This Pennsylvania Jew reacts to anti-Semitism aimed at Josh Shapiro

Seventy Thoughts on Turning Seventy

For my Jewish friends and others who are hearing the slander from the right about why Shapiro was not selected.

The Democratic party does not hate Jews.

This is a vicious lie perpetrated by fear mongering, divisive, self serving politicians who know how important the ""Jewish vote" is -- especially in a part of the country I know well -- the Philadelphia suburbs where many Jews live and vote.

If Pennsylvania is a swing state, Montgomery, Delaware and Bucks Counties are the swing counties.

Yes, I believe that the specter of anti-Semitism played a role in Harris' decision.

But that anti-Semitism comes from the left AND the right.

On the left, the extreme reaction to Shapiro's stance on Israel and Gaza was out of proportion to the other prospective nominees. Shapiro's criticism of Netanyahu went even further than Walz's, yet the Jewish governor became the target of their ire. And if you don't believe that was fueled by anti-Semitism ( holding ALL Jews responsible for the actions of some)

take a minute to analyze the animus behind the nickname "genocide Josh." There's a reason you won't be hearing "genocide Tim" from the protesters outside of the Democratic convention.

As for the anti-Semitism of the right, these people hold onto and perpetuate classic anti Jewish tropes popularized in the false and discredited "Protocols of the Elders of Zion." Every time you hear those in the GOP say "George Soros" know that that is a dog whistle for the dangerous and libelous assertion that Jews control world finance and are part of a secret cabal to rule the world. When they blame "Soros funded" organizations for the influx of illegal immigrants, their listeners know what that means: Jews are responsible for illegal black and brown immigrants taking "their" jobs.

Josh Shapiro is an electrifying figure, a gifted orator and an effective governor of a sprawling diverse state. He's also young and very ambitious. There have been reports that Shapiro himself had second thoughts about stepping into the role of Vice President. Were he and Harris elected, he would have been facing the possibility of spending EIGHT YEARS of his rising career in a secondary position. If I were his mother, I would have advised him to stay as governor, keep doing the best job he can for the people of Pennsylvania and remain on his own track.

Last night, at Temple University. Josh Shapiro did not run from his Jewish identity and Judaism. He talked, no preached, about Jewish values of service and justice. And in that context, he wholeheartedly endorsed Harris and Walz.

That trump and vance and their minions are trying to tell Jews that the Democratic party hates Jews shows their disdain for the intelligence and ability of Jewish people to see things for ourselves.

It's just part of their divide and conquer hate-filled playbook and this Jew isn't buying it.

Neither should you.

Josh Shapiro supporting Harris-Walz in Philadelphia