WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama hosted close friends and staff at a private White House meal Thursday evening to mark Passover. It's part of the new president's effort to reach out to Jewish voters.
The White House said the Seder meal was traditional, including matzo, bitter herbs, a roasted egg and greens in the family dining room in the executive mansion. The evening also featured the reading of the Haggadah, the religious text of the holiday.
Passover began at sundown Wednesday. It celebrates the Jewish exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery.
Among those invited was Valerie Jarrett, one of Obama's closest advisers, and family friend Eric Whitaker, who was visiting from Chicago and attended a Seder last year with the campaign. First lady Michelle Obama and the family's two daughters also planned to attend.
The staff guest list included aides from the campaign trail who marked last year's Passover at the Sheraton hotel in Harrisburg, Pa. Obama's personal aide, Reggie Love; Michelle Obama's deputy chief of staff, Melissa Winter; personal aide Dana Lewis and associate social secretary Samantha Tubman all received invitations.
Also on the guest list were Eric Lesser, a personal aide to senior adviser David Axelrod, and his family. Lesser worked during the New Hampshire primary and later handled baggage for traveling reporters. White House videographer Arun Chaudhary — a constant presence on the trail — landed invitations for his family.
Others in the exclusive group included Michelle Obama's counsel and friend Susan Sher; Herbie Ziskend, a staff assistant to Vice President Joe Biden's policy and economic advisers; and White House deputy director of advance and special events Lisa Kohnke.
White House aides said they believe it was the first president-hosted Seder at the White House.
3 comments:
Memo to Obama White House on "The Jewish" -- re The Seder email ...1 hour ago by dan
MEMO to OBAMA EMAIL STAFF: Christians are called Christians, yes, but Jews are not called "the Jewish".....they are called "Jews". ''Christian'' can be both a noun and an adjective, but Jewish can only be an adjective. ...
Northward Ho - http://northwardho.blogspot.com/
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Memo to Obama White House on "The Jewish" -- re The Seder email memo: OOPS!
Funny, LOL, a non-Jewish (-adjective-) memo-writer at the Obama White House wrote in the daily schedule email on April 9th, 2009, re the Obama seder at the White House that made national news and why some Jewish groups and inviduals outside Washington wanted in: "Apparently, the Jewish here and in neighboring states are now calling and wondering why they have not been invited.."
MEMO to OBAMA EMAIL STAFF: Christians are called Christians, yes, but Jews are not called "the Jewish".....they are called "Jews". ''Christian'' can be both a noun and an adjective, but Jewish can only be an adjective. There is no such thing as "the Jewish", got it?
Oi. Is that how the Schvartzes call the Jews? Even in this day and age? Still?
Dedicated to the blessed memory of my father, יהושע בן ישראל ע''ה
I like that. my Dad passed away 5 years ago, made it to 90. taught me everything i know. rest in peace, bernie bloom!
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