 | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | Politics: S.C. Jewish voters could be factor in Democratic primary">Archive of stories pre April 2007 | | | | | | | 
Archive of stories pre April 2007 | News submitted by: MIB
CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP) -- South Carolina, the home of Strom Thurmond, Parris Island, the first Confederate shots of the Civil War and the BMW plant that produces the Z4 Roadster, also is the birthplace of Reform Judaism in the United States.
And though the state's Jewish history isn't as well known as the longest-serving U.S. senator or its military bases, its Jewish population -- nearly double that of Iowa and slightly more than New Hampshire -- could add a wrinkle to the Democratic presidential primary next February.
Out of the nation's approximately 6.2 million Jews, South Carolina's Jewish population is estimated at 11,500, compared to Iowa's 6,100 and New Hampshire's 10,000, according to the 2000 Census and the American Jewish Year Book.
The last time South Carolina Democrats held a primary was in 1992 -- caucuses were held in other presidential election years -- and 114,000 voters went to the polls.
Those Jewish voters could have an affect on February 3, especially with nine candidates fighting for the Democratic nomination.
"It's not a bloc, but that doesn't mean it doesn't galvanize at some point between now and then," said Rick Silver, an advertising executive in Columbia..
Democratic hopeful Sen. John Edwards has made winning South Carolina a top priority, because he's from neighboring North Carolina and was born in Seneca, South Carolina.
South Carolina's almost 1.2 million blacks also will be a critical constituency, especially for the two black candidates -- Al Sharpton and Carol Moseley Braun.
The question is whether Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who is Jewish, can secure the support of South Carolina's Jewish voters, or whether they will find other candidates more attractive. They will get their first look at all the Democratic candidates May 3 when they debate at the University of South Carolina.
"There would be some identification with Lieberman as a coreligionist. ... There would be some natural affinity, but I don't think he'll get all that vote," said College of Charleston professor Jack Bass, who grew up in the only Jewish family in the small town of North, South Carolina.
Said Silver: "He certainly starts with an advantage both with an interest and intrigue on the part of Jewish voters. ... But I believe thereafter it stands on its own. And I would suspect that's the way Lieberman would want it."
For his part, Lieberman made clear he's looking to appeal to all voters.
"It's a small community," Lieberman said recently of the state's Jewish voters after attending a Palm Sunday service at a black Baptist church in Florence. "I'm running as an American."
Roots of Reform Judaism
The roots of Reform Judaism in America can be traced to Charleston. Known as the "Holy City" for its numerous church spires, Charleston also is home to Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (Holy Congregation House of God), the fourth oldest Jewish congregation in the continental United States and the first Reform congregation in this country. Reform Jews try to preserve Jewish traditions while making their faith compatible with contemporary life.
The Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim congregation was organized in 1749. The synagogue, destroyed by a fire in 1838, was replaced two years later by an imposing, white-columned temple which now stands on the same site in the city's historic district. The Brith Sholom Beth Israel Congregation, an Orthodox congregation which worships nearby on the Charleston peninsula, dates to 1854.
"Obviously the Jewish community takes great pride in the fact you have Joseph Lieberman running because it says in America one doesn't have to worry about their race or their religion or their gender," said Sam Tenenbaum, a Democratic activist and three-time national convention delegate who is backing Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/04/24/south.carolina.voters.ap/index.html
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