Local couple attends convention

MADELINE ISRAEL
Special to Jewish News

Madeline Israel, left, and her husband, Howard, right, talk to their son, U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Photo courtesy of Madeline Israel

In November 2000, our son, Steve Israel, was elected to his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 2nd Congressional District of New York. A couple of weeks earlier, we had flown from Phoenix to New York, our original home, to help him in his campaign. An interviewer from a Long Island newspaper asked us when we knew he would have a future in politics, and my husband answered, "Well, when he was born, he said to the obstetrician, 'Vote for me.'" And though an exaggeration, this statement wasn't far off the mark.

Now, almost four years later and running for his third term in office, Steve extended an invitation to us to attend the Democratic National Convention, which we accepted with great anticipation and pride. Having become "political junkies" since our retirement in 2000, this was not only an opportunity to be with our son, but to witness this history-making event firsthand.

We were fortunate enough to be able to get Honored Guest of the New York Delegation identi-fication pins, enabl-ing us to attend the N.Y. Delegates break-fast each morning. The list of speakers at these breakfast meet-ings was awesome. U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Illinois State Sen. Barack Obama (D- Chicago), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), as well as many New York political stars spoke, but for us, the highlight was our own governor, Janet Napolitano (D-Ariz.), appearing on the stage at the New York Delegation breakfast. We had an opportunity to meet with her for a few moments after her appearance, and she continues to excite us and give us great hope for our state.

We shook hands and shared a few words with former President Bill Clinton on July 25 and felt "it doesn't get any better than this." But each day's events brought a new sense of exhilaration, such as an enlightening conversation with actor Richard Dreyfuss, whom we met in a hospitality suite; chatting with Joe Trippi (former campaign manager for Howard Dean's presidential campaign); speaking with various con-gressmen and senators; and sharing a section of valued seats with Steven Spielberg, Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Steve and his wonderful staff had arranged our attendance at several events involving the Jewish community, and the first one was titled "Public Policy Concerns of the Indian-American and the Jewish Communities," and was sponsored by the American Jewish Committee. Having lived in Arizona for 23 years, our immediate assumption was that this involved the Native American Indian - imagine our surprise when we discovered the subject was the relationship and commonalities of India and Israel, both countries being the only democracies in their region of the world, both having faced and continue to face terrorism. It was interesting to learn that several congress-men, including our son, have visited India, and gave their viewpoints on the importance of solid U.S.-India-Israel relations.

Another meeting, sponsored by National Jewish Demo-cratic Council (NJDC) addressed the topic "Are Jews Trending Republican?" and featured pollster Mark Mellman; Ann Lewis, DNC Women's Vote Center chair-woman; Brandeis University professor Jonathan Sarna; and former congressman Mel Levine. The panelists agreed that those Jewish Democrats who continue to support Bush are not addressing the fact that Kerry's 20-year record of 100 percent support for Israel is equal to, if not greater than, Bush's support. And given that, the Jewish voter must remember the other issues supported by the Jewish community such as separation of church and state, environment, education, women's rights and senior citizen issues.

Judging by the number of Jewish/Israel events, it became very obvious that the convention was focused on the Jewish community and voter. Some of the other meetings were: "A Jewish Community Celebration" featuring Ed-wards, Sen. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Boston Mayor Thomas Manino; a NJDC lunch for Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.); "A Meeting with Mispacha" honoring Jewish Democrats of Congress and "The New and the Blue" reception hosted by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which was considered off the record.

At every event we attended, whether focused on the Jewish community or a late-night cocktail party, the most permeating thread was the importance of this election. From casual conversations with other attendees, to the various speeches made, the message was clear: This is the most important election of the century.

Our most special moment, however, came at 4:53 p.m. on July 29, at which time our son approached the podium at the 2004 Democratic National Convention and gave a three- minute speech. Do I know what he spoke about? Only because I researched it on the Internet. All I saw and heard was my first baby, a child, a teenager and now a man who not only has achieved his dream, but continues to build on it. What greater nachas can there be?