Emanuel. Coming home
צילום: AFP
Rahm Emanuel not shoo-in with Chicago Jews
(Video) Former White House chief of staff has been active in Chicago's Jewish community for many years, but this may not translate into support during his campaign for mayor as some within community at odds with him over his Israel policy
VIDEO - Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel declared his candidacy for mayor of Chicago. In doing so, he perhaps thought he had the city's Jewish vote in his pocket. However, the local newspaper Chicago Tribune reported on Monday that Emanuel is not highly celebrated within the local Jewish community.
After many long months of reports and speculations, Emanuel declared his resignation from the White House over the weekend. Upon receiving President Barack Obama's blessing, Emanuel officially declared his candidacy in the race for mayor in the hopes to replace Chicago's longtime leader, Mayor Richard Daley.
Before becoming Obama's right-hand man in 2008, Emanuel was active in the Chicago Jewish community and attended an Orthodox synagogue in the city. His father, Benjamin Emanuel, was a highly-esteemed pediatrician who treated many of the community's children, garnering good standing in the community.
However, according to the Tribune's report, some of Chicago's Jewish community are leery about Emanuel, mainly because of his actions in Washington, first as a congressman and later as the White House chief of staff, that have left them wary of his politics.
There are questions about his positions on Israel," said Chesky Montrose, 32, who was wearing a skull cap and pushing one child in a stroller while keeping an eye on two others. "It's not logical that international policy would influence a race for mayor. But there is some resentment here, no doubt."
Emanuel tendered his candidacy on Friday, which also happened to be the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, which raised questions over the timing of his announcement for some of Chicago's Jews. "On yontif?" said Montrose, using the Yiddish term for a holiday.
Cheryl Lewin, Chicago co-chair of Americans for a Safe Israel, said that many Jews hoped Emanuel would leverage his position in the White House to support Israel, something she doesn't think came to fruition. "That has not happened, judging by the White House's heavy-handedness toward Israel," Lewin said.
A spokeswoman for Emanuel said Sunday he is a strong backer of Israel.
"Rahm's support for Israel is well known, and he had many supporters in the Jewish community when he represented a half-million Chicagoans in Congress. But he takes nothing for granted and will work to earn the support of every voter in communities across the city," said Lori Goldberg, Emanuel's spokeswoman.
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
