9/2010 - JACPAC President Attends New Year Reception at Biden Home
September, 2010
Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden hosted about 100 Jewish leaders and friends for a Rosh Hashanah reception at the Vice Presidential residence in Washington, DC Tuesday evening. Among those present were Israeli Ambassador and Mrs. Michael Oren, Rabbi David Saperstein, the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and leaders of many other Jewish organizations JACPAC was represented by President Gail Yamner and Morris Yamner and former President Betsy Sheerr.
Vice President Biden welcomed everyone and made brief remarks about the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks that began last Thursday. He said this is the moment for real peace, not a hollow one. He spoke of his belief that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Abbas were ready and could lead their people into an agreement that would give Israel the secure peace that it must have. He invited everyone to come again next year for what he hoped would be a celebration of peace.
According to Yamner, “While there was a wide diversity of views represented, there was a sense that maybe this is the time. That is the right window of time for Israel and the Palestinians to move forward and find a solution that gives Israel a safe homeland.”
Yamner also was happy to report that when the Vice President learned that she was the new JACPAC president, he warmly embraced her and said that he loved JACPAC and that JAC was there for him whenever he ran. He spoke glowingly of the work that JACPAC does. Past President Betsy Sheerr noted: "Joe Biden is and always has been a great friend of the Jewish community. It was a testament to this relationship that so many from all over the country came to the Biden home on erev-erev Rosh Hashanah, even those of us worrying about finishing up our matzo balls and brisket!"
Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC) is known as the pro-Israel PAC with a domestic conscience. A national bipartisan membership network founded in 1981, JACPAC is committed to the United States-Israel relationship and a progressive domestic agenda that includes reproductive choice and separation of religion and state. JACPAC contributes to candidates for the US House and Senate who share these values; JACPAC maintains a dialogue with those it helps elect.
