Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin, a relative unknown to most Americans until she was named McCain's running mate this Friday, enjoys wide popularity in her home state and
the respect of the broader Jewish community there, Rabbi Yossi Greenberg, Chabad's representative to Alaska's Jewish community told Lubavitch.com. 'She's established a great relationship with the Jewish community over recent years, and has attended
several of our Jewish cultural gala events,' he said.
Palin has shown solidarity with Israel by signing a State of Alaska Resolution recognizing Israel's 60th
Anniversary and its relationship with Alaska. In the resolution, Governor Palin pointed to Alaska's special connection to Israel dating back to Alaska Airlines' participation in the rescue of 40,000 Yemenite Jews when it airlifted them from Yemen to Tel Aviv during
1948 and 1949.
Drafted by members of the Alaska Legislation and heavily supported by Speaker of the House, Representative John Harris, Governor Palin signed the resolution in the
presence of Alaska's Jewish community leaders this June.
According to Greenberg, Governor Palin had plans to visit Israel with members of the Jewish community,
which did not happen yet because of scheduling conflicts.
On a personal level, Greenberg was 'impressed by Governor Palin's remarks of hope and faith when she gave birth to a child with special needs.' Her words, he observed, were
completely aligned with Judaism's traditional views on embracing the birth of child with special needs as a gift of G-d, no less than is the birth of any baby.
Though Greenberg was unequivocal in stating that Chabad representatives do not endorse political candidates, and as spiritual leaders reach out to anyone regardless of
political affiliation, he did say, 'We all feel that the Governor is a remarkable, energetic, and good person.'
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