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American Jews are far more interested in domestic affairs, such as the healthcare bill, than in Israel. This from the JTA
B’nai B’rith International was among the groups hailing the bill's passage.
“As the leading Jewish sponsor of supportive housing for seniors over the last 40 years, we have seen the impact the lack of life-time access to health care has on people as they age," the group said in a statement. "It is for that reason that we believe expanding access to health care for people of all ages is fundamental to achieving healthy aging for each generation.”
The statement went on to say that "Life-long access to quality health care, which should include prevention, diagnostic, and maintenance of chronic conditions, will ensure everyone can age in good health.”
Voting along party lines, House members passed the bill, 219-212, late Sunday night.
Rabbi David Saperstein, the executive director of the Religious Action Committee, the political lobby of the Reform movement, said in a statement that the adopted bill "is not perfect. But it is necessary."
"This is a unique and urgent moment in history; a moment of great promise and great challenge as Congress works together with doctors, hospitals, labor unions, businesses, insurers, drug companies and people of faith to ensure fundamental and comprehensive health insurance reform that provides for a healthy future for millions of Americans,” his statement said.
In a news release Monday, the National Jewish Democratic Council said, "We are confident that when historians look back on this day, they will equate the passage of this bill with such monumental legislative achievements as the passage of Social Security in the 1930’s. This bill also reflects the clear groundswell of support in the American Jewish community -- both among individuals and organizations -- for the change in our health care system that’s so desperately needed today."
For fairness, only the Republican Jewish Committee, whose members meet every year in a telephone booth, attacked the bill.