Beware of Jews in High Office

Provocative title? It's not what you think.

Jewish Americans are often proud to see other Jewish Americans in high office -- be it in politics, business, or other noble pursuits. It makes us -- a mere 2 percent of the American population -- feel that we're contributing positively to the American experience. Others may have additional reasons why we gloat over such a thing.

But it also so happens that when some Jewish Americans achieve such heights, they disown their Judaism out of a sense of shame and to avoid being seen as different. Israeli Middle East commentator Isi Leiber brilliantly uses the experience of former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to illustrate the point much better. This is a must-read, especially for anyone who automatically thinks that any Jewish American in high office is always a good thing.