12/20/2011 JACPAC Leaders Attend White House Hanukkah Party

December 20, 2011

The Jewish community received a warm welcome from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michele Obama at the White House Hanukkah party Thursday, December 8th. Among those present were Vice President Joe Biden, Israeli Ambassador and Mrs. Michael Oren, Religious Action Center Director Rabbi David Saperstein, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, high-ranking members of the Administration and Jewish members of Congress. Marcia and Bruce Balonick and Dana and Lee Gordon, of Highland Park, were invited guests. Marcia is executive director of JACPAC and Dana is JACPAC’s director of membership and outreach.  Bruce Balonick is a lawyer and Lee Gordon, a financial services executive.

Observations from the President on the meaning of Hanukkah and the West Point Jewish Cadet Choir singing Rock of Ages (Maoz Tsur) marked the festivities.  Even the most jaded political activist, accustomed to attending rounds of receptions, seemed to enjoy the comfortable atmosphere and feel the unique and historic significance of the occasion.

“I was honored to be at the white house for Hanukkah. As Jews we realize the importance of the US-Israel relationship and the responsibility to take care of the issues here such as – environment, education, poverty, and women's rights,” said Dana Gordon, Director of Membership and Outreach for JACPAC.

Dana and Lee Gordon with Vice President Joe Biden
 
 
#   #   #
 
Contact:

Marcia Balonick, Executive Director or Dana Gordon, Membership and Outreach
Joint Action Committee (JAC), 847-433-5999
info@jointactioncommittee.org