Editor’s Note:
Hadassah Magazine interviews figures from across the political spectrum in the United States and Israel. In America, given biennial Congressional contests and long presidential campaigns, it is inevitable that some of these interviews take place close to elections. As the letters here indicate, readers often take issue with the views expressed by the people interviewed. We are confident, however, that if readers look at our interview subjects over the long term, they will find that we present a balanced sample of Republican and Democratic views.

I was shocked to see your interview with Debbie Wasserman Schultz (February/March issue). This interview was an election campaign event by the representative. She tried to depict President Obama as a friend of Israel, when in reality he embraced the Islamic countries immediately after taking office, insulted Prime Minister Netanyahu and further stated his views on television that Israel should return land to the Palestinians that would jeopardize Israel’s security.

Wasserman Schultz further stated that President Obama had an “incredible record” of being supportive of Israel. “He proposed more than $3 billion in aid.” He proposed nothing—Congress proposed this and has done so for many years, through Republican as well as Democratic presidencies. If Obama were to veto this aid, a staggering amount of congressmen, both Republicans and Democrats, would rise up to override his veto.
Stanley Cohen, Aventura, FL, Via e-mail

I am dismayed by the overtly political approach to the interview with Debbie Wasserman Schultz. As a career federal employee prohibited from engaging in political activities, I am sensitive to the political nature of this article. I am concerned that this support for a candidate without any challenge will damage Hadassah’s nonprofit status.

Having lived many years in Connecticut, where the Jewish community was relatively unified (and successful in supporting Senator Lieberman during his struggle with party politics), I now live in Texas where the Jewish community is more diverse in expressing opinions about both parties.

It is important for Hadassah Magazine to be nonpartisan, particularly in this election year. Surely this interview with Wasserman Schultz could have discussed her many attributes without opening with partisan statements.
Joyce Cramer, Houston, TX, Via e-mail

I take issue with the Debbie Wasserman Schultz interview. I found it to be a vindictive political tract, pure and simple. I think the questions posed to her were leading and prejudicial in order to elicit her political beliefs into print.

Hadassah members consist of every party in the United States. They should not have to read the views and distortions of the head of the Democratic National Committee surreptitiously slipped into their beloved magazine.
Muriel Lader, Putnam Valley, NY, Via e-mail

I think Debbie Wasserman Schultz is so taken with the Democratic Party that she completely overlooks Obama’s record. Today’s Democratic Party is not the one of our parents or grandparents. It has moved far to the left. Obama continues to blame Bush for everything, taking no responsibility for anything negative. He is determined to take the United States down the path to socialism.

Wasserman Schultz does a disservice not only to America, but to our people. I am Jewish, and I think Obama is bad for every one of us and especially Israel. Wasserman Schultz, as the head of the DNC, I know must defend him, but her arguments are much too shallow.
Henry Carleton, Monroe, GA, Via e-mail