Rating: 
Summary: Jewish Power
Review: A perceptive account of contemporary Jewish leadership in the US dispelling myths of Jewish victimhood and conspiracy while offering a portrait of the institutions, ideas, and people who wield political influence. Journalist Goldberg analyzes the Anti-Defamation League, the United Jewish Appeal, even , detailing the vital role Jews play in Democratic party politics and their influence of American foreign policy through the pro-Israel lobby. Goldberg makes wise and witty observations about the Jewish establishment, cautioning it against a growing alienation rising from the six million American Jews who are its "constituency."
Rating: 
Summary: Honest reporting of an emotionally charged topic.
Review: Although the book, written in the middle nineties, is somewhat out of date it is important because it provides a factual, non-polemic picture of Jewish Power in America. If a similar account were to be written by a Gentile the author would risk condemnation by the main media. Goldberg has meticulously collected his facts and the Prologue story about ex-President Bush's encounter with the Jewish lobby is most enlightening. Goldberg discusses the successes of Jewish individuals in all major aspects of our society and their influence on both domestic as well as foreign policy.
For a person who lived during the nineteen thirties in Vienna a comparsion with the Jewish success story after World War I and prior to Hitler's assumption of power is inevitable. One can only hope that conditions in America will never reach the depth of despair which made a Hitler possible. Nevertheless the concerns for the future which some of Goldberg's informants express are entirely justified. This is especially so after September 11 when every effort is made by Jewish authorities to identify Prime Minister Sharon's policies and interests with those of the United States. Since they violate the civil rights of the Palestinian population and are in disregard of international law as well as U.N. resolutions there can be a serious backlash from the Gentile community in the U.S. if and when the Middle East explodes in a major war, with a resultant major world-wide economic downturn. To avoid a tragedy of this type Mr. Goldberg would be well advised to update his book and exert his influence on the Jewish leadership in the U.S. to promote a just solution in the Middle East which takes the legitimate needs, rather than desires, of Israelis and Palestinians into account. In this way he could be of great service not only to the Jewish community but the world at large.
Rating:
Summary: A humble account of our world triumph
Review: Goldberg, a Jewish brother, has written here a superb account of our triumph in the US and indirectly in the rest of the world. He focuses on politics and the role of Jewish organizations and politicians in attaining our objectives (such as the Holocaust-consciousness or the re-conquest of Israel), and our struggle against anti-Semitism on one side and our loss of identity on the other side. Goldberg tackles difficult issues, such as the dilemma between Jewish power on one side and on the other side the jealousy / anti-Semitism it causes among non-Jews. A good example of this is his excellent chapter on our stronghold in the mass- media ), quickly covering the issue of the press, Hollywood and television networks (all this is already out of date, he does not cover the recent acquisition of CNN and AOL, but the book was written in 1996 and should be updated.) Goldberg cites examples of cases where groups such as Christians or blacks were too much attacked by the media and blamed it on the Jewishness of the media, - a wise lesson to learn here, that our control of the media should be diplomatic enough to avoid any rise of anti-Semitism (but Goldberg points out at the beginning of the book that we succeeded anyway in eradicating anti-Semitism of America, so I think there is no danger here.) In the same chapter he also deals with the vexing issue that some media, although Jewish-owned, Jewish-run and Jewish-staffed are however against their own people as it comes to the issue of the Holy Land and Palestinian terrorism. Many thrilling realms of our power are not covered, for example our strength in the advertisement industry, or of the world and national finances. Only an insignificant short mention of Wall Street on p. 288. I would have Goldberg to remember readers that Wall Street was a (Jewish) ghetto, where the anti-Semitic Dutch colonists, who unwillingly accepted us, erected an infamous wall (hence the name Wall Street) to separate our ghetto. No mention in the book either of Wall Street's World Trading companies, with proud Jewish names such as Goldman & Sachs, Solomon, Surov... and of Jewish bank leaders such as Greenspan (Fed.), Wolfensohn (IMF), or the man who runs the European Central bank), etc. Here there are whole domains of our power that completely remained unexplored by the books, as well as many more recent issues in American and international politics where our race was triumphant. So the book is quite limited, but it deals well with what it covers. It is full of anecdotes and all kinds of stories and mentions and is at no time boring, but instead a thrilling read for anyone proud of being a Jew, or any Jew who feels crushed by anti-Semitism or any kind of desperation, such as the troubles with Palestinians. Brothers, read this book and it will give you the feelings that we are indeed the strongest in the world. The Lord be blessed!!
Rating:
Summary: On etzer
Review: I simply had to make a statement about etzer, because I found what he/she was saying incredibly disturbing. I believe that this person really needs to study the affects of abuse upon people. Abused people, unfortunately, often become major abusers themselves. Please rethink your thoughts on needing to have power and control over other people and your need to be "better" than other people. I think if you study your own history, tragically, you will find where this idea comes from. Please excuse my not reviewing this book properly.
