Stanley: “Obama’s First 100 Days: A Jewish Perspective”

Aaron Keyak — April 29, 2009 – 10:21 am | Barack Obama | Democrats | Domestic Policy | Economy | Energy | Environment | Foreign Policy | Israel | Women's Issues Comments (2) Add a comment

Marc R. Stanley, NJDC’s Chairman, has a piece in the Huffington Post, “Obama’s First 100 Days: A Jewish Perspective.”

Here’s how it begins:

During his first 100 days in office, the American Jewish community has already taken great pleasure with the performance of President Barack Obama. He has begun to develop a deep and substantive relationship with the Jewish community by, among other things, hosting the first presidential Seder, creating strong outreach with our community, and working on key domestic and international issues of interest to American Jews. Impressively, in less than three and a half months, the Obama administration has already made marked progress with progressive policies that are important to our community: the economy, Israel, the Middle East, reproductive rights, renewable energy, and stem cell research.

The aforementioned Seder caused quite a buzz in our community. Not only was it the first presidential Seder in our nation’s history, but it has become symbolic of the intimate and deep relationship our president has with our community (I must have received 50 photos of the Seder from friends and family). Not only has the President embraced one of our most important rituals, he has comforted us as a community by including in his administration individuals with whom we have long-standing, close relationships. Obama has put together a dream team of excellent advisors and appointments, several of whom are members of our faith.

As a community, we are grateful that the President has spoken out loudly against hate and intolerance. Last week, President Obama spoke at the Holocaust Days of Remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol and called on Americans to “contemplate the obligations of the living” and fight against “those who insist the Holocaust never happened, who perpetrate every form of intolerance.” Earlier this month, under his direction, the U.S. boycotted a vehemently anti-Israel United Nation’s conference on racism (Durban II).

Being a leader in the Jewish community during the Obama administration means more than just being invited to Hanukkah parties and events at the White House. Thus far, the Obama administration has made a concerted effort to communicate with and involve our community in major policy decisions. For example, the administration briefed Jewish community leaders on regular high-level conference calls during the formulation of policy toward Durban II. Before then, the administration invited community leaders to participate in a hour-long conference call with George Mitchell, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East. The conversation was substantive, candid and meaningful. Those on the call were impressed by both Mitchell’s grasp of the issues and his attentiveness to the participants’ questions.

In these first 100 days, the most senior members of this administration not only reached out to the Jewish community, they listened. Although Obama’s critics continue to search for ways to prove that he is anti-Israel, their message lacks substance and has very little resonance within the wider Jewish community.

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