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Mar

20

What do Jews do, Purim: Obama Converts to Judaism*


From my synagogue’s Purim edition of our newsletter, usually called The Tidings, on Purim, it’s called The Tirade:

Buffeted by criticism of his controversial Christian pastor while continuing to quell rumors that he is a Muslim, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) took a bold step today to settle questions about his religious faith once and for all.

“I am converting to Judaism, effective immediately,” Mr. Obama told reporters at a press conference in Scarsdale, New York, adding that he would change his middle name from “Hussein” to “Murray.”

As a sign of commitment to his new faith, the Illinois Senator said that he anticipated being Bar Mitzvahed sometime between now and the crucial Pennsylvania primary and that he would no longer campaign on Saturdays.

In a subtle sign of the shift in his religious affiliation, Mr. Obama’s signature catchphrase “Yes, we can,” was nowhere to be found in his speech, replaced instead by “L’Chaim.”

While some political observers praised Mr. Obama’s conversion to Judaism as a shrewd tactic to put the issue of his religious identity to rest, the move raised the ire of one of his harshest critics, former Rep. Geradline Ferraro.

“Barack Murray Obama wouldn’t be in the position he’s in if he wasn’t Jewish,” said Ms. Ferraro to herself.

*And a Hag Sameach to Andy Borowitz too.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:57 pm March 20th, 2008 in Barack Obama, Flip, Jewish, Judaism, Politics, Primary, Religion, WH2008 

Comments

3 Responses to “What do Jews do, Purim: Obama Converts to Judaism*”

  1. 1 Don Jones on March 20th, 2008 8:23 pm

    Makes sense. A postmortum member of the God Damn America Society is Hitler.

    Drop by MyManJohn.com and see the world’s only picture of a Boneheaded Mistake.

    Don Jones
    MyManJohn.com

  2. 2 Andrew Whitehead on March 21st, 2008 3:23 pm

    Andrew Sullivan had this a couple of days ago:

    Is Obama Jewish?

    A reader writes:

    A friend who is a journalist was teaching radio journalism in Bahrain last week. When the subject turned to American politics, his translator asked, “Is it true that Barack Obama is Jewish?” This genuinely seems to be the latest conspiracy theory in the Middle East. … It seems to be based on the name Barack being like Ehud Barak. So his first name makes people this he’s Jewish and his middle name makes people this he’s a Muslim. Lucky for him his pastor is there to speak up for him as a Christian.

    http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/03/is-obama-jewish.html

  3. 3 Don Jones on March 21st, 2008 3:41 pm

    What is in a name? What is in the brain? Obama has a good one, but he would have been much better off leaving his faith out of the picture. I do not recall any other candidates having this problem with the exception of Romney who wore his like a flag.

    In Barak’s case it is not about God but rather what his self styled minister’s views on who God should damn. It seems that is all of us with skin tones lighter than black. Hmmmm, is Rev. Wright black enough?

    Should Barak be condemned for the vile comments of his minister which he disavows hearing. Yes, if he sat in the congregation for ten years or more, because to hold himself out as not knowing Mr. Wright’s views and pecadillo’s is so hard to believe it makes his a balatant liar.

    No one with such questionable integrity should have his finger on the Nuclear Foodball.

    Don Jones
    MyManJohn.com

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