In the January/February 2009 Moment Magazine, journalist David Frum writes about the fascinating topic of the large, disproportionate number of Jews in positions of political power in the United States. Whereas Jewish people constitute less than 2% of the US population, Jews account for nearly 10% of the House, more than 10% of the Senate, and a whopping 22% (2 out of 9 justices) of the Supreme Court.

Mr. Frum addresses the rising number of Jews who hold cabinet posts and/or maintain roles of influence on our president.

As Jewish people have found their way up the ladder of politics in America, we must wonder where we find appropriate role models in our history for the modern Jewish political leader to emulate.

Most biblical leaders, as Mr. Frum explains, such as the kings and judges, prophets and kohanim, lived and led exclusively in Jewish communities. Therefore, they offer no real example to Jewish political leaders of today, who live as a minority. On the other hand, we have the example of Joseph rising to power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. But Joseph was initially the only Jew in his country, again making his situation incomparable to today.

However, one biblical story does offer real role models for American Jews in positions of power—this is the story of Purim, and the leadership of Esther and Mordechai.

Like us, Esther and Mordechai are Jews who live, and are comfortable in the larger society. They sincerely are devoted to the needs of their secular community, reflected best in Mordechai’s proud act of thwarting a plot to assassinate the king, and in Mordechai’s eventual succession to Haman’s job. We know that Esther pleases the king, and with this king, one hint of being disloyal would have resulted in dismissal.

But Esther and Mordechai are also role models for balancing secular politics with intense support for the specific needs of the Jewish people. That is why Mordechai warns his cousin:

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.”

The message of the Purim story remains relevant today for the Jewish leaders of America. Finding the delicate balance between support for one’s country and responsibility to the Jewish people continues to be an essential challenge, not only to our brothers and sisters in positions of power, but to all of us.

As Hillel described our never ending struggle centuries ago, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I?”