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Blog Posts Related to the American Jewish Community

Learn more about the President's work with the Jewish American community.

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President Obama to Address AIPAC Policy Conference

President Obama will address the annual AIPAC Policy Conference on Sunday, March 4th.
February 22, 2012 at 5:27 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

Readout of the National Security Advisor’s Trip to Israel

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon visits Israel, where he and his delegation address the full range of security issues of mutual concern.
February 20, 2012 at 4:08 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

Budget in Focus - Aid to Israel

The President reaffirmed his rock solid support for Israel in his FY13 budget proposal. This $3.1 billion commitment is the largest pledge of foreign aid to Israel in history.
February 14, 2012 at 4:52 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

USDA commemorates the “New Year of the Trees”

Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Harris Sherman, Under Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, joined members of the Washington, DC Jewish community to mark Tu B'shevat by planting a tree in front of the US Department of Agriculture building.
February 8, 2012 at 5:25 PM ET by Max Finberg

Making ‘Never Again’ a Reality: UNESCO Conference on Holocaust Education

Statement from U.S. Envoy Hannah Rosenthal on Holocaust Education
February 7, 2012 at 12:12 PM ET by Hannah Rosenthal

Statements on International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

President Obama, Ambassador Susan Rice, and Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
January 30, 2012 at 12:38 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

Highlights from the State of the Union

Highlights from the State of the Union
January 30, 2012 at 8:34 AM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel

President Obama speaks with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, and the President reaffirms his commitment to the goal of a comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.
January 12, 2012 at 2:32 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

Signed into law, H.R. 1540, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012" includes provisions related to Iran.
January 5, 2012 at 12:38 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

Hanukkah at the White House: History of the 2011 Menorah

Watch this video that tells the story of the lamp at the center of this year's White House Hanukkah celebration, which was created in a displaced persons camp following WW2 and dedicated to an American general
December 26, 2011 at 9:02 AM ET by Colleen Curtis

Watch the White House Kitchen Get "Kosherized" for Hanukkah

Go behind the scenes as the White House kitchen gets a kosher makeover for the holiday
December 20, 2011 at 10:35 AM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

Susan Rice at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations

Ambassador Susan Rice addresses a reception for the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and speaks about the United States' partnership with Israel.
December 19, 2011 at 1:27 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

President Obama Speaks to the Union for Reform Judaism

President Obama delivers the keynote speech at the 71st General Assembly of the Union for Reform Judaism.
December 19, 2011 at 11:43 AM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

Four-Leaf Clover, Out of this World

NASA Astronaut Dr. Gregory Chamitoff takes a four-leaf clover into Space for President Obama.
December 19, 2011 at 11:27 AM ET by Danielle Borrin

A White House Hanukkah Celebration

Officially, Hanukkah doesn't begin for another 11 days -- but last night, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama decided to kick things off a little early with a celebration of the holiday at the White House.
December 9, 2011 at 3:55 PM ET by Matt Compton

In the Heart of Motor City, Vice President Biden Addresses Yeshiva Beth Yehuda

In Detroit, Vice President Biden speaks at the Yeshiva Beth Yehuda Anniversary Dinner and emphasizes the "unshakeable" bond between the United States and Israel.
November 18, 2011 at 10:01 AM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

Ensuring Israel's Qualitative Military Edge

Andrew Shapiro, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the State Department, speaks to The Washington Institute for Near East Policy about the U.S.-Israel relationship and current issues in the Middle East.
November 17, 2011 at 5:27 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

An Exciting Week in American Jewish Life

Jewish Outreach Director Jarrod Bernstein speaks to the Agudath Israel of America Legislative Breakfast in New York and travels to Denver for the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America.
November 14, 2011 at 1:00 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

A Great First Week as the New Director of Jewish Outreach

Jarrod Bernstein, Director of Jewish Outreach at the Office of Public Engagement, reflects on his first week in the Office of Public Engagement.
October 28, 2011 at 4:54 PM ET by Jarrod Bernstein

L’Shana Tovah

As the Jewish community here in the United States and all over the world gather to celebrate the start of the new year, President Obama sends a greeting for the High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah offers us an extraordinary sense of possibility because it provides us an opportunity to shape our world for the better.
September 27, 2011 at 12:08 PM ET by Danielle Borrin

Organizations Respond to President Obama's Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction

President Obama's plan for economic growth and deficit reduction details how to pay for the American Jobs Act while also paying down our debt over time. Organizations are adding their voices of support to the conversation.
September 21, 2011 at 10:51 AM ET by Jon Carson

The American Jobs Act and Nonprofits

From convening support groups and prayer services to providing child care, teaching job skills, and putting Americans back to work, nonprofit and faith-based groups are supporting working families across the country. Learn how the American Jobs Act will support the important work they do.
September 16, 2011 at 5:43 PM ET by Melody Barnes

JCC Grows (Gardens)!

The Jewish Community Centers Association has taken on the First Lady’s Let’s Move Faith and Communities gardening challenge. Their JCC Grows initiative encourages members to start gardens and other fresh food access projects for the benefit of their community.
September 15, 2011 at 2:35 PM ET by Julie Curti

President Obama Directs New Atrocity Prevention Measures

A new tool to strengthen our ability to prevent genocide and other crimes against humanity.
August 6, 2011 at 7:04 PM ET by Samantha Power, David Pressman

Jewish Social Justice Leaders Attend the White House Community Leaders Briefing Series

The Community Leaders Briefing series is a unique opportunity for grassroots leaders to start a two way dialogue with the White House about issues that are affecting their communities.
August 4, 2011 at 2:50 PM ET by Danielle Borrin

Jewish Community Roundtable in Silicon Valley

DOT Assistant Secretary Polly Trottenberg meets with groups in Los Gatos, California and discusses a wide range of issues affecting their communities.
June 30, 2011 at 4:12 PM ET by Polly Trottenberg

“If You See Something, Say Something” Campaign Partners with Jewish Community

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano stops by the White House to launch the "When You See Something, Say Something™” campaign's first faith-based partnership with the Jewish community, focused on shared responsibility to help keep all of our communities safe.
June 10, 2011 at 7:16 PM ET by Danielle Borrin

President Obama Honors Jewish American Heritage: "The Jewish People Have Always Persevered"

The President welcomes some of the most influential people of our time to the White House, from Members of Congress and Supreme Court Justices to Elie Wiesel.
May 17, 2011 at 6:13 PM ET by Jesse Lee

Repair the World: USDA Hosts its First Food and Justice Passover Seder

Max Finberg, Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, describes the Department's "Food and Justice Passover Seder."
May 9, 2011 at 11:13 AM ET by Max Finberg

Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights? Recipes for Passover

The President and First Lady host a small Seder and Jewish chefs from around the country share their favorite recipes for celebrating Passover.
April 18, 2011 at 3:36 PM ET by Danielle Borrin