Did Israel determine the US presidential election?
Part 2: The Pennsylvania Jewish Vote
By Bonnie K. Goodman, BA, MLIS
In Pennsylvania, a pivotal swing state, 75% of Jews cast their votes in favor of Harris. GBAO highlighted that Harris’s strong showing with Jewish voters is “especially significant” given the substantial sums. American Jewish journalist Dana Bash, who is a longtime CNN contributor, also recognized the significance of the Jewish vote in Pennsylvania in her article, “In battleground Pennsylvania, undecided Jewish voters could help swing the election.” The Jewish electorate, while relatively small, holds considerable influence in swing states like Pennsylvania, which is home to over 400,000 Jewish voters.
Democratic activists worked to persuade Jewish voters to back Kamala Harris, the US Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate, even as the number of undecided Jewish voters continues to rise. Amanda Berman, founder of the Zioness Action Fund, highlighted the remarkable rise in undecided Jewish voters, especially in the wake of events following October 7. Berman’s group is actively advocating for the achievements of the Biden-Harris administration, emphasizing the significant financial support for Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, while also pointing out that Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, opposed a supplemental bill that allocated funds for Israel. The Jewish Democratic Council of America is actively rallying support for Harris, contending that her leadership would benefit both Israel and the American Jewish community while asserting that Trump poses a significant threat.[1]
Republicans attempted to strategically engage Jewish voters, leveraging insights from the Republican Jewish Coalition to effectively reach this demographic. The RNC has dedicated years to compiling data on Jewish voters in pivotal states, concentrating on topics like Israel, antisemitism, and economic concerns. Former Florida Representative Peter Deutsch, a Trump supporter, actively campaigned in Pennsylvania, arguing that Harris lacks the reliability needed to support Israel. Democrats engaged Jewish voters by highlighting Trump’s rhetoric and history, which included his connections to a White supremacist and his remarks suggesting scrutinization of Jews.
However, the Republican Jewish Coalition and others within the party seem to prioritize discrediting Harris over persuading voters of Trump’s merits as a candidate. The coalition allocated a remarkable $15 million budget for television and digital advertisements that connect Harris to progressive lawmakers critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza while also accusing the Biden administration of being overly lenient toward Iran. Jewish voters who remained undecided continue to grapple with their choice for the upcoming election. The massacre in Israel on October 7, along with the resulting anxiety and rise in antisemitism, significantly contributes to their ongoing indecision.[2]
The looming election was causing anxiety among members of the Philadelphia Jewish community, especially in pivotal Montgomery County. Assistant Rabbi Lilli Shvartsmann, serving at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, asserts that the voting power of the Jewish community could play a crucial role in the election, and she aims for her congregation to recognize that their involvement extends beyond the rabbi’s presence during Shabbat or life cycle events. During the election season, Shvartsmann and senior Rabbi Ethan Witkowsky have been offering pastoral care to anxious congregants at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. Their goal is to create a secure and nurturing space for their community to navigate the complexities of their experiences and the surrounding world. Rabbis Shvartsmann and Witkowsky maintained purposeful, transparent office hours in the days preceding Election Day, and their doors will continue to be open throughout the week. Discussions with congregants regarding political issues often occur in a casual manner, yet Shvartsmann offers both validation and a deep sense of understanding. She highlights that when arranging a Bar Mitzvah appointment with a congregant who voiced anxiety several weeks prior, it is crucial to acknowledge that they have been experiencing this anxiety for an extended period. [3]
The clergy made efforts to foster a community that encourages individuals to express their authentic selves and engage in meaningful discussions about the issues that matter to them. Shvartsmann noted that fundamental texts of Judaism convey the message that Jews hold a civic responsibility and engage actively in the world around them. She aimed to begin her journey here by setting a precedent, emphasizing the importance of being actively involved members of the Jewish community. Rabbi Witkovsky told the Jerusalem Post, “If that’s politics, that’s politics.” If it’s religion, it is religion. If it’s the Phillies, it’s the Phillies. The fact that so many people… care deeply about what this country looks like is a testament to our desire to make this a better place, to make this a place that’s safe, and to make this a place that reflects our values.” The congregation actively participated by crafting postcards that urged Philadelphians to cast their votes. Shvartsmann detailed the congregation’s efforts in reaching out through postcards to motivate Philadelphians to participate in the voting process. The congregation cares for the Philadelphia community and themselves, she says. [4]
Zvika Klein, the editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, believes that Harris lost the presidency due to her decision not to select the Jewish pro-Israel running mate who was her second choice on her shortlist. In his op-ed, “Kamala’s mistake: Ignoring Josh Shapiro cost her the White House,” Klein concludes that while Jews supported Harris, she could have benefitted from their support and won Pennsylvania. According to Klein, Shapiro, the Governor of Pennsylvania, who identifies as Jewish and was considered for the VP slot, may have brought a drive to the Kamala Harris campaign, particularly in Pennsylvania. Shapiro’s journey to the VP shortlist was characterized by backlash over his backing of Israel, resulting in the coining of the phrase “Genocide Josh.” Shapiro dismissed these criticisms, asserting that antisemitism had no influence on the conversation with the vice president. Discourse on his position on Israel, his religious identity, and his “pro-police” policies during his tenure as Pennsylvania Attorney General dominated social media. Progressive activists contended that his backing of school vouchers and policing reforms rendered him a polarizing figure. [5]
In a closely contested race, Shapiro’s approval ratings surpassed those of both Harris and Trump, while Nate Silver’s analysis pointed out that Harris “missed a significant chance to move toward the center.” Ultimately, it appeared that Harris’s choice to avoid engaging with Shapiro may have resulted in losses beyond merely Jewish votes — it deprived her of a distinctive connection to Pennsylvanians overall who valued Shapiro’s reliable demeanor and approachable character. Harris’s choice, Tim Walz, boasted a respectable political background, yet he failed to connect with voters in Pennsylvania. This left many residents, especially within the Jewish community, feeling as though they were offered a thoughtful alternative when what they truly desired was a local champion who really understood their needs. [6]
Shapiro, in his role as governor, embodies a sense of unity and faith that connects with individuals from various religious backgrounds. His candidness regarding his beliefs and support for Israel could have galvanized Jewish voters in Pennsylvania, a state where the Jewish community, though limited in size, exerts significant influence that surpasses its demographic count. Shapiro’s beliefs have resonated with Black ministers, Catholic leaders, and a prominent figure within the Muslim community. Harris’s decision to exclude Shapiro from the ticket may have overlooked the significance of a moderate Jewish perspective, particularly in an era marked by rising antisemitism throughout the US. Trump, ever adept at capitalizing on circumstances, is using Shapiro’s exclusion to further his own agenda, even with his own complex background regarding Jewish matters. Shapiro’s future appears promising, but his focus is firmly on Pennsylvania, where his approval ratings are notably strong. The takeaway remains that the Democratic Party requires leaders such as Shapiro who are unafraid to own their identities and steadfastly uphold their convictions.[7]
Equally problematic was Harris’s changing views on Israel and the Gaza War, moving in the last leg of the campaign to a more pro-Palestinian position. Harris encountered criticism from pro-Palestinian demonstrators at her campaign events. In August, Harris made her strongest remarks in support of Israel. However, facing backlash from voters and factions within the party, Harris retreated from her position, assuming that Jewish voters did not prioritize Israel and would remain loyal to the Democrats come election day. Accepting the Democratic Presidential nomination on August 23, 2024, Harris expressed, “With respect to the war in Gaza, President Biden and I are working around the clock, because now is the time to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done. And let me be clear. And let me be clear. I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself — and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on October 7 — including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival.”[8]
On the other hand, Harris appealed to Arab Americans, saying, “At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating.” So many innocent lives were lost. People, desperate and hungry, repeatedly fled for safety. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.” Harris concluded with the dual rhetoric about the Middle East that satisfied neither voter camp: “President Biden and I are working to end this war, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.”[9]
[1] https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/22/politics/jewish-voters-pennsylvania-election/index.html
[2] https://www.jpost.com/us-elections/article-827732
[3] https://www.jpost.com/us-elections/article-827732
[4] https://www.jpost.com/us-elections/article-827732
[5] https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-828085
[6] https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-828085
[7] https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-828085
[8] https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-816011; https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-kamala-harris-full-speech-at-the-democratic-national-convention-2
[9] https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-816011; https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-kamala-harris-full-speech-at-the-democratic-national-convention-2
Bonnie K. Goodman, BA, MLIS, is a historian, librarian, journalist, and artist. She is pursuing an MA in Jewish Education at the Melton Centre of Jewish Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is the author of the recently released “On This Day in History…: Significant Events in the American Year,” and “A Constant Battle: McGill University’s Complicated History of Antisemitism and Now anti-Zionism.” She has a BA in History and Art History and a Masters in Library and Information Studies from McGill University. She has done graduate work in Jewish history at Concordia University as part of the MA in Judaic Studies, where she focused on Medieval and Modern Judaism. Her research area is North American Jewish history, and her thesis was entitled “Unconditional Loyalty to the Cause: Southern Whiteness, Jewish Women, and Antisemitism, 1860–1913.” Ms. Goodman has been researching and writing about antisemitism in North American Jewish History, and she has reported on the current antisemitic climate and anti-Zionism on campus for over fifteen years.
She is also the author of among others, “Silver Boom! The Rise and Decline of Leadville, Colorado as the United States Silver Capital, 1860–1896” (2008), “On This Day in the History… Of American Independence Significant Events in the Revolutionary Era, 1754–1812” (2020), and “We Used to be Friends? The Long Complicated History of Jews, Blacks, and Antisemitism” (2020). She contributed the overviews and chronologies to the “History of American Presidential Elections, 1789–2008,” edited by Gil Troy, Arthur M. Schlesinger, and Fred L. Israel (2012). She is the former Features Editor at the History News Network and reporter at Examiner.com, where she covered politics, universities, religion, and news. She currently blogs at Medium, where she was a top writer in history, and regularly writes an “On This Day in History (#OTD in #History)” Feature. Her scholarly articles can be found on Academia.edu.
