Esther Feuer Panitch (born October 14, 1971) is an American politician serving as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives in the state of Georgia. Elected in November 2022 election, Panitsch took office in January 2023. She is the only Jewish member of the Georgia House of Representatives for the 157th Georgia General Assembly.
Political career
In February 2022, Panitch announced her campaign for the Georgia House of Representatives District 51 seat after Mike Wilensky, the only Jewish member of the Georgia General Assembly, announced that he would not seek re-election. The District 51 seat was open after being vacated by Josh McLaurin, who was running for the Georgia State Senate.[1]
After winning the Democratic primary, Panitch defeated Republican nominee Peter Korman in the November general election. Both Panitch and Korman are Jewish, ensuring that the 157th Georgia General Assembly would have at least one Jewish member.[2]
In January 2023, Panitch invited Miriam Udel, a Yiddish professor at Emory University, to become the first female orthodox rabbi to give the opening prayer at the Georgia House of Representatives.[3] After the Goyim Defense League distributed antisemitic fliers in February 2023 in suburban Atlanta, including at Panitch's home, she sponsored a bill that would adopt IHRA definition of Antisemitism as Georgia law.[4] In January 2024, Georgia governor Brian Kemp signed the bill into law, making Georgia the 11th state in the United States to adopt the definition of antisemitism. Before the signing ceremony, Panitch was sent an antisemitic postcard containing antisemitic slurs and a reference to "gassing the Jews."[5]
Personal life
Panitch was born in Miami, Florida and grew up in North Miami Beach.[2] She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Miami in 1992 and her Juris Doctor in 1995.[6]
After law school, Panitch worked as an assistant public defender in Miami-Dade County from 1997 to 2002. She then opened her own law practice before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2004. Before opening her own private law practice in Dunwoody in 2007, she worked at the Fulton County Conflict Defender's Office.[6]
Panitch met her husband Roger in 1997 on a mission for the Jewish Federation. They have two sons and one daughter.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Esther Panitch | 12,754 | 55.8 | |
| Republican | Peter Korman | 10,106 | 44.2 | |
| Total votes | 22,860 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Esther Panitch | 2,069 | 53.3 | |
| Democratic | Erendira Brumley | 1,811 | 46.7 | |
| Total votes | 3,880 | 100.00 | ||
References
- ^ Jaben, Jan (2022-02-11). "Esther Panitch and Betsy Kramer Seek Public Office". Atlanta Jewish Times. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
- ^ a b Schechter, Dave (2022-07-13). "Jewish Candidates Insist Jabs Are Not Personal". Atlanta Jewish Times. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ Glass, Alina (2023-02-23). "Udel makes history as first female orthodox rabbi to open prayer at state legislature". The Emory Wheel. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ Amy, Jeff (2023-02-07). "State lawmaker vows legislative action after antisemitic flyers hit Atlanta suburbs". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ Kprnbluh, Jacob (2024-01-31). "Georgia's sole Jewish legislator targeted with antisemitic postcard prior to bill signing". The Forward. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ a b Schaffner, John (2011-05-29). "Dunwoody attorney in forefront of Sneiderman case". Appen Media. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Esther Panitch". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
