In the Public Sphere
Legal impediments to
Jewish participation in the political, social,
and economic life of the country largely
ended once Jews received political rights
in Maryland in
1826. By then, Jews had turned their attention
in new directions, seeking to assure their
inclusion in all facets of American life
and advocating on behalf of oppressed co-religionists
abroad. They participated fully in the political
life of the nation, advocated on behalf of
causes important to them as Jews, and sometimes
held out the promise of the “Jewish
vote” in an effort to garner political
support. Issues that have traditionally stood
at the top of the Jewish community’s political
agenda include opposition to anti-Semitism,
extension of civil rights, separation of
church and state, the security of the State
of Israel, and the welfare of Jews around
the world.
|
This issue of the
Yiddish socialist daily, the Forward,
endorsed Roosevelt for reelection as “Labor’s
Choice” on the cover of its November
1, 1936, rotogravure section. In 1936,
Roosevelt garnered a
whopping 85 percent of the Jewish vote.
"Roosevelt
Labor's Choice"
New York, Forward, November
1, 1936
Serial and Government
Publications Division |
Secretary of the Board of
Delegates of American Israelites Myer S.
Isaacs wrote to Lincoln on the eve of the
presidential election, October 26, 1864,
that “the Jewish vote does not exist.“ Isaacs
nevertheless assures Lincoln that “the
majority of Israelite citizens must concur
in the attachment for the Union and a determination
to leave no means untried to maintain its
honor.”
|
|
|
|
Myer
S. Isaacs (1841-1904) to
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865).
Holograph letter, October 26, 1864.
Abraham Lincoln Papers.
Manuscript Division |
English born Isachar
Zacharie was President Lincoln's chiropodist, political
confidante, and special emissary. Among other
things, Zacharie involved himself in helping
Abraham Lincoln secure the Jewish vote. In
a letter to Lincoln on November 3, 1864,
Zacharie wrote: "I just returned to this
city after a trip of nine days through Pennsylvania
and New York state, and I am happy to inform
you, that I am satisfied that I have done
much good, I now think all is Right . . .
. As regards the Isrelites [sic]--with
but few Exceptions, they will vote for you.
. . . I understand them well, and have taken
the precaution--to see that they do as they
have promised--I have secured good and trustworthy
men to--attend on them on Election Day--My
Men have been all the week seeing that their
masses are properly Registered--so that all
will go right on the 8th ins."
|
|
|
|
Isachar
Zacharie (1827-1900) to Abraham Lincoln.
Holograph letter, November 3, 1864.
Abraham Lincoln Papers.
Manuscript Division |
Sources:Library
of Congress
|
