Constituent connections

Napolitano, Goddard work closely with Jewish community

BARRY COHEN
Editor

In their imminent respective roles as Arizona governor and attorney general, Janet Napolitano and Terry Goddard said they would maintain a close connection with the Valley's Jewish community.

Janet Napolitano has been named a lifetime member of the Hadassah Valley of the Sun Hadassah chapter. Terry Goddard has worked closely with the Arizona Jewish Historical Society to purchase the Culver Street Synagogue and have it declared a historic site.

"She stands for everything I stand for and Hadassah stands for," including women's rights and the importance of education, said Leigh Levine, VOS Hadassah chapter president, of the governor-elect.

Goddard explained what needed to be done to return the Culver Street synagogue to the Jewish community, said Risa Mallin, AJHS executive director, about the incoming attorney general.

He attended the Save-our-Synagogue event, Nov. 18, 2001, to rally support to purchase the structure, which was built in 1921 and home to Temple Beth Israel from 1922-1949. And he was present at the Jewish Heritage Fair earlier this month - the first communitywide event at the site since AJHS purchased the property, said Mallin.

Both Goddard and a spokesman for Napolitano noted efforts to maintain an ongoing connection with the Valley Jewish community.

Napolitano has attended local Hadassah chapter functions and more, said Noah Kroloff, policy director for Napolitano's campaign for governor. During the gubernatorial campaign she met at various synagogues throughout the community and the state. She also set up working groups developing education, economic and business policies that included representatives from the Jewish community, he noted.

"I would characterize the relationship between Janet Napolitano and the Jewish community as very strong," he said.

As governor, Napolitano intends to maintain these ties by attending meetings and "making sure the Jewish community has an open line of communication to the governor's office," he said.

Of his efforts with the AJHS, Goddard said, "I was very excited about the purchase and restoration (of the Culver Street synagogue), and I've tried to help in any way I can."

Asked about other issues on which Napolitano would focus, Kroloff identified education "as near and dear to the Jewish community," as well as cited equal rights for all Arizonans and business development.

Napolitano will push for a venture capital program through legislative action to allow small businesses to access capital through the state, he noted.

"This is pertinent to the Jewish community because so many Jews are involved with businesses in Arizona, small and large," he explained.

Goddard said he would target civil rights, human rights and the separation of church and state."

"I also plan on tapping into the Jewish community" as well as other communities, to provide advice to the attorney general's office on a number of areas, such as local business relations, said Goddard.

Other Valley Jewish professionals and business leaders spoke of the community's connection with Napolitano and Goddard and the best means to maintain it, as well as how to foster connections with other elected officials.

Napolitano will be "supportive, understanding and available," said Sid Rosen, chairman of Democrats for Matt Salmon.

David Bodney, attorney and managing partner of Steptoe & Johnson, noted that civil liberties and religious freedoms connect Napolitano, Goddard and Valley Jews. "They have no tolerance for hatred, bigotry or prejudice in our democratic way of life. ... Both will continue taking steps to safeguard rights of minorities," he explained.

He stressed the need for voters to maintain connections with and to communicate hopes and expectations not only with the governor-elect and the attorney general-elect in particular, but with elected officials in general.

"Start with ... getting involved in the community and public life," Bodney noted, and connect with officials through phone calls, letters or public meetings.

Members of the community can deal as individuals with elected officials' staffs or voice their concerns through such organizations as the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League or the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, said Paul Steen, president of the Arizona Chapter of the AJC.

"One thing every voter should do, wherever we live or work, is to make an appointment with our two state representatives and one senator," said Meyer Turken, Valley businessman. "Everyone can get a 10-minute appointment ... whether you voted for them or not."

At these appointments, it's helpful to share some biographical information, along with desires and concerns, said Turken.

Getting involved is "beyond writing checks alone," said Rosen. "We as Jews in a Christian society need to establish relationships (and) friendships" with elected officials.

This requires years of effort and involvement on a grassroots level, he added.

Another means of establishing a connection with politicians is through attending and testifying before legislative hearings, said George Weisz, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Jane Hull.

The problem is when officials hear only what the extremists have to say, he noted. "Extremists always show their passion. If the mainstream does not show the same passion, then the extremists win."

Contact the writer at barry_cohen@jewishaz.com.

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