This interview is part of Moment’s Jewish Political Voices Project. To learn more about the project, click here. To see our other participants, click here. To see all posts from Adam, click here.
Age: 39
Occupation: Attorney
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Party Registration: Democratic
Jewish Denomination: Reform
2020 Vote: Joe Biden
Current 2024 Vote: Joe Biden
Family: Divorced, one daughter, one son
News Sources: Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee Sentinel, Milwaukee Business Journal, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Ynet, The Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Drudge Report
Has October 7 changed your thinking about politics or about your fellow Americans?
It brought to the surface a larger problem that I personally had been seeing and thinking about for a while in terms of anti-Zionism really being smoke and mirrors for antisemitism.
I think overall Biden has handled the response really well in terms of clarity in support of Israel, clarity against antisemitism and understanding the nuance of the situation to the disapproval of some of his more progressive base. It doesn’t shock me, but it saddens me that a lot of Jewish individuals who were donors or supporters of progressive causes are not extending similar recognition or support when Jews in Israel faced the aftermath of October 7. For me that was less startling than it was for some others in my network, just because I anticipated it somewhat. But in terms of the day after, for example, BLM in Chicago having a poster of the hangliders—I never would’ve expected that. But I think the isolation of American Jews has shocked a lot of people.
How would you rate Biden’s performance as president?
I think overall he’s done a fairly good job managing most things. In terms of getting the country back online after COVID-19, in terms of the economy, in terms of infrastructure, in terms of increasing America’s role internationally. The main concern I have, like most Americans, is his age and just how much he’s actually managing on a day-to-day basis versus others on his behalf.
Are you afraid of either side not accepting the election outcome?
I think there is a very real fear of people not accepting results or taking issue with the outcomes in certain states.
What are your thoughts on abortion?
Roe v. Wade should not have been overturned, or Casey even heard by the Supreme Court, even though I think it’s a state issue. I guess it’s kind of my legal mind versus what I think is right. Personally, I’m pro-choice and believe there should be access in all states to abortion.