Letters to the editor

Pushing back on a loaded question
In response to “Does Pittsburgh’s 14th Ward Democratic Committee have a Jewish problem?” (March 30), as a proud Jew and Democratic committee member, I must respond to this vague but loaded question.

Is it understandable for some Jews to respond to the catastrophic explosion of Jew hatred, as well as pervasive ignorance about or indifference to Jew hatred, by forming an organization dedicated to combating it? Yes.

Are all their tactics constructive? No.

Does any group represent every Jew? We all know that answer.

Is the growing sense of alarm, alienation and political homelessness experienced by many Jewish Democrats in the face of antisemitism in our own party reasonable? Absolutely.

Is it rational to view the Republican party as a cataclysmic threat to democracy, women, children, immigrants, religious minorities, POC, the LGBTQ+ community, health, the planet? Again, absolutely.

So, it is natural for members of the 14th Ward Democratic committee to feel besieged when someone who publicly supports Republicans also aggressively recruits candidates for the committee. Involved, committed Democrats are among those who have been recruited for the committee, of course — the concern expressed is not an attack on those candidates. However, alarm that someone whose PAC also supports Republicans at odds with multiple deeply held and essential Democratic values is perfectly reasonable. I must acknowledge, however, that some of the response to the recruitment has been reactive and tone deaf.

It’s an open secret that this candidate recruitment campaign is partly motivated by a ruthless effort to unseat Liz Healey as ward chair. While Liz and I often disagree on primary candidates, I have always felt listened to, respected and valued by her — as a person, as a committee member and as a Jew. Liz has spearheaded critical 14th Ward contributions to Democratic wins, including Biden’s and Shapiro’s, with commitment and humility. Not having her experienced leadership at this perilous juncture would be an incalculable loss.

Michele Feingold
Pittsburgh