Rating:
Summary: Good journalism; poor conclusions
Review: J.J. Goldberg's journalistic survey of Jewish influence in American politics is an even-handed, fair-minded summary of some twenty-five years of public involvement on the part of American Jews. However, Goldberg's conclusion -- that American Jews should align themselves with other coalitions on the liberal left in order to increase their combined influence -- is unfortunate. In fact what his survey demonstrates is that theologically liberal Judaism in the U.S. has dangerously allied itself with the growth of statism in the alleged name of compassion. Goldberg's survey pays little attention to politically conservative forces within American Jewry, and with perhaps some justification given the purpose of this book: by far the vast majority of theologically liberal Jews in the U.S. are politically "liberal" as well. But it is too bad that Goldberg does not follow up on one of his own most telling insights: that leftist political affiliation among Jews cannot be entirely due to the influence of Jewish tradition, because more traditionally-minded Jews also tend to be more politically conservative. (And for good reason; Jewish tradition is far less trusting of State power than many liberal Jews seem to be aware.) For a more rounded view, read this book in conjunction with, say, David Horowitz's _The Politics of Bad Faith_. Then follow up on Horowitz's own sources and look into the economics of the free market -- beginning with the works of Ludwig von Mises, whom Horowitz cites favorably, and passing on to other works by e.g. Murray Rothbard and Israel Kirzner. Goldberg's historical survey of liberal Judaism's attachment to liberal politics is enlightening and informative, but his advice to the political left is a recipe for bad government. It is perhaps too much to expect a journalistic survey to be ordered and informed by sound economic and political principles, but such principles are required if the true importance of this book is to be appreciated. The welfare-warfare state is _not_ the royal road to justice and compassion.
Rating:
Summary: "Inside the American Jewish Establishment"
Review: JEWISH POWER by obviously liberal journalist J. J. Goldberg describes the influence of America's Jewish community in influencing the US government. There are several problems with the book. It does not provide enough historical context and skims over some areas where Jews are either predominient (such as in Hollywood or textiles) or grossly represented out of proportion to the rest of the population (such as the mainstream media and Ivy League schools). Goldberg has a lot of ace to cover, and this is the type of book that might rile up that old demon "anti-Semitism" because it gives striking details on how much power the organized Jewish community wields (which includes Reform, Conservative and Orthodox synagouges plus the non-affiliated). But otherwise what Goldberg does say is worth the five stars. The vast majority of the book is about the ins-and-outs of Jewish 'alphabet soup' organizations, AIPAC's lobbying for Israel and its silencing of opponents, and a lengthy analysis of the conflicts between blacks and Jews from the mid-70s. Jews form the most consistently liberal segment of the US population, and Democratic canidates for President have usually been able to command roughly 80% of the Jewish vote. One-half of the white civil rights leaders that went to the South were Jews, the NAACP was formed and directed by Jews into the mid-60s and Jews have been consistently leading the fight for "seperation of church and state" (i.e. demoralizing Christians). 50% of the Democratic party's money comes from Jewish contributers. This can be decieving, because the Jewish swing vote can influence elections, hence the Republican party also tries to drum up Jewish support, and 20% of Republican money comes from Jews. Although the section about Jews in the media is far too brief and cursory, it mentions the NEW YORK TIMES as being the front voice for current Jewish opinions (1/3 of the TIMES' readership is estimated as Jewish anyway) and 1/4 of major editors for news magazines are Jewish. As for the perennial rumors of Jews controlling the media and Hollywood in particular, consider this quote from page 280: "And in a few key sectors of the media, notably among Hollywood studio executives, Jews are so numerically dominant that calling these businesses Jewish-controlled is little more than a statistical observation." The most popular movement in America is what is called "Neoconservatism." Goldberg shows that the Neocon think tank was dominated from the start back in the sixties by ex-Marxists, most of whom were Jews. Aside for its disparaging of liberals and the media in general, it is basically a re-hash of Marxism popularized in the sixties, but made more efficient. Neoconservatives do not want to do away with the welfare state, but want to make it more efficient, and it is known as "kosher conservativism" because of its unconditional support for the State of Israel.
