Obama cancels GA for Fort Hood, will meet leaders

This just in from the staff running the federations GA in Washington this week: President Obama had to cancel to attend a memorial service in Fort Hood, Texas, where 13 people were gunned down on Thursday. Here’s the release.

We have learned that due to the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas, President Obama will not be able to attend the GA. President Obama sent his regrets, but explained he will be attending a memorial service at Fort Hood this Tuesday, Nov. 10, when he was originally scheduled to address the GA.

We are fortunate that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will address the GA on behalf of the Obama Administration. In addition, a small group of top leaders from The Jewish Federations will meet with President Obama at the White House.

We offer our  prayers and sympathies to the families of the victims of the attack in Texas,  and stand with our brave service personnel at home and abroad.

The 2009 GA  offers an inspiring agenda featuring a range of VIPs including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Israeli Opposition Leader Tzipi  Livni, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren, Jewish Agency  Chair Natan Sharansky, JDC CEO Steven Schwager, and many other luminaries.

This year’s GA breakout sessions, from forums to workshops, offer provocative  discussions and learning on a wide array of topics critical to the Jewish  Federations of North America, from fundraising in challenging economic times to
utilizing new technologies to better meet Jewish needs around the world.

More than 3,000  people are participating in the 2009 GA. We are honored and excited to be getting under way, and look forward to seeing many of you here in  Washington.

With thanks,
Kathy Manning,
chair of the executive committee, The Jewish Federations of North America

Jerry Silverman,
president and CEO, The Jewish Federations of North America