Chicago’s Next Mayor
Chicago has elected former White House chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel as its next mayor. When Emanuel takes office, he will be the first Jew to lead the city.
You’re asking, maybe, “so what’s new?”
Chicago’s mayor is a Jew,
The very first to reach that post,
A feat of which the tribe may boast.
We speak of Rahm Emanuel,
A rising star! We wish him well!
He was a guy who took no gaff
As prez Obama’s chief-of-staff.
He’s well known for his salty tongue
When he’s with fellow-pols among.
(His sodium — a paradox! —
Might stem from love of salty lox.)
In Jewish circles, people kvell
About this staunch Emanuel.
In Hebrew, that name is a plus,
It translates into “God’s with us.”
The Windy City, wild and rough,
Responds to leaders who are tough.
The nickname “Rahmbo” suits him well,
We here proclaim, in doggerel.
Let congregants, with joyous psalm,
Salute their standard-bearer, Rahm.
He might some day (who can foretell?)
Pursue a post in Israel.
“Mayor of Tel Aviv,” let’s say,
Would look good on his resumé.
He’d govern there Chicago-style,
Supported by the rank-and-file.
Perhaps instead he would opt for
The status of ambassador.
Then U.S.A. he’d represent
Sent there by our own president.
A novelty he’d be, at that,
A blunt, blue-language diplomat!
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
