By Joel Magalnick, Editor, JTNews
That the first gathering of the Seattle chapter of the Republican Jewish Coalition took place just two days after President Obama’s speech at the annual AIPAC policy conference in Washington, D.C. was fortuitous.
“President Obama started talking about his ideas about the State of Israel and suggesting that Israel shrink back to indefensible borders,” said Dan Sytman, co-founder of the Seattle RJC chapter. “It really has helped bring attention to what we’re doing because the level of dissatisfaction among Jews about the president is very significant.”
The event drew 63 people and recognition that this “minority within a minority,” as Sytman put it, should be legitimately concerned about the direction the president is taking with his Middle East policy.
Sytman and co-founder Elana Katyal started the Seattle chapter, the newest of about 40 around the country, to create a place for Jewish Republicans, who Sytman said often hide their beliefs because “it can be difficult on business and relationships.”
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the RJC doesn’t raise funds or campaign for specific candidates, but they will invite Republican candidates to speak at events and create opportunities to educate members on their platforms.
“We’re mostly a group that organizes people so they can learn how to be more engaged in politics in general,” Sytman said.
Though Sytman said he would welcome the opportunity to have civil dialogues with left-leaning organizations, doing so could go against the grain of the organization’s history. Advertisements run at election times in JTNews and in other Jewish press over the past decade that have been critical of Democratic candidates or their records have frequently drawn anger and protests. However, the JTA World News service reported this week that Jewish officials such as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz began a media blitz in past weeks that denies a split between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Also, the White House on its website posted a lengthy defense of the president’s record on Israel — a move JTA Washington bureau chief Ron Kampeas called unusual. These actions appear to be an effort to fend off many Israel supporters’ angst regarding Obama’s statements on a two-state solution.
Israel and Obama were the main topic of conversation at the Seattle RJC inaugural event, Sytman said. King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn addressed the audience, and organizers expect future speakers to include Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R–Spokane) and state Attorney General Rob McKenna. Sytman works as media-relations manager for McKenna.
The national RJC, which is supported by its chapters, will hold a gala on June 12 in Beverly Hills that will feature former House speaker and current presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.
“They have excellent connections with all of these national figures,” said Sytman of the national RJC. “The majority of Republican presidential candidates will speak at RJC events throughout the year.”
Though events for the new chapter will generally be open to anyone in the community, there are membership opportunities that would allow members to attend special engagements.
Sytman said he also hopes to be able to educate anyone interested in running for office about the ins and outs of successful campaigning.
Though the state has had plenty of Jewish representation from legislative officials to Supreme Court Justice to territorial governor (in 1870), only one — John Miller in the first legislative district — has been a member of the GOP. He left office in 1993.
“It would be nice to have a Jewish Republican run for office in the state of Washington,” Sytman said.
Ultimately, the Seattle RJC wants to let its potential supporters know that they are not as isolated as they may think and can finally come out of the closet.
“By starting this organization, we hope to persuade more Jews that it’s okay to be a Republican,” Sytman said. “All things being equal, Republicans tend to be much more dependable on support of Israel and other issues that I think we are interested in.”