Blog Posts Related to the American Jewish Community

  • U.S.-Israel Cooperation Strengthens Security of Both Countries

    Posted by Warren Stern on March 8, 2012 at 11:27 AM EDT

    President Obama has stated that the most extreme threat to global security is nuclear terrorism. The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is one of the President’s main resources to combat this threat.

    In mid-January, I traveled with colleagues from DNDO to Tel Aviv, Israel, to observe a national-level Israeli Ministry of Defense exercise. The exercise explored detection and response capabilities surrounding a simulated Radiation Dispersal Device (RDD) (“dirty bomb”) terrorist attack. As one of President Obama’s key nuclear terrorism experts, I sought to advance our collective efforts to prevent and ultimately detect the illicit movement of nuclear and radiological material. 

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  • Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Israel in Speech to AIPAC Policy Conference

    Posted by Jarrod Bernstein on March 6, 2012 at 5:50 PM EDT

    Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

    U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a meeting at Blair House in Washington, D.C., March 5, 2012. (Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley)

    On Tuesday, March 6th, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta addressed the AIPAC Policy Conference where he reaffirmed President Obama's "commitment to maintain and expand Israel’s qualitative military edge." This speech follows Secretary Panetta's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, March 5th.

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  • President Obama to Address AIPAC Policy Conference

    Posted by Jarrod Bernstein on February 22, 2012 at 6:27 PM EDT

    From Press Secretary Jay Carney's Daily Press Briefing on February 21:

    First, we are pleased to announce that the President will address this year's annual AIPAC policy conference in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, March 4.  The President welcomes this opportunity to speak to the strength of the special bonds between Israel and the United States.  As you know and has been previously announced, the President has a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu on March 5th, the day after.

     

    Jarrod Bernstein is the Director of Jewish Outreach in the Office of Public Engagement.

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  • Readout of the National Security Advisor’s Trip to Israel

    Posted by Jarrod Bernstein on February 20, 2012 at 5:08 PM EDT

    Over the weekend, Tom Donilon, the National Security Advisor, visited Israel as part of the continuing high-level dialogue between the United States and Israel. The readout of the National Security Advisor's visit is below:

    National Security Advisor Tom Donilon concluded a three day visit to Israel today for consultations with senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Barak, Chief of the General Staff Gantz, and National Security Advisor Gen. Yaakov Amidror.  Mr. Donilon and his delegation addressed the full range of security issues of mutual concern.  The visit is part of the continuous and intensive dialogue between the United States and Israel and reflects our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security.  Mr. Donilon relayed to Prime Minister Netanyahu that the President looks forward to meeting with him at the White House on March 5.

    Jarrod Bernstein is the Director of Jewish Outreach in the Office of Public Engagement.

     

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  • Budget in Focus - Aid to Israel

    Posted by Jarrod Bernstein on February 14, 2012 at 5:52 PM EDT

    On February 13th, the President released his FY 13 Budget Proposal. Contained in that proposal is a rock solid commitment to Israel's security.  Informed by our ongoing high-level security dialogue with key Israeli defense and intelligence officials, the President has requested unprecedented support for Israel, even in a challenging fiscal climate.

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  • USDA commemorates the “New Year of the Trees”

    Posted by Max Finberg on February 8, 2012 at 6:25 PM EDT

    USDA Under Secretary Harris Sherman Speaks at a Ceremony for Tu B'Shevat

    United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Natural Resources and Environment Harris Sherman next to the freshly planted Dawn Redwood for the Celebration of Tu B’Shevat “The New Year of the Trees” event at the USDA Headquarters, Wednesday, February 8, 2012. (Photo by Lance Cheung, USDA)

    This post originally appeared on the US Department of Agriculture blog.

    It is written in the Talmud – a central text of Judaism – that ‘just as my parents planted for me, so I will plant for my children.’ Here at USDA, we’re planting trees across the country and in Israel to bring the wide-ranging benefits of trees, both ecological and spiritual, to future generations.

    Today, USDA Natural Resources and Environment Under Secretary Harris Sherman planted a tree next to the USDA’s Washington DC headquarters in commemoration of Tu B’Shevat, “The New Year of the Trees.” This event brought together the local Jewish community and government leaders alike to share their common bond of conserving our natural resources and leaving a healthier world for the next generation. 

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  • Making ‘Never Again’ a Reality: UNESCO Conference on Holocaust Education

    Posted by Hannah Rosenthal on February 7, 2012 at 1:12 PM EDT

    Ed note: This has been cross-posted from State.gov

    The weather in Paris today reflected the mood in UNESCO's conference room -- gloomy with a chance of sunshine. For just as the clouds were heavy, so too was the discussion of Holocaust education and how genocide and hatred still exist despite the global effort to teach the lessons of the Holocaust. And just as the sun poked through at the end of the day, so did the optimism that great minds can come together and tackle this problem.

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  • Statements on International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

    Posted by Jarrod Bernstein on January 30, 2012 at 1:38 PM EDT

    On Friday, January 27th, the United States joined the world community in commemorating the tragedies of the Holocaust on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Below are statements marking this day of remembrance from President Barack Obama and other administration officials.

    Statement by the President on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

    “Together with the State of Israel, and all our friends around the world, we dedicate ourselves to giving meaning to those powerful words: “Never Forget. Never Again.”

    Read the full text of President Obama’s statement here


    Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN

    “On this day of limitless grief, we honor those who suffered and died and keep faith with all who are tormented by demagogues and killers.”

    Read the full text of Ambassador Susan Rice’s statement here


    Remarks by Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN

    “There are actually some, incredible as it always seems, who would deny that this Holocaust took place, or seek to minimize it as simply another episode in the long story of mankind’s crimes. But evidence matters. There is more than enough of it. And it lasts. We will fight denial for as long as it takes.”

    Read the full text of Ambassador DiCarlo’s remarks here


    Jarrod Bernstein is the Director of Jewish Outreach in the Office of Public Engagement.