A minyan in the Senate and three more in the House

From JPost.com » Jewish World » Jewish News » Jan. 7, 2007 2:54 Updated Jan. 7, 2007 18:15 By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER ....

WASHINGTON

...a historic high-point in Jewish representation. Altogether, 43 (8 percent) of the United States's 535 senators and representatives are Jewish, despite Jews comprising only some 2% of the American population.

The 110th Congress's 13 Jewish senators and 30 Jewish representatives comprise the greatest number to have ever have sat in one Congress, though there were more Jewish representatives (but fewer Jewish senators) in the early '90s, when Democrats last had control of the legislative branch.

...That translates into better committee appointments... The 110th Congress is not only distinguished by how many Jews holding office, but by how many key leadership positions they hold, particularly on committees important for Israel.

...Tom Lantos of California, a Holocaust survivor, became the House International Relations Committee chairman this week.

Doug Bloomfield, a former legislative director from AIPAC, also pointed to the significance of seniority in leadership appointments. As Jews have become more comfortable in identifying their religion and running for public office, they increasingly find themselves in more prominent positions by virtue of time. "This is a generation of Jewish members who are not sensitive about being Jewish," he said. "This new generation is much more assertive. They've also been here longer and have more authority."

"It's impressive," said William Daroff, director of the United Jewish Communities' Washington office. "To have a minyan in the Senate and three minyanim in the House...It is a real testament to the political strength of the Jewish community."