New Orleans Shluchim Convene with President Bush

On Tuesday evening, President George Bush met with a group of Jewish educators representing various Jewish groups in the U.S. One of these was Rabbi Zelig Rivkin, Shliach to New Orleans and director of the Torah Academy School in the city. In the White House meeting, Bush had R. Rivkin seated on his right and spoke about the importance of freedom of religious and democracy as it is illustrated in the struggle of the Maccabees on Chanukah. “Just as the Maccabees restored the Beis Hamikdash, these educators ensure that the Jewish heritage is sustained from generation to generation”, said the president. Recently, as you may recall, President Bush had praised the activities of Rabbi Rivkin during hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Following the meeting, the president hosted a pre-Chanukah party in the White House, held early due to the president’s vacation that falls out on Chanukah. The event opened with candle lighting and continued with a reception and a festive kosher meal supervised by Chabad. A selection of 200 public Jewish figures was present at this meal. The Chabad delegation was headed by Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov, chairman of the International Aguch, Rabbi Avrohom Korf, chief Shliach to Florida, Shluchim to Louisiana, Rabbi Rivkin and Rabbi Yossi Nemes, Shluchim to Virginia, Rabbi Shuki Deitch and Rabbi Yosef Kranz, Rabbi Yossi Posner of Alabama and, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Shliach to Washington D.C.