Jennifer Siegel at the Foward in New York has an interesting take on Michael Bloomberg-a self-described “short Jewish billionaire in New York”-and how he has won the hearts and minds of Jewish New York.

Bloomberg, who is maybe/maybe not mulling a run for the White House, is what you might call a nominal Jew. He attends a high-profile Reform synagogue on the high holidays but doesn’t go around talking about his bubbe or his love of noodle kugel, as one New York pol noted.

Siegel writes:

Bloomberg the mayor has transformed himself into a politician whom the vast majority of New York Jews can get behind, even though he does not present himself as a typically “Jewish” politician. It’s a characteristic that some say could prove beneficial if the mayor – who derides himself as “a short, Jewish billionaire from New York” – launches the independent bid for the White House that is suggested by his recent decision to quit the Republican Party.