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Jewish Community React to Sotomayor

Aaron Keyak — May 27, 2009 – 11:57 am | Barack Obama | Civil Liberties | Domestic Policy | Separation of Church & State Comments (4) Add a comment

A number of Jewish organizations have come out with comments concerning President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. They include the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC), the Orthodox Union (OU), and the Religious Action Center (RAC).

Here are excerpts of responses from the organizations and their leaders:

AJC: “We must recognize the significance of the third woman and first Hispanic on the court….And there’s no question of her impressive qualifications,” said Richard Foltin, Legislative Director for the AJC .

ADL: “We applaud President Obama for having selected this noted jurist to be the Court’s first Hispanic and third woman Justice. If confirmed, she will undoubtedly bring an important new perspective to the work of the Court.”

JCPA: “The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) today congratulated Judge Sonia Sotomayor on her historic nomination to the United States Supreme Court.”

NCJW: “Our 90,000 followers will be focused on making sure it’s a fair and prompt process that focuses on her record,” said Nancy Ratzan, NCJW president.

NJDC: “With the selection of Sotomayor, Obama has shown sound judgment and profound respect for our nation’s highest court by selecting an individual who has strong credentials, is highly regarded, and is committed to our constitutional values, rights, and liberties.”

OU: “President Obama, this morning, nominated Judge Sonya Sotomayor for the US Supreme Court. An early survey of her opinions on religious liberty issues is very encouraging”

RAC: “It was impossible not to moved by her personal story….To see her mother sitting there and think about what this says about her and her country—the combination of someone who grew up in a housing project, who has been on the bench for a long time, but who has been a prosecutor as well, that combination is very powerful,” ” said Mark Pelavin, the associate director of RAC.

Comments

David Yeagley | May 28, 2009 – 2:32 pm

Is Sonia Sotomayor Jewish herself? Is she, by ethnicity, of Jewish background?

Martin Handler | June 1, 2009 – 12:43 pm

Aren’t we being a little too quick to rubber stamp the nomination? Is there any track record on Jewish issues or associates? Being a white Jewish male I am a little troubled by that quote and need more explanation.

David Yeagley | June 8, 2009 – 3:08 pm

She has ruled favorabley in Jewish cases, particularly in onr regarding a Holocaust matter. She made two major, sponsored trips to Israel. Other than this, I do not know why the Jewish support. Her positions are very liberal, of course.

Maribeth Schlamann | July 16, 2009 – 2:26 pm

Both surnames, Sotomayor and Baez (Sonia Sotermayor’s maiden name) are of Sephardic/ Jewish origin.

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