LOCAL JEWS HOPE RELIGION WON'T TURN INTO NEGATIVE.

Byline: Jordan Smith  Staff Writer

Los Angeles area Jewish leaders and residents praised the historic choice of Sen. Joseph Lieberman as Al Gore's vice presidential running mate Monday, but also said it will test the strength of anti-Semitism in the country.

The Connecticut senator is the first Jew nominated for a role in the White House, symbolizing an assimilation of Jews into society but providing a possible outlet for anti-Semitism in the nation, Jewish leaders said.

Some said they fear anti-Jewish sentiments would be enough to hurt the Democrats' chance to win the general election in November.

``It's a little frightening because it could stir the flame of anti-Semitism and I would hate to see factions call sides - not about the man, but because he's a Jew,'' said 76-year-old Shelley Greenspan, a resident of the Jewish Home for the Aging's Grancell Village in Reseda.

``It could become fractious and that's the politics that frightens me in general. (Gore) is doing a wonderful thing, but I hope it doesn't hurt him in the end,'' she said.

Most Jewish leaders across Los Angeles said they believe America is ready to embrace leaders based on issues and not personal religious beliefs.

``People are not going to vote for someone just because he's Jewish. Ultimately it's up to which of these guys would be the best president,'' said Steve Soboroff, a Republican who is a candidate for Los Angeles mayor.

``This is good, a very smart choice. I always vote for the best candidate regardless of party. But, again, these are vice presidential candidates.''

Other Jewish leaders agreed that issues and not religion will cast the deciding vote.

``People who are racist will challenge anything that is not pure Anglo-Saxon Protestant, but most Americans prize leadership, integrity and personal strength,'' said Rabbi Abner Weiss, former president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, and a longtime friend of Lieberman.

Weiss - who married Lieberman and his second wife, Hadassah, while a rabbi in Riverside, N.Y. - said the 58-year-old Lieberman is a man of great moral strength and an espouser of ``family values.''

``There are no skeletons in this cupboard, believe me, because I know his cupboard.''

He said he thinks the senator's integrity and leadership abilities are what is most important.

``He is of great intellect and integrity and is a reformer of the first order,'' said U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, D-Mission Hills. ``So the vast majority of Americans will not care if he's Jewish. We are past the point where this is a crucial issue in voting.''

Berman also noted that once again, the Democratic National Convention will take on historic importance in Los Angeles. The last time the city hosted the Democrats, in 1960, the first Roman Catholic, John F. Kennedy, was nominated for president.

``This is a most outstanding choice. It will put to rest forever the taboo that Jews can't run for the highest office,'' said Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance.

``This is a stroke of genius. I don't think any other candidate would engender this kind of reaction,'' he said. ``It really opens the doors of American politics.''

Eli Broad, the billionaire developer and financial management executive who was one of the leaders seeking to bring the convention to Los Angeles, praised Gore's selection of Lieberman.

``I have to say I was surprised by it, but it is superb selection,'' Broad said.

``The Republicans were all talking about Colin Powell being a running mate and if the country is ready to accept an African-American, I don't think there will be any problem with someone being Jewish.''

Jewish leaders also said they think Lieberman will help the Democrats attract voters in key states such as Florida and New Jersey, while maintaining Democratic strength in Midwestern states, which have fewer Jewish voters.

``I haven't traveled in the Midwest for a while, so I don't know, but we'll find out if we have to worry,'' said Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys. ``But it's his politics that are where the support is, so we're excited. It adds a lot of energy to the ticket.''

Hertzberg also cited CNN polls that report 94 percent of Americans said they would vote for a Jewish, Baptist or Catholic presidential candidate.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, in a statement, said Lieberman has been a pleasure to work with on Capitol Hill. He speaks his mind, she said, and has the ability to form bipartisan consensus on issues.

``In the Senate, he is respected for his independence, his civility and his ability to work with members on both sides of the aisle to forge bipartisan agreements,'' she said.

For 90-year-old Grancell Village resident Melvin Weintraub, it's that bipartisan appeal that matters most.

``He is more middle-of-the-road. He understands the needs of the country and will attack them in that fashion,'' he said. ``I've never heard anything contrary about him. He would make a wonderful vice president.''

Staff Writer Rick Orlov contributed to this story.