is the most effective path toward the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding. 1 East 93rd Street, Suite #1C New York, New York, 10128 ffeu@ffeu.org (Tel) 917-492-2538, (Fax) 917-492-2560