Here’s the statement from United Jewish Communities’ Kathy Manning on today’s White House meeting with Jewish leaders:
President Barack Obama met this afternoon in the White House with the top leadership of U.S. Jewish organizations. Kathy Manning, chair of the Executive Committee of UJC/Federations of North America and nominee for chair of the UJC Board of Trustees, participated in the meeting.
The meeting, held in the historic Roosevelt Room in the White House’s West Wing, covered a wide range of issues, including the U.S.-Israel relationship, creating an international framework to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions, other major issues in the Middle East, the economy, hunger, homelessness, and health care reform.
Manning issued the following statement:
It was a good, frank discussion with open dialogue. The president listened very carefully to the concerns and opinions expressed by the meeting participants. The president made it very clear that Israel’s security is paramount and that no action will be taken by his administration that will impede Israel’s right or ability to defend itself.
As the umbrella organization of North America’s Jewish Federations, UJC represents Jewish communities from coast to coast, so it is fitting that we had a prominent seat at the president’s table. It is always humbling to be in the presence of the President of the United States, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to discuss issues that are of critical importance to American Jews. Our inclusion in the meeting is further recognition of UJC’s vibrant presence in the halls of power and in the public policy debates in Washington.
