Democratic Rep. Andy Levin tells Haaretz how his Reconstructionist Judaism informs his work as a congressman, even when it comes to criticizing Israeli policy
Why This Proudly Jewish Lawmaker Is One of Israel’s Biggest Critics in Congress
WASHINGTON – Like most Jewish lawmakers, Rep. Andy Levin's religion has greatly informed his worldview and approach to governing.
The Michigan Democrat, however, is in a league of his own when it comes to contextualizing his heritage in fighting for social justice – even if it means vocally criticizing Israeli policy and going out on a ledge against community orthodoxy.
"I don't think the Jewish community really knows what to do with me," Levin laughs. "I am really Jewish, but I insist on keeping my moral clarity. It comes from my Judaism – what can I do?"
When nearly half the Jewish Democrats in the House of Representatives issued a statement recently accusing Rep. Ilhan Omar of equating the U.S. and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban, for example, he was not immediately sure how to respond. "I needed to take a beat," he told Haaretz.
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