Last night, before Vice President Biden motorcaded to the Capitol for the President’s big speech on health care, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden hosted about 100 Jewish leaders and friends at his residence in honor of Rosh Hashanah. Among those present were OU Exec. VP Emeritus Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb and IPA director Nathan Diament, as well as Israeli Ambassador and Mrs. Michael Oren, Governor and Mrs. Markell of Delaware and leaders of many other Jewish organizations.
Vice President Biden was in good humor – joking about how the residence’s pool, installed by Dan Quayle, has made Mr. Biden a “hero” to his grandchildren – and gracious in his appreciation for the significance of Rosh Hashanah and the contributions of Jews to American life. (Not to mention, the strictly kosher fare, which included apple “popsicles” and honey, was delightful.)
Tomorrow, Biden will participate in the September 11 memorial service in New York . He will deliver a reading during the ceremony, which has traditionally included former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Mayor Mike Bloomberg, as well as families of victims.
President Bush and candidates John McCain and Barack Obama have visited the site before and after the ceremony, but this will be the first time a sitting president or vice president has participated in the speaking program.
{Elisha Ferber-Matzav.com Newscenter}
