Home | About the IPA | Public Statements | IPA in the News | Action Alerts | IPA Blog |  Washington Wire

ORTHODOX UNION LEADERS MEET WITH OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ON KEY ISSUES
September 16, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nathan J. Diament
202-513-6484
September 16, 2009

ORTHODOX UNION LEADERS MEET WITH OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ON KEY ISSUES
OU-IPA hosts its annual Leadership Mission to Washington, DC on September 14-15

National lay and rabbinical leaders of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (the “Orthodox Union” or “OU”) traveled to the nation's capital on September 14th and 15th for the Union’s annual Leadership Mission to Washington. The two-day mission was organized by the OU’s Institute for Public Affairs.

After a meeting of the Union’s Executive Committee, Monday’s Mission program was kicked off with a gala dinner honoring Mr. Elliott Abrams for his recently concluded service in government. Mr. Abrams served as the Deputy National Security Adviser to President George W. Bush and held responsibility for policy toward Israel. Mr. Abrams was presented with an award for his service to the United States, the Jewish community and the State of Israel. In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Abrams stated “the OU is to be commended for its principled advocacy that did not sway according to the prevailing political winds.”

On Tuesday, the delegation began its meetings with America's policymakers at The White House for briefings with senior Obama Administration officials. The Orthodox leaders were greeted by Valerie Jarrett, Senior Adviser to the President, and had briefing sessions with David Axelrod, Senior Adviser to the President; Dennis Ross, Senior Director for the Central Region on the National Security Council; and Joshua Dubois, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based Partnerships.

Among the key discussions of the White House sessions were the threat of Iran’s drive for nuclear weapons and the state of Obama Administration’s efforts to re-start Israeli-Arab peace talks, discussed with Dennis Ross.

Joshua Dubois discussed President Obama’s efforts to engage faith communities in key policy initiatives, including economic recovery.

And critical domestic policy issues – including the security of Jewish community institutions, energy efficiency proposals, healthcare reform and K-12 education initiatives – were discussed with David Axelrod.

This set of high-level White House briefings was facilitated and hosted by the White House’s liaison to the Jewish community Danielle Borrin, with whom the OU works very closely on behalf of the community.

From the White House, the OU leaders proceeded to Capitol Hill for the Leadership Mission’s annual Senate Luncheon. In a formidable demonstration of their high regard for the OU and its influence, many senators attended and addressed the luncheon. The group of lawmakers that spoke to the Mission participants included Senators Joe Lieberman (CT), Sam Brownback (KS), Ben Cardin (MD), Mike Johanns (NE), Bob Casey (PA), Chuck Schumer (NY), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), and Amy Klobuchar (MN). As at the White House briefings, the key issues of the threat of Iranian nuclear weapons, the U.S. – Israel relationship, and key domestic policy issues were discussed.

After the Senate luncheon, the Orthodox Union leaders held their final sessions with senior leaders of the House of Representatives: Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), the Republican Whip, and Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

At the Mission’s conclusion, OU President Steve Savitsky stated:

The Union’s work on behalf of the Orthodox Jewish community’s values and interests in the arena of public policy is one of many critical roles the organization plays in its work to serve American Orthodox Jewry.

Moshe Bane, chairman of the Union’s Institute for Public Affairs, added:

As representatives of the Orthodox Jewish community, we are very appreciative of the time the White House officials, Senators and Representatives spent with us discussing critical issues. We cherish the fact that this country affords us the opportunity to engage with them, as Orthodox Jews, on policy matters.


--

RSS Feed

The New York Office
11 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Tel: 212-613-8123 - Fax: 212-564-9058
E-mail: ipa@ou.org

The Washington Office
800 Eighth Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Tel: 202-513-6484 - Fax: 202-289-8936