Obama to governors: Tell Congress to stop spending cuts

Published on February 25, 2013

President Barack Obama urged state governors on Feb. 25 to pressure Congress to prevent $85 billion in across-the-board government spending cuts from going into effect on March 1, saying he is willing to reach a compromise with Republicans.

Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer to step down

Published on January 29, 2013

Stanley Fischer is stepping down from his position as governor of the Bank of Israel.

Can Democrats govern California?

Published on March 21, 2012

Facing the likelihood of conflicting tax initiatives on the November ballot, Gov. Jerry Brown last week reached agreement with the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) on a compromise, unified measure.

Russ Feingold will not run for Senate or Wisconsin governor

Published on August 19, 2011

Former senator Russ Feingold has taken himself out of contention for both a Wisconsin Senate seat and a run for governor.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ashley Madison: A Match Made in Heaven

By Ilana Angel
Published on August 14, 2011

Oh Sarah Palin, what nonsense fell out of your mouth now…

By Julia Bendis
Published on June 7, 2011

Jewish Men Don’t Cheat! Ha! And Ashley Madison is a Dating Site!

By Julia Bendis
Published on May 17, 2011

Jews joining union showdown in Wisconsin over gov’s proposal

Published on February 23, 2011

A growing number of Jews in Wisconsin are joining the protests in Madison against a budget-cutting proposal by the governor to eliminate most collective-bargaining rights for public-sector employees. “Judaism has long stood for the rights of the worker, beginning with the biblical injunction of Deuteronomy: ‘Do not take advantage of the hired worker who is poor and needy,’ ” said Rabbi Bonnie Margulis.

Alabama governor apologizes

Published on January 20, 2011

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley apologized for saying in inaugural day comments that non-Christians were not his "brothers and sisters." Bentley met Wednesday for an hour with representatives of Alabama's Jewish community, including leaders of Birmingham's Jewish federation, the Birmingham News reported. Afterward he told reporters that he was sorry.

Schwarzenegger making play dates with Medvedev

By Julia Bendis
Published on January 14, 2011

Rabbi breaks with Carl Paladino over apology

Published on October 14, 2010

NYTIMES.com: The alliance between the Republican Carl P. Paladino and an Orthodox rabbi from Brooklyn has fallen apart, with the rabbi denouncing Mr. Paladino on Wednesday for his apology over remarks he had made about homosexuality on Sunday.

Gov. signs, vetoes Holocaust-related bills

By Tom Tugend
Published on October 4, 2010

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, faced with two bills rooted in the Nazi era, has signed one and vetoed the other.

Texas governor meets Jewish leaders

Published on May 4, 2010

Orthodox Jewish community leaders in Texas met with senior state officials including Gov. Rick Perry, who expressed support for a school voucher program.

Fischer to remain Bank of Israel governor

Published on March 17, 2010

Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer will serve a second five-year term.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a news conference Wednesday at the Knesset announced that he would ask the Finance Ministry to approve the appointment.

Superintendant Romer Wants to End Term Early

By Howard Blume
Published on February 9, 2006

Los Angeles schools Supt. Roy Romer, the central figure in efforts to improve local schools, has quietly informed top school officials that he would like to leave the job by September, some nine months before his contract expires.

O.C. Election Set for Rosh Hashanah

By Marc Ballon
Published on August 25, 2005

Jewish groups are expressing anger that government officials, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have scheduled a special election in Orange County to fall on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year for Jews.

Schwarzenegger Is Losing Jewish Vote

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on August 4, 2005

In November 2003, California voters recalled Gov. Gray Davis and replaced him with Arnold Schwarzenegger. White voters backed the recall by a large margin, but Jewish voters swam against the tide, with 69 percent voting against the recall. On the second part of the ballot, where voters chose a replacement candidate, Schwarzenegger collected a surprising 31 percent of Jewish voters.

I suggested then in these pages that Schwarzenegger might eventually do well with Jews: "Jewish voters aren't likely to abandon the Democratic Party anytime soon, but will likely give Arnold Schwarzenegger a chance to prove that he can govern in a bipartisan, moderate manner.... If Schwarzenegger truly seeks to solve the state's problems without being a tool of right-wing forces, and with an open-minded, progressive approach, he may find a surprising number of friends among California's Democratic-leaning Jewish voters."

Chance given, chance blown.

For the Kids

By Abby Gilad
Published on October 23, 2003

There are a lot of new things in our lives.

Recall Tarnishes Golden State’s Shine

By Bob Hertzberg
Published on July 10, 2003

California has always been a land of hope and opportunity.

A Viable Alternative?

By Tom Tugend
Published on October 29, 1998

Of all the candidates running for political office in the United States, it is a safe bet there is only one who:

Scars Fall on Alabama

Published on July 16, 1998

Close to half the Reform temples in Alabama are named "Emanuel," which is Hebrew for "God is with us." Jews all over the state are hoping it proves true this fall, when voters pick a governor.