Two rabbis here weighed in on this question, and even though they come from different places on the spectrum of Judaism, their responses were remarkably similar – and similar to Podhoretz’s argument, too.

“There is almost a kneejerk reaction in the Jewish community to vote Democratic. It’s an emotional issue,” said Rabbi Ze’ev Smason of Nusach Hari B’nai Zion, a modern Orthodox congregation in Olivette.

“Social issues have always been important to Jews in this country,” Smason continued. “We remember when we didn’t have access to all facilities. That’s why there was a Jewish Hospital here in St. Louis. We believe in rooting for the underdog. None of that has left our consciousness. We have values of compassion and mercy.”

David Robertson, professor of political science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, agreed.

“The Jewish voter understands exclusion,” he said. “And they are going to vote to protect Medicare. They are concerned about fairness and justice. These are very important values for Jewish voters. They are very important.”

Bennett, of Shaare Emeth, who describes himself as very liberal, cautioned that “it’s far less automatic that Jews will vote liberal than it was a few years ago.”

He and other observers believe the loosening of Jewish affiliation to liberal causes, which usually mean those advocated by the Democratic Party and most of their candidates, is a result of success in the non-Jewish world, of more assimilation and of a lessening of overt anti-Semitism, such as restrictions against Jews in “the public square” and private facilities.

As one pointed out, three Jews sit on the U.S. Supreme Court; the other six are Roman Catholics.

Yet many Jewish voters and those who are politically aware are moved by what Bennett calls the “No. 1 core issue.”

“Jews historically and universally have advocated for taking care of the most unfortunate among us,” Bennett said. “This is directly from the Torah. We are instructed to care for the most vulnerable and see that their needs are met. That is one of, if not the most essential, core value.”

Bennett said this particular presidential election seems to be provoking more of his congregants—and friends and acquaintances – to want to talk about the stakes this time around.

“I counsel people to seek out their own core values,” he said. “I say they should ask themselves: What is most important to me?”

Furthermore, he said, the people he discusses the election with may not ask his advice as to how they should vote.

“People want to talk,” Bennett said. “People are struggling with how to reconcile their moral values with their own personal needs. They say, ‘Boy, this health care debate is really complicated. But we may have to be able to share what we have.’