LIKE JAMES BAKER SAID...:

A White (House) Chanukah: Some leaders of Jewish organizations were miffed that the White House chose to meet with a hand-picked group of rabbis -- and predominantly Orthodox ones at that -- rather than appointed heads of leading Jewish groups, as is usually the custom. (Debbie Maimon, 12/20/04, Jewish World Review)

Some leaders of Jewish organizations were miffed that the White House chose to meet with a hand-picked group of rabbis —and predominantly Orthodox ones at that —rather than appointed heads of leading Jewish groups, as is usually the custom.

"The predominance of Orthodox members in the meeting indicated the president's identification with Jews who practice their religion," said Rabbi E.B. Freedman of Detroit, who worked on getting out Michigan's Jewish vote for Bush in November's election. He and his wife attended the White House Chanukah party and were deeply impressed with President Bush's obvious efforts to accommodate his Orthodox guests.

"The president is a religious man who cherishes religious beliefs and values in others as well. Never before have Jews felt so at home in the White House," Rabbi Freedman said. That feeling was palpable when a spontaneous minyan (religious service) for afternoon prayers formed after the meeting's conclusion, and again, when about thirty people later assembled for Evening Prayers in the Red Room.

"There is a strong sense that in the Bush White House, prayer is looked upon very warmly," Rabbi Freedman commented. He said that when shaking the president's hand, he told Bush that he recites Psalm 120 for him daily. "That is the best gift you could give us," President and Mrs. Bush responded.

Like the NAACP, such Jewish organizations are stumped by a flak-catcher who won't be mau-maued.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 20, 2004 11:06 AM