Rating:
Summary: "Inside the American Jewish Establishment"
Review: JEWISH POWER by obviously liberal journalist J. J. Goldberg describes the influence of America's Jewish community in influencing the US government. There are several problems with the book. It does not provide enough historical context and skims over some areas where Jews are either predominient (such as in Hollywood or textiles) or grossly represented out of proportion to the rest of the population (such as the mainstream media and Ivy League schools). Goldberg has a lot of ace to cover, and this is the type of book that might rile up that old demon "anti-Semitism" because it gives striking details on how much power the organized Jewish community wields (which includes Reform, Conservative and Orthodox synagouges plus the non-affiliated). But otherwise what Goldberg does say is worth the five stars. The vast majority of the book is about the ins-and-outs of Jewish 'alphabet soup' organizations, AIPAC's lobbying for Israel and its silencing of opponents, and a lengthy analysis of the conflicts between blacks and Jews from the mid-70s. Jews form the most consistently liberal segment of the US population, and Democratic canidates for President have usually been able to command roughly 80% of the Jewish vote. One-half of the white civil rights leaders that went to the South were Jews, the NAACP was formed and directed by Jews into the mid-60s and Jews have been consistently leading the fight for "seperation of church and state" (i.e. demoralizing Christians). 50% of the Democratic party's money comes from Jewish contributers. This can be decieving, because the Jewish swing vote can influence elections, hence the Republican party also tries to drum up Jewish support, and 20% of Republican money comes from Jews. Although the section about Jews in the media is far too brief and cursory, it mentions the NEW YORK TIMES as being the front voice for current Jewish opinions (1/3 of the TIMES' readership is estimated as Jewish anyway) and 1/4 of major editors for news magazines are Jewish. As for the perennial rumors of Jews controlling the media and Hollywood in particular, consider this quote from page 280: "And in a few key sectors of the media, notably among Hollywood studio executives, Jews are so numerically dominant that calling these businesses Jewish-controlled is little more than a statistical observation." The most popular movement in America is what is called "Neoconservatism." Goldberg shows that the Neocon think tank was dominated from the start back in the sixties by ex-Marxists, most of whom were Jews. Aside for its disparaging of liberals and the media in general, it is basically a re-hash of Marxism popularized in the sixties, but made more efficient. Neoconservatives do not want to do away with the welfare state, but want to make it more efficient, and it is known as "kosher conservativism" because of its unconditional support for the State of Israel.
Rating:
Summary: Not So Powerful
Review: Jewish Power was probably written in reaction to books about Israel and Jewish politics like They Dare to Speak Out which author J.J. Goldberg considers to be overwrought fantasies. He gives his evidence showing that Jews do have considerable influence on politics, but not as much as Gentiles think and not as little as Jews think. He shows why he thinks that the Isreal and Jewish political organizations aren't that strong. He shows why many think that the American media is actually anti-Israel. He shows the fractiousness and disorganization of Jews in which they are just as quick call each other names as outsiders, which I suppose is presented to dispel speculations that the Jews are a united political force. However he does say that American Jews have been put under a lot of pressure to support Israel's policies no matter what and not criticize them. The book is most interesting in the beginning and near the end. In the beginning, he talks about President Bush Sr.'s remark about being "up against powerful political forces" when he was trying to make peace in Israel. This was considered to be a shaded antisemitic statement that may have had an adverse effect on his last run for election given the Jewish swing vote and huge monetary contributions to elections. Half of the Democrat's campaign money for major elections come from such generosity and even a good deal of Republican's, Goldberg claims. Of course, this fact is not mentioned much since this fuels conspiracy theories. The interesting part in the end is the one in which Goldberg explores the split between the blacks and Jews in the mid-seventies over affirmative action. The Jews were against quotas and the blacks were not; the blacks felt betrayed by the Jews and therefore betrayed them in kind since I think the blacks need quotas more than the Jews. He covers the anti-Semitism or the criticism against the Jews of black leaders such as Jesse Jackson, Leonard Jefferies, and Louis Farrakan. Sometimes this book can be boring as the reader wades through the coverage of the myriad of Jewish alphabet soup organizations and their leaders along with special interest group legislation that they support. Since Goldberg's premise is that Jewish politics isn't terribly powerful, it does not have the sensational appeal of the muckraking exposes. It also would have been a more effective account if the author would have confronted some more of what other more critical books were saying, such as the claim that Israel's military attacked the our USS Liberty. I wasn't entirely convinced with his arguments, but he gave it his best shot.
Rating: 
Summary: Informative but Labored
Review: Mr. Goldberg obviously worked and worked at this book. It is chock full of information, some of it now dated. But mainly, one can see the seams, the labor in the writing, which makes for labored reading. Not recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Jewish Power
Review: Simply focusing on the subject of Jewish power raises suspicions of anti-Semitism and conspiracy theories. Goldberg dispels the fear by carefully and clearly separating statistical observations from irrational and erroneous conclusions. It is indisputable that Jews are represented far beyond their average population in the media and in Hollywood. It would be a terrible mistake to conclude that this means that they control the content, or worse that they use this power to intentionally attack Christian values or stereotype blacks. In fact the Jews in America are anything but united. Outsiders may see a single Jewish community but this is a common ethnocentric error. Jewish power in American politics is not the result of conspiracy, but the result of demographics and using their basic American rights. Jews are twice as likely to vote as the average population. That alone doubles their impact but still leaves them a small minority of the voters. They are also far more likely to fund their candidates and political causes, and to actively volunteer their time. But most importantly the Jews in America are concentrated in the eight states that account for almost half of the electoral votes. Goldberg points out how this very real power is felt in elections and in domestic and foreign policy, but also that it is not centrally controlled. It is ironic to note that aid to Israel increased far more under Republican presidents than Democrats even though the American Jews have been far more identified with the left and the Democrats (within a widely varying degree). The book contributes valuable insight into the dynamic between the Blacks and the Jews in America, and the changing relationship with Israel as the Jewish nation develops both more independence and their own internal frictions. "Jewish Power" ties statistics and data together with the author's perceptions and insights to give it real meaning and value. It is an excellent explanation of why such a small group has such influence. But more importantly Goldberg explains it is not from any conspiracy or secret agenda; it is from a profound respect for freedom and the American political institutions.